Mauritius: all-inclusive at any time of year

Stunning powdery beaches, charming bays, tropical forests. It is hardly an exaggeration to assert that you will find all the prerequisites for a perfect holiday experience on Mauritius. An underwater stroll on the bottom of the sea? A day on a sailing boat followed by a picnic? A spa treatment in one of the first-class hotels? Enjoy the many choices and let your body and soul drift on this magical island: national parks, golf courses, crocodile farm or a visit to the famous Pamplemousse Botanical Garden: your appetite for discovery will be satisfied on Mauritius. Or, if you prefer, just take it easy and relax.

A picture-book holiday - first-class hotels, stunning beaches

More than 2000 km from the southeast coast of the African continent, 800 km east of Madagascar: everyday worries literally vanish in the distance. An island made to fulfil your dreams

Mauritius was discovered by Portuguese seafarers. After the Dutch had made first attempts to colonise the island, Mauritius was claimed by Guillaume Dufresne on behalf of the French King in 1715, but taken over by the English in 1810. In 1968, Mauritius finally became independent by treaty with Great Britain.

These varied influences characterise life on the island today. The official languages are English and French besides the lingua franca Creole which most of the islanders use to communicate with each other. In total, more than 22 languages are spoken on Mauritius - and visitors to the island are welcomed with that same level of tolerance and diversity.

Dazzling colours, exotic aromas and the gentle breeze of good fortune: Mauritius

Dive in to an underwater paradise whose inhabitants have sonorous names like parrot fish, trumpet fish and angel fish. Feel closer to this world than you ever have, between colourful coral reefs and long tentacle sea anemones, scallops and wrasses.

Or try the sweet juice of tropical fruit: ripe mangos, juicy papayas and wonderfully sweet bananas that have very little in common with the bananas you have tasted back home.

But the Creole cuisine is well worth savouring too, with curry dishes and fish soup brimming with flavours. Be surprised at how you will never tire of rice, which constitutes the staple diet on Mauritius: spices such as pepper, nutmeg, anise and vanilla, saffron, cayenne pepper and ginger unite in your mouth evoking a culinary feast of the senses.