Mauritius is a romantic island that offers a lot more than perfect beaches and honeymoons for Australian couples.
The island resorts, run by French managers, import French produce and are among the best in the world for service, cuisine and style. French style and French cuisine merge with tropical flavours.
Mauritians speak French and English. The bureaucracy uses English and legal requirements are simple so marriage certificates and papers are a breeze.
The health spas at Mauritian resorts are beautiful with hints of Middle Eastern, African and Indian architecture, gorgeous pools and health services informed by Aryuvedic medicine and contemporary French cosmetics training. The Indian population of Mauritius today practises Aryuvedic medicine. The Dinarobin Resort with a health spa by Clarins is just one of many resort spas specialising in French products and treatments.
Mauritius is a country with mountain ranges and waterfalls and a charming range of inland activities that includes visits to colonial 'plantation' houses, a large range of golf courses, river activities and forest walks. Visit the Weeping Rock or the Seven Coloured Earth. Mauritius is also a safe country and free of snakes, spiders and diseases.
Mauritius is a mosaic of Indian, European, Chinese and Creole cultures. It is an international destination that adds to its exoticism. Many celebrities holiday in Mauritius and several stars own beachfront houses.
French and European visitors mingle at the resorts with people of taste from South Africa and Australia. The scents and colours and sounds of Mauritius are gentle and exotic, like vanilla and sandalwood. Like tropical fruits in bustling street markets. Like white rum steeped in herbs and fruits. Local musicians excel in European classical, Indian classical and Mauritius’ own favourite, Sega music - an infectious blend of reggae and east African rhythms. At resorts they will serenade you in private.
The beaches are of a higher quality than Fiji or New Caledonia. The sheltered lagoon is wide and the waters are brilliant topaz and aquamarine. Resorts often provide water sports like water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, snorkelling and sailing free.
Many couples choose to get married on a yacht or a boat or on one of the nearby deserted tropical islands and have the reception on shore with live music, a bonfire and torches.
Mauritius is an intercontinental meeting point and has been an international port since the Dutch occupied it in 1598 followed by the French in 1710 and the English in 1810. Today it is a stopover in paradise between Europe, Africa and Australia.
For adventurous romantics, Mauritius is just a one-hour flight from Reunion Island, a principality of France, beautiful Rodrigues Island and exotic Madagascar. For couples who want a bit of nightlife outside of the capital, Port Louis, there are restaurants and bars at Flic en Flac and Grand Bay.
Mauritius is an eight-hour flight from Perth and connectivity through Virgin makes this Indian Ocean resort accessible to everyone anywhere in Australia.
Mauritian resort packages are great value because of how much they include. Standard packages include extraordinary smorgasbord breakfasts and dinners as well as a wide range of free water activities.
Discounts and packages for honeymoon and wedding or anniversary couples are very generous. All resorts offer discounts and many offer free spas, free nights, free upgrades and even a free wedding ceremony. Large baths and private spas with essential oils, champagne and flowers are mandatory.
For details about Mauritius visit
www.tourism-mauritius.mu or TWP Marketing & Communications, the representatives of Mauritius in Australia. For details of honeymoon and wedding packages contact your local travel agency.
Air Mauritius operates the only direct flights from Australia, from Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, with connections via Virgin Airlines. Call 1300 658 572. Or visit www.airmauritius.com
