Known by the Arab navigators since the 10^th century,Mauritius was officially discovered by the Portuguese in 1505. In the 17^th century the Dutch occupied the island and named it after Maurice van Nassau the stadhouder (?the one who conquers the place? in Dutch). At the beginning of the 18^th century, after the departure of the Dutch, the French named the island Isle de France before it was conquered by the British in 1810.

The island became independent in 1968 and a republic in 1992 with a democratic parliament inspired by the British model. The president is the Chief of State without executive powers and the Prime Minister heads the government.

Situated in the south west of the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 km from the African coast, Mauritius forms part of the Mascarene Reunion and Rodrigues. With a total surface area of 1,860 km?, the island presents 330 km of coast landand most of the beaches are protected by coral reefs. The Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone extends mostly over two million square kilometers of ocean. The highest peak, Piton de la Riviera Noire, culminates at 828 m.

The capital city of Port-Louis is situated north west of the island.

The Mauritian population ? about 1.2 million inhabitants ? is a rich human mosaic of various origins. Namely India, Africa, Europe and China.

English is the official language but Mauritians also speak Creole which is derived from French (also widely spoken) and sometimes Bhojpuri ? anancestral Indian language. The main religions have strongly settled in the island.

The temperature is mild in winter (from June to September) and quite warm in summer (from January to March), with a minimum temperature of 18?C and Maximum of around 30?C. the best times to be in Mauritius would be from April to June and From September to December. The cyclones prevail in summer and during this period there can be heavy rainfall while the trade winds blow more regularly in wintertime.

Unexpected resources

Surfing on the development trend, Mauritius has emerged as one of the most performing economies of the African continent. Textile, sugar, tourism and services are the island?s main pillars and it has earned an excellent reputation in the export of clothing and services. For a long time, exporting cane sugar on the international market ? mainly in Europe ? had been the main source of currencies for the island.

Sectors like information Technology and Communication are in full Sway and Mauritius also positions itself as a strong platform for international finance with a highly gateway between Africa and Asia, Mauritius is a member of regional organizations such as the South African Development community (SADC),the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Indian Ocean commission (IOC).

A dream holiday destination

Mauritius has always inspired poets. Charles Baudelaire, Bernardin de St Pierre, Mark Twain and many other authors and travelers have very often spoken about its image of paradise and its exceptional cultural and human melting pot.The first big hotel groups settled in Mauritius in the 70s, focusing on the pristine sea and beaches to make the island a dream holiday destination. Direct flights from Europe also gave an additional impulse to the hospitality industry.

Today Air Mauritius, the national airline, ensures direct and regular Connections towards various destinations including Europe and hubs (Paris and London) and Asia (India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore), as well as towards Australia, South Africa, Kenya and the neighboring islands of the Indian Ocean.Air France and British Airways were the pioneers in connecting with Mauritius,but nowadays, the Mauritian sky is open to other airlines such as South African Airways, Emirates, Corsairfly, Air Madagascar, Air Seychelles and Air Austral.For Indians the most economical airline is Air Mauritius with an excellent connectivity.

Mauritian beach resorts count amongst the most reputed throughout the world and welcome large numbers of regular clients as well as celebrities looking for personalized and exclusive service. Beachcomber Hotels and Sun Resorts were the pioneers of the local hotel industry, until other actors emerged, namely Lux* Resorts Attitude, Veranda Leisure Hospitality. Amongst the prestigious international brands, the destination is proud to host Constance Hotels, Indigo Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons Resort, Apavou Hotels ? Resorts and Spa, Club Mediterranee, Hilton Hotels &Resorts, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Inter Continental Hotels, Accor Hotels and Attitude Resorts.

The tourism industry also includes small hotels, bungalows, apartment sand other offers for accommodation. Many specialized agencies in the hospitality industry organize excursions and guided visits from the hotels where one can also rent cars and taxis.

Cultural Mauritius                                                                              

A MOSAIC NATION

Mauritius reveals itself as a surprising and unique human experience for any guest. While visiting the island, one often feels the heartbeat of a country that is unique, a true melting pot that bridges people from all over the world. Arriving in Mauritius, the visitor discovers a mixed population,born from various origins. The Mauritian population consists predominantly of Indians (Hindus, Tamils, Marathi, Muslims?) and shows a strong presence of creoles (from Madagascar and African origin with various degrees of cross-breeding), of Sino-Mauritians (from Chinese immigration) and Franco-Mauritians. A visitor, seeing this human kaleidoscope, even made the following comment: ?The only common link between Mauritians is that they don?t look like each other?

The Creole

Mauritius has the privilege of hosting people that have come from various horizons with about ten different home languages, but Creole has for meda bond for all. A real co-creation from the Malagasy and African slaves and the French masters, the Creole language translates a very creative vocabulary full of popular wit, Sega, its musical form of expression, also conveys its humor and joy of living.

Mauritius, an island of cross breed creativity

Mauritius is also an island here poets, writers, artists have been inspired by the power of coral fantasy, favoring the mix trends from the Indian Ocean elsewhere.

Arts & performance

Mauritian talents express cultural diversity on the stage and in the art galleries. Sculptors like Bhungsee and Nirveda Alleck, painters such as Khalid Nazroo, vaco Baissac, Amrita Dyalah, Nita Treebohum, Jocelyn Thomasse of Veronique Leclezio, photographers such as Pierre Argo or Tibye Sobha, film directors such as David constant in, Selvewn Naidu, Jon Rabaud of Nazim Sookia, choreographers like Anna Patten and Sanedip Bhimjee, Eva Caille or Tony Joseph and musicians such as Ti Frere, Kaya, Menwar or Eric Triton, all bring to this island vivid cultural forms of expression, inspired by French and English culture, now associated with new trends of cross-bred art.

Mauritius, a world of spiritual confluence

The Mauritian landscape embraces many shivalas, mandirs and temples,mosques, churches and pagodas? The island comes across to the visitors as a world without frontiers, a microcosm where faith and the greatest religions of humanity live together?

Religious festival

Religious festivals on the island are deeply rooted in Mauritian daily life. The streets are very often the chosen avenues for Chinese dancers, Cava Dee Tamil processions, Hindu pilgrimage to Grand Basin or Catholic pilgrimage to Pere Laval, as well as for Qurbani sacrifice, when the Muslims share the irriches with the less fortunate. Diwali expresses the victory of light over the bad. It is celebrated throughout the island, just like Christmas when all Mauritians share the shame festival sprit, with Father Christmas arriving by boat and distributing gifts under the flowering fire free.

Jerusalem under the tropics, Benares in the Indian Ocean, Little Arabia,a Buddhist and Taoist sanctuary under the Southern Cross? Here there is a real blend of humanity, with a diversified yet united cultural evolution? an island that is open to the present and to the future, a land that nurtures it sancestral reference but also lives up to emerging new humanities. A powerful diversity that is strongly inspired and always evolving.

Mauritius ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Clothes

Take your best beach and sports gear. In winter ( June to September ), alight pullover, jacket or other warm clothing could be needed for cooler evenings. Please show respect at religious sites by wearing appropriate clothes and by taking off shoes while visiting temples.

Customs

Passengers of more than 18 years old can come into the country with the following items: 250g of tobacco (cigars and cigarettes included), 1 litre of spirits,2 litres of wine, ale or beer, ? litre of cologne and perfume not exceeding 100ml.

A permit from the Ministry of Agriculture is needed prior to introduction of any plant cuttings, flower, bulb, fresh fruit, vegetable and seeds.

It is forbidden to introduce whole or parts of sugarcane, micro organisms of any sort and invertebrates. All animal or agricultural products need and import permit from the Ministry of agriculture and a health certificate from the country of origin.

Drug trafficking carries heavy penalties. Firearms and ammunitions must be accompanied with the necessary permits and declared upon arrival.

Money

International banks in Mauritius: HSBC, Barclays Bank, South East Asian Bank, Indian Ocean International Bank Ltd, Deutsch Bank.

Bank counters are open during arrivals and departures of international flights at Sir See woosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.

Banking hours:Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. and closed on Saturdays,Sundays and public holidays.

Credit Cards:Banks as well as most hotels, restaurants and shops in commercial centres accept credit cards.

On the road

Driving

In Mauritius, driving is on the left side of the road and priority is given to vehicles coming from the right. Visitors holding a legal driving license from the competent authorities in their respective countries can drive in Mauritius.

Transport

Public transport is available through bus companies throughout the country. Express bus services are offered from Port Louis towards the north,the south and the main towns. Taxis are available at the airport and from the hotel. To rent a car, it is recommended to contact recognized and licensed operators.

Health and safety

Medical services

Health is free in Mauritius in many hospitals and regional public health centres. Private clinics offer chargeable care.

A Tourism Police unit has been set up to reinforce security in the more touristic areas.

Please keep in mind these basic principles:

? Always keep an eye on your personal effects.

? Be careful when you with draw money from distributors.

? Avoid displaying valuable jewellery and do not leave your valuables in the car.

? For excursions and cruises, contact the recognized and licensed operators;

? Your passport, plane ticket, jewellery and money must always be under safeguard.

? Do not swim in the areas with the ?Dangerous bathing? sign.

Weddings and Honeymoons

Getting married in paradise?

You have always dreamed of getting married on the beach at sunset? Or in the midst of tropical nature surrounded with flowers and waterfalls?

You would love to count on a professional wedding planner to organize

everything and make this event a real magic moment.

Mauritius figures among the five top destinations in the world for newly we weds and young honeymooners. The stunning landscape and the warm tropical climate already set up the ideal d?cor while the welcoming populations always shows a soft spot for loving couples, which they will readily Welcome.

Most of the hotels have set full wedding and honeymoon pack ages, most of the time including the services of a professional wedding planner. This person takes charges of all the organization details and preparation according to your expectations while guiding you through the administrative procedures.

It is recommended to book as early as possible before the wedding date,as a minimum of one month is required to complete all required to complete all administrative procedures. A month is largely enough, in any case, for the planner to organize your wedding according to your dreams.

Upon your arrival, you will meet you wedding planner to finalize all the details. Apart from civil marriage, you can also choose to have a traditional religious wedding according to the Chinese or Hindu tradition. The Pundit(Hindu Priest), the temple, the fire ceremony, everything is included? Or you could also say ?I do? in the middle of a sparkling lagoon.

Clothes

Given the tropical climate of Mauritius, couples are advised to choose outfits and accessories that will make the day more agreeable, depending on the season.

Packing

Brides bringing their wedding dress are advised to wrap in a cloth, in a suitcase or a box marked ?Fragile?, before checking in at the airport. The box will then be stored in the special container for fragile pieces. Light gowns can be wrapped in a cardboard box and placed in the overhead luggage container on the plane.

Independent couples

Guest who are not residing in a hotel can call upon the services of an freelance wedding planner. Local ground handlers can also assist with the needed arrangements for independent travelers.

Honeymoon

If you are looking for a very special place for your honeymoon,Mauritius offers its beautiful landscape and an ideal choice through the full package offerings from our many hotels, which are always ready to give a treat to honeymooners. You can get in touch with team Plan Journeys for more information on Honeymoon tour packages to Mauritius and Mauritius travel offers.

THE REGIONS AND BEACHES

Port Louis

At the heart of the north west mountain range, Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, welcomes thousands of people every day, turning into a bustling administrative and commercial hub. It is still good to take a walk along its good to take a walk along its paved roads and to visit some of its many places of interest. The town hosts a number of historical sites and a cultural walk. The Central Market is an extraordinary place, full of life and colour. The Champ de Mars is the most ancient horse track in the Indian Ocean.The Citadel, a fort built on a hill, offers a beautiful view over the city.Picturesque Chinatown offers a large variety of quirky shops and the Water front extends its trendy shopping centres and restaurants around the harbor. In the afternoons, after the offices have closed, peace comes back over Port Louis and its inhabitants.

Between the stone walls of the old city area, chairs are taken out to the pavement to watch appreciatively the sun coming down behind the city.

The Central Plateau

From a bird?s eye view, this part of the island seems to show intense agglomeration, with four cities in very close range despite highly contrasting topographies. In Cure pipe, which enjoys a cool temperature, take a visit to the Botanical Garden ? which hosts some unique species of palm trees ? admire the colonial architecture of the town hall or drive up to Trouaux Cerfs, an extinct volcano where panoramic view embraces the town and the centre of the island. Vacoas-Phoenix comes up on both an urban and a rural note. The town is known for its fresh vegetables and fruits market, its old dwellings hidden at the end of green alleyways, its extensive vegetable patches and the Gymkhana club, the most ancient golf course of the Southern hemisphere.

In Quatre Bornes, the main attraction is surely the market, known as a place for good bargains. In Rose Hill and Beau Bassin, also called the ?Sister towns?, shopping is again a main activity. The locals love spending time at the Balfour garden (to admire its waterfall scenery) or gathering in the yard of the Plaza. This municipal theatre is presently under renovation and comes a live in the evening, when families take a walk in the gardens or have an ice cream.

The North

This region has gone through significant development over the last years. The vast plains planted with sugarcane contrast with the coastline of beautiful beaches. The area is home to the most reputed holiday and tourism centre of the country. From Trou Aux Biches to Grand Bay ? a natural mooring point for boats and yachts ? many restaurants and discotheques offer on going entertainment during the day and night. While driving along the coast, you will be able to capture beautiful images like that of the particular red roofed Cap Malheureux church, facing the ocean and the northern islets: Gunner?s Point,Flat Island and Round Island, each one with their specificities and all havens for endemic species. Further on, the village of grand Gaube is known for the craftsmanship of its marine carpenters and for regattas, the local po