WELCOME TO MAURITIUS
Friendly, inviting and relentlessly beautiful –
welcome to Mauritius! Beaches, temples, lagoons, rainforests, reefs,
waterfalls, shopping, dining… Mauritius has it all. For the adventurous and
active, the array of options is endless; from scuba diving and snorkelling to
sailing and deep sea fishing, or water-skiing and parasailing, kite surfing and
yoga, quad biking and horse riding – you name it, Mauritius has got it.
HISTORY
Mauritius was a Dutch colony in the 1600’s until it
was occupied by the French in the 1700’s and then it became a British Colony in
the 1800’s. It gained independence from Britain in the late 1960’s after almost
200 years, and finally became a Republic in 1992.
LANGUAGE & CULTURE
Due to its multicultural diversity, Mauritius
boasts a number of spoken languages. With immigrants from Africa, India,
France, the UK and China, there is a vast mixture of cultures, languages and
traditions. Both English and French are generally accepted as the official
languages (with French being the most dominant), and Creole being the most
commonly used language on the street.
CLIMATE
The island is blessed with a tropical climate and
is a fantastic year-round destination. Temperatures range from the low to
mid-20s°C in the cooler months (April to October), up to the late 20s°C and
early 30s°C during the gorgeous summer months from November to March.
TIME DIFFERENCE
Mauritius is 2 hours ahead of South Africa
CURRENCY
The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs) which
is divided into 100 cents. Major currencies such as US Dollars and Euros, and
even South African Rands, are accepted in most hotels and by many vendors. You
don’t need to schlepp to get forex before you travel to Mauritius, you can
literally convert Rands to Rupees on arrival at the airport or simply draw
local currency at an ATM.
WHAT TO DO IN MAURITIUS
Mauritius has an impressive array of activities
available – from exhilarating zip lining to cultural temple visits. Of course,
it’s also very important to factor in plenty of time to soak up the sun around
your hotel pool. If you are looking for more than the beach, look at what is in
store for you:
Deep Sea
Fishing – Mauritius is a paradise for deep sea fishing – the ocean is 70
metres deep one kilometre away from the coast. Species include the blue or
black marlin, all types of sharks, yellow tuna, the Bonitos, barracuda and
more. Huge fish like the Blue Marlin roam the seas and hunt around the island
from November to April. Mauritius holds several world fishing records. Fishing
boats can be hired from almost all hotels.
Spa and Wellbeing – If you’re looking for some pampering be sure to visit the spa
found at most hotels where you can put yourself into the capable hands of
experts and allow yourself to be carried away by your senses (you deserve it)!
Golf – What
could be more pleasant than being on holiday on a dream island whilst having
the opportunity to improve your golf skills? Some excellent golf courses
including Heritage Golf Club at Bel Ombre, Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club, Tamarina,
the Links and Legends courses at Belle Mare Plage and Four Seasons Golf Club at
Anahita
Shopping –
The Island’s reputation as a shopping paradise is enhanced by the diversity and
quality of shopping opportunities. From sophisticated shopping centres to small
craft shops and bustling market stalls, there is something for everyone. Whatever
happens, you can’t leave Mauritius without a sega outfit and at least one
frangipani hair clip!
Scuba
Diving and Snorkelling – Mauritius is fantastic for diving all year round.
A barrier reef encircles almost the entire island which creates a shallow
lagoon reef, making it particularly good diving for beginners. On the other
side of the barrier reef, caverns and crevasses as well as a bunch of ship
wrecks will delight the more experienced divers out there.
Nightlife
– Most hotels in Mauritius offer nightly entertainment but for those seeking a
little more, there is lots of fun to be had on the island. The nightlife scene
of Mauritius entices with beach clubs, happening nightclubs, casinos, bars
& pubs with live music, and even laid back lounges.
WHAT TO PACK
As a guide, the maximum weight for checked
luggage is 20kg in economy class and 30kg in business class
Your hand-luggage should not weigh more than 6kg
and needs to be small and compact
Take along your best beach and casual wear,
perfect for the day
The dress-code for dinner is usually smart
casual and gents are required to wear long trousers
Sunglasses and suntan lotion are a must
Don’t forget any medication that you might need,
and be sure to pack it in your hand luggage
Chargers for all your devices (it’s a good idea
to take along a few movies on a tablet or something similar as the English TV
channels in your hotel may be limited)
Swimming shoes and goggles
Mosquito repellent
A hat or cap
And for whatever you leave behind, take it as an
opportunity for some retail therapy. Mauritius is a living and working island
so you will be able to get most things you might need. In fact, you won’t
regret a trip to the shops or markets.
TRAVEL TIPS
Pack a change of clothing in your hand luggage
in case of baggage delays (and a spare cozzie so at least you can have a swim
when you get to your resort)
Clothing creases less if rolled in a sausage
shape when packed – so roll, don’t fold
No sharp objects are permitted in your hand
luggage (yes, tweezers are sharp!)
Travel insurance is a must. If you can’t afford
it, you can’t afford to travel!
Travelling with kids – please check that you
have all the relevant documents including unabridged Birth Certificates.
Put electronics, medication, toothbrushes and
jewellery in your carry-on bag
It’s often a good idea to let your bank or
credit card company know that you’re going overseas
Be patient, be flexible, be spontaneous and have
the best time ever!
The post RAVENALA ATTITUDE HOTELS Mauritius-North West Coast 7 Nights HF7944 appeared first on Travel Specials.