Mauritius Grande Baie Superior Morelle Villa sleeps 6 air conditioned with private pool and garden, WIFI access and right opposite the beach...loading...

What the owner says,

·       “This self catering holiday accommodation, vacation rental villa in Mauritius has a lot of class and elegance. It is beautifully decorated with original oil paintings and richly furnished with teak furniture handcrafted by local cabinet makers. It is located in a very peaceful and old residential area, therefore guests can have the sensation of being away from it all, although still being within easy reach of the nearby village with its bustling life.

·       It is very convenient for family with children or teenagers as it is set in a very safe environment with owners living nearby. The villa is very elegant, classy, comfortable and one instantaneously sense a feeling of well-being and peace right from its threshold. Everything has been conceived to render the house habitable with all the possible amenities that help make life just like at home. Artistically carved wooden built-in wardrobes are to be found in all bedrooms providing ample space for hanging clothes and storage. Teak wooden flooring in all bedrooms make walking bare feet a dream, while nice Spanish tiles ornate the lounge, kitchen, veranda, terrace and bathrooms. Upstairs, the high wooden ceiling with its thick beams give such a unique impression of antiquity to the bedrooms, staircase and terrace that it is so nice to just enjoy everything. 

• Bed linens changed every 4 days, bath towels twice a week.
• Property cleaned daily by house cleaner provided by owners for 3 hrs., except Sundays and public holidays.

Property description:

·       Living room: Lounge: TV, video, radio/CD player. 6 single Sofas, 1 oval table, 5 coffee tables, original oil painting on walls. Dining/veranda: large dining table, 8 dining chairs, 4 cane sofas matching table, Indian style carved coffee tables. 

·       Kitchen: Fully equipped modern kitchen with gas cooker, electric oven, large fridge, freezer, washing machine, microwave, mini grill/toaster, electric kettle, coffee maker. Wooden wall cupboards provide ample space for storing food stuffs and other provisions.

·       Utility room: Laundry room with ironing table, iron, laundry basket for dirty linen and clothes. This room can be used as a store room to keep empty suitcases etc.

Bathrooms:

• En-suite bathroom to master bedroom with shower, separate wc,
• Bathroom 
  No. 2: with shower, wc, bidet,
• Both bathrooms have marble top wash hand basin, ceramic tiles on all walls and floor,
• Solar heating for hot water in all seasons;

3 Bedrooms:

• No. 1 master en-suite 
• No. 2 twin beds,
• No. 3 twin beds;
• all bedrooms have high wooden ceilings to keep cool in summer; 
• air-conditioners and ceiling fans; 
• built-in large wardrobes; 
• bedside tables with night shades are provided; 
• Berber woollen carpets on teak floor.

Facilities provided:

• hob/stove
• oven
• fridge/freezer
• microwave
• washing machine
•  iron/ironing board
• TV
• telephone
• internet access, WIFI
• air conditioning
• room fans
• cot
• high chair
• barbecue (BBQ)
• private pool (for sole use of guests)

Large terrace/balcony

• on 1st floor shared by master’s bedroom and 2nd bedroom overlooking lush tropical garden and pool. 
• 4 deck chairs allow guests to relax and enjoy sun and serenity while bird-watching and daydreaming among tall trees that adorn garden.

Outside:

• The veranda, which is actually the outside dining room, is furnished with large rectangular teak dining table and 8 matching chairs. 
• 4 deep-seated cane sofas with matching round table are set charmingly in one corner. 
• Small Indian coffee tables, a 3 seater sofa in teak are spread out to give living comfort. 
• A slightly salty water swimming pool with beautifully coloured slates lining of size 8 x 4 metres spreads straight from the veranda area. 
• Around the pool, non-heating large tiles have been installed to prevent feet from burning in the tropical sun.

Further down the garden:  

• A pavilion with a large solid wooden table hand crafted out of one of our own garden tree with 4 impressive matching benches await guests who appreciate a good barbecue and outdoor living. 
• Spot lights are installed everywhere to illuminate the dark tropical nights when necessary. 
• 4 wooden sun chairs are provided with cushions and a Weber barbecue also. 
• Only short walk from internationally renowned hotels and the cutest bay of the North Mauritius, La Cuvette, guests can walk down the main coastal road to find on the way another hotel, Italian & Mauritian restaurants, a supermarket, wine bars, discotheques, Italian and French Delicatessen shops, art galleries, beauty salons, etc. 
• Although everything is within walking distance, guests might wish to hire a car for more mobility (bus stops and taxi stands are short walk away.) 
• As a getaway from all the stress of everyday life in Europe, this villa in Mauritius offers class, comfort, peace, serenity - a unique opportunity to experience the very special and characteristic way of life of the Island. 
• To wake up with the sound of birds singing in the tall old trees of the tropical garden and breathing in the exhilarating air coming from the sea is enough to give renewed energy and a feeling of well-being to our guests.

Changeover day:

• Have no preferred changeover day or particular arrival and departure times. 
• When occasion arises departure time will be 10.00 a.m. to make way to new guests arriving same day. 
• Arrival time then will be 15.00 hrs. 
• For late departure or early arrival, conditions would be discussed to suit both parties.

Airport Transfers

Pickups at airport can be arranged.

Unique benefits of the property

• What we are offering to our guests is the concept of enjoying holidays in an elegant and comfortable villa in Mauritius with an artistic soul, away from all the noise and crowd. 
• Everything has been conceived with a view to make their stay as easy going, smooth and relaxing as possible. Located in Grand Baie, Mauritius Morelle Villa is within easy reach of supermarkets, discotheques, bars, restaurants, beauty salons, massage parlours and beaches. 
• It has its own private pool with 4 deckchairs, 4 sun beds, barbecue and outdoor dining pavilion set amidst exotic plants and trees. 
• The area we are in Grand Baie is very quiet and safe and to reach the nearest beach, you simply have to cross the road. 
• Because of our past experience with people and places, we enjoy very much welcoming international guests and offering them the best hospitality they can expect and the highest standard of home service.

The Grande Baie, Mauritius Area

• The shores of this northern part of the Island are very beautiful.  
• The beaches are winding, but sometimes they are just long stretches of white sand with filao trees growing up to the level where tide water washes the shores. 
• There are small niche bays where, during the week, you would think you were alone in the world apart from some fishermen tending their nets or their business. 
• There are loads of nice restaurants, wine bars and coffee shops along the beach where you could just sit and watch the sun go down every evening - an incredible feast for the eyes - a unique spectacle each time the sun sets.

Coast/Beach

• The nearest accessible beaches on foot are "La Cuvette" Pereybere and Grand Baie 10-15 minutes. 
• In fact all along the coastal road are beaches. 
• All beaches have white sand with emerald crystal clear water. 
• On the shore we have filao trees and grass growing.
• Normally guests can hire deck chairs and practice all kinds of water sports everywhere. 
• One of our longest beaches "Mon Choisy" is about 15 min by car.

What you can find down the Coastal Road

• When you leave Grand Baie Morelle Villa Mauritius and turn left down the Coastal Road towards the Village of Grand Baie (20 minutes on foot), you will see on your way: 
• Restaurant, A Beauty/Spa salon, Wine shop; Bus Stop, Hotel with Indian Restaurant, Wine Tasting/Restaurant, Italian Delicatessen/Restaurant, Beauty nail care, Art shop, Supermarket Store; 
• Discotheque, Pub, Bar, Italian Pizza & Pasta Restaurant and above it Steak House, Gourmet and Bakery shops;
• Yatch club, hotels, nightclub and La Cuvette beach;
• Mauritian Restaurant, Tours Operators, Beauty salon,  Indian Temple, Italian Cafe, Bank, live jazz club on Friday/Saturday, Petanque drive.

In the village: 

• More activities and more shops, Restaurants (Chinese, Indian, Sea Food, Continental, Snack bars), Tours operators, Banks, Internet Cafe, Bars, Discotheques, Pizzerias, A Bazaar, Bus Terminal for Express service to Port-Louis, Water Sports Centre, Deep Sea Fishing outings, Catholic church, a Mosque, etc.

Golf

• An 18 hole Golf course at Belle Mare Plage about 40 minutes' drive by car from Grand Baie offer all the challenges that a trained golfer is looking for. Possibility to spend the day in the hotel, enjoy the beach and even have lunch there. 
• Another golf course at Anaita near Belle Mare Plage in a nice setting is also open to the public with facilities for lunches or water sports. Possibility to hire golf clubs and bag on the spot exists but perhaps the choice of brand names might be limited. For beginners, there are pros for private or group lessons at a fee. 
• At the Legends Hotel in Grand Gaube, about 20 minutes' drive from Grand Baie, there is a driving range where you can practice your shots by paying an entrance/practice fee.

Travel

• Nearest airport is about 1 hr. 15 mins from Grand Baie.
• Hiring of car is not essential but for greater mobility and independence it would be recommended. 
• We could propose some reliable local car hire that charge less per day than Avis or Hertz. 
• Otherwise, during the day, the bus is a cheap and reliable means of transport. 
• We have also our own regular taxi man and if used by our guests, he would charge very reasonable fares. 
• Port Louis the capital city of Mauritius, is about 25 minutes' drive by car. There is an Express Bus from Grand Baie centre which departs every half hour to Port Louis (45 mins.), it is cheap, reliable and air-conditioned. Many tourists use this means of transport to move about. 
• Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is about 15 minutes’ drive.

Further details

• Shops in Grand Baie offer lots of locally made or imported products. 
• Since Mauritius is a textile producing country, many of the manufactured goods found on the local market come from our factories. 
• Mauritius is a multi-cultural country, therefore our cuisine is a cross road between east and west and reflects our diversity. 
• We have many restaurants in Mauritius offering the following food: Creole, Indian, Chinese, French, Italian, fast food, snacks and of course stylish and gourmet restaurants that are found in some of our reputed hotels. 
• For very little money, you can try local fast food sold by street vendors. Lots of small cafe offer food at reasonable price for breakfast and lunch. 
• Super U is our main supermarket in Grand Baie. There, you can find almost everything under one roof: foodstuff, clothes, summer shoes, children's clothing, local handicrafts, books, magazines, souvenirs, fresh vegetable and fruits, wine etc. 
• The Banks that are locally represented are: Barclays, HSBC, Banque des Mascareignes, Mauritius Commercial Bank.

Places of interest are:

• La Vanille in the South of Mauritius - Crocodile farm, giant tortoise that you can ride, splendid Insectarium - the restaurant proposes crocodile meat on the menu.
• Casella near Flic-en-Flac, SW Mauritius - Reserve for birds and other animals. Children can fish tilapias that are returned to the lake afterwards.
• Aventure Park, Chamarel, South Mauritius: Acrobranches - equipped with an harness and tied to a cable stretched upwards overcoming obstacle in trees and branches, this calls for sporty and fit bodies that would stop at nothing.
• Port Louis Race Course - Champs de Mars, every Saturday from May to December.
• Pamplemousses Botanical Garden - impressive collection of indigenous plants.
• "Aventure du Sucre" an old sugar factory transformed into a Museum retracing the history of the Sugar Industry in Mauritius”

FURTHER INFORMATION

GRAND BAIE (BAY) Mauritius is situated within an area of sheltered bays and beaches where water sports and fishing complement the shops, bars, restaurants situated near the waterside. It is the earliest and traditional centre of tourism in Mauritius. It was once a small fishing village and is now a lively and largest resort - a popular tourist destination situated on a picturesque horseshoe bay in the north of the island. A shopping and leisure paradise and the area where Mauritians head for when they want a fun-filled night out!

The town is also the MAIN DEPARTURE POINT FOR TRIPS BY BOAT to the Northern Mauritian Islands of Coin de Mire, Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. Local buses run between Port Louis (Capital of Mauritius) and Grand Bay every half hour during the day. Ile Au Cerf, a beautiful island located off the east coast of Mauritius, is also easily reached from Grand Bay.

Inland and nearby is the beautiful SIR SEEWOOSAGUR RAMGOOLAM BOTANICAL GARDENS at PAMLEMOUSSES where shaded walkways, streams and ponds border a fine collection of indigenous flora. The garden’s origins go back to 1735 when it was used as a market garden to provide fresh supplies to ships calling at Port Louis. The gardens are one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius. Opened as a private garden by the French governor of Mauritius nearly 300 years ago, they served as a major horticultural research centre for the French and British during the colonial period. Today they are home to dozens of varieties of palm trees, as well as medicinal plants, fish ponds, and an amazing collection of Queen Victoria water lilies.

SHOPPING: A 15minute drive from Grand Bay is Port Louis the capital city of Mauritius where, in and around the central market is a souvenir and bargain-hunter’s dream where you can bargain for saris, spices, sandals, beachwear and intricately woven wall coverings from India as well as buy fresh fruit and vegetables from one of the many stalls for a few rupees.

SPORTS ACTIVITIES: diving, windsurfing, kite-surfing, sailing, paragliding, snorkelling, fishing, yachting;

AS AN ALTERNATIVE to say, Africa, the Algarve, Majorca or Tuscany, MAURITIUS (Ile Maurice) is now generally regarded as one of the BEST AREAS for TRAVEL and TOURISM in the WORLD. The WESTERN COAST of Mauritius in particular, offers white, sandy, tropical beaches flanked by beautiful coral lagoons, spectacular volcanic mountain scenery, tropical fauna and flora and an all-year-round sunny climate (annual temperatures varying from about 26 - 30 degrees C.) making this area an ideal choice for your holiday of a lifetime!

JUST IMAGINE CHILLING OUT ON THE BEACH or under the filao trees…or trying water sports, banana boat rides, scuba diving (training and qualifications available), snorkelling, fishing, boating, walking, horse riding, tennis, golf, enjoying the night life and great hospitality…barbeques and sega dancing on the beach, awesome extinct volcanic mountains, sugar cane plantations, colonial history, hot sunny days…the list seems endless and you'll want to come back for more!

MANY EXCELLENT self catering apartments for rent or vacation rentals now offer a great alternative to the more expensive hotel resorts on the island. They offer BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY than best hotel deals in Mauritius, budget or cheap hotels, beach accommodation rentals or holiday homes in the form of fully furnished apartments or villas at a fraction of the cost. With relatively lower rental rates they have opened the door to more visitors being able to stay and benefit the island’s economy.

The BUS SERVICE is Government-subsidised and a very low-cost way of travelling around but not very comfortable! Or if you are more interested in the HISTORY and CULTURE OF MAURITIUS you can explore the island's turbulent colonial past and diversity of people. You will see dramatic rolling landscapes of SUGAR CANE rising to meet the awe-inspiring mountains in the BLACK RIVER GORGE, declared a NATIONAL PARK in 1997 as LE MORNE on the coast, visible from many miles is a poignant reminder of the precarious sanctuary of runaway slaves.

The self-catering accommodation is an ideal option for a group or family. Almost hidden, metaphorically-speaking within a range of furnished seaside self catering vacation rental holiday apartments, flats and villas to rent, best discounted hotel and budget deals accommodation it offers exceptionally good value for money. The area is dotted with bars, restaurants and discotheques with beaches and water sports to enjoy. Public bus stop 2 – 5 minutes.

Holiday homes (not caravans), holiday rentals, holiday villas with pools, house(s) for rent, hostels accommodation offer many lodgings or holiday rental to suit all pockets. You will be sure to find what you need choosing from, for example, budget deals accommodation to serviced apartments, studio apartments for rent to luxury apartments and villas on this stunning Indian Ocean Island. GRAND BAY (BAIE) is the island’s main centre for yachting, water skiing, windsurfing and numerous other water sport activities including submarine trips.

CLIMATE: Average Temperature (°C): J 30 F 20 M 29 A 29 M 28 J 24 J 24 A 24 S 24 O 25 N 27 D 28
Average Rainfall (mm): J 8.5 F 7.7 M 8.7 A 3.8 M 3.8 J 2.5 J 2.2 A 2.5 S 1.4 O 1.6 N 1.8 D 4.6

The beautiful La Cuvette beach offers diving, glass-bottomed boat trips and undersea walks.

SOUTH OF GRAND BAY, Mauritius the northern coastline beyond Tombeau Bay has many delightful beaches including Trou aux Biches with its splendid Hindu Temple.

FURTHER UP THE COAST is Mont Choisy, Mauritius one of the most popular beaches on the island, which offers water sports activities such as windsurfing and water skiing.

GRAND BAY (BAIE) is a GREAT VALUE, SEASIDE HOLIDAY TRAVEL DESTINATION in Mauritius with a wide range of fully furnished luxury holiday apartments, apartments or flats, villas or houses to rent, best discounted hotel, budget deals or property rentals accommodation available.

A LOCAL MEALS (moped) DELIVERY SERVICE IS ALSO AVAILABLE or enjoy a BEACH BARBEQUE, or just marvelling at the EXOTIC SEGA DANCERS with local musicians.

The SUNSETS are ABSOLUTELY STUNNING and the UNBROKEN CORAL REEF acts as a natural barrier for the calm waters of the BLUE LAGOON.

Watch the local fishermen FISHWALKING ALONG THE REEF in the morning and selling their fresh prawns and shrimps later on the beach.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN MAURITIUS TO VISIT ON REQUEST 1/2 OR WHOLE DAY:

Black River Gorges National Park virgin forests Mauritius South: Enjoy amazing vistas, wild monkeys, waterfalls, volcanic lakes and excellent hiking…the best time to visit the park is during the flowering season between September and January. Look for the rare tambalacoque or dodo tree, the black ebony trees and the wild guavas. Bird-watchers should keep an eye out for the Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, echo parakeet and Mauritius cuckoo-shrike, among other rarities; Blue Bay lagoon diving; 

Cap Malheureux Mauritius north coast: much-photographed church, the red-roofed Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, stunning views; 

Casela Nature Park is within walking distance of Flic En Flac: this 14-hectare park is on the main road 1km south of the turn to Flic en Flac. It is beautifully landscaped and has sweeping views over the coastal plain. The park houses some 1500 birds, representing species from around the world (some in rather small cages) including rare pink pigeons. There are also tigers, zebras, monkeys and deer living in a semi-reserve, and giant tortoises, one of which is 180 years old. Children are well catered for with a petting zoo, playground and mini golf. Casela also offers 'safaris' by jeep, mountain bike or on foot around the nearby 45-sq-km Yemen Reserve, where deer, wild pigs, fruit bats and monkeys can be seen in their natural habitat; prices vary according to the different packages. Quad biking and rock climbing are also on offer. The park has a pleasant lunch-time restaurant serving drinks, snacks and more substantial meals to visitors. 

Centre de Flacq along the road to Quartier Militaire, Flacq Union of Estates Limited sugar mill largest most modern on the island. Tours of the plant take place during the cane harvest (July to early November); phone ahead to find out when they run;

Central plateau towns of Curepipe and Quatre Bones shopping and markets or to Floréal’s textile museum;

Chamarel Coloured Earths and the highest waterfall in Mauritius; 

Coco Isle; Coral Reef; 

Dolphins;

Eureka: preserved historical colonial mansion; 

Giant Tortoises;

Grand Baie nightlife, restaurants, sea trips, shopping; 

Grand Bassin(Sacred Lake) crater lake, sacred to Hindus, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country; 

Grand Gaube a tiny fishing village with a good beach about 6km east of Cap Malheuruex: In 1744 the St Géran foundered off Grand Gaube in a storm, inspiring the famous love story Paul et Virginie, by Bernardin de Ste Pierre. Beyond small rocky bays of Grande Gaube almost no beaches until a long way down the east coast, making any trip beyond here an illuminating glimpse into traditional Mauritian life without the tourists; 

Ile Aux Cerfs;

La Vanille Crocodile Park and Nature Reserve at Rivière des Anguilles specialises in the breeding of Nile Crocodiles, Most Mauritian mammals and reptiles can be seen: skinks, phelsumas, tortoises, turtles, bats, deers, mongooses, monkeys, pigs and domestic livestock such as goats, fat-tailed sheep and donkeys. All is set in a rain forested valley studded with natural springs and streams. The springs contain freshwater prawns and fish. Guided tours are provided; a restaurant and a shop on the premises.

Le Morne Brabant, one of the country's most dramatic peaks; 

Mare aux Vacoas reservoir is the island’s largest lake; 

Pamplemousses: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens feature a stunning variety of endemic and foreign plant species. The nearby decommissioned Beau Plan sugar factory has also been converted into a fascinating museum;

Port Louis the capital: Le Caudan Waterfront, Chinatown: the region between the two 'friendship gates' on Royal St forms the centre of Port Louis' Chinatown. Here you'll see the rich mercantile life of the hard-working Chinese community, the busy Chinese restaurants and groceries and the streets echoing with the unmistakable clatter of mah jong tiles, Markets, collection of museums and some wonderfully preserved colonial buildings; 

Sea Trips; Sega Dancing, Ship Models; Souillac to Baie du Cap coastal road, surrounded by untamed scenery and stunning views; 

Tamarin salt production; 

Trou D'Eau Douce beaches and restaurants; 

Acknowledgement: Lonely Planet Guide MAURITIUS (Ile Maurice)

LONELY PLANET GUIDE:

"Introduction

Mauritius is the most accessible island in the Indian Ocean, boasting as much tropical paradise as Maui or Martinique and, better still, offering it at a bargain. Though nestled up alongside Africa, it's actually more influenced by its British and French ties and massive Indian workforce.

Here, you can enjoy a dish of curried chickpeas or a nice Yorkshire pudding on the terrace of a French café, sipping imported wine or a thick malty ale while listening to Créole music and the conversation of locals in any number of lingoes.

Its range of visitor’s facilities runs the gamut from pamper-happy beach resorts and organised excursions to locals who'll put you up in their homes and rent you their cars for daytrips. If you're looking for a lazy beach vacation, you could certainly do worse, but don't forget the rambling interior and the multicultural capital Port Louis.

Full country name: Republic of Mauritius

Area: 1,860 sq km

Population: 1.2 million

Capital City: Port Louis (pop 150,000)

People: Indo-Mauritian (68%), Créole (27%), Sino-Mauritian (3%), Franco-Mauritian (2%)

Language: English, French, Hindi, Urdu, Bhojpuri Religion: Hindu (51%), Christian (30%), Muslim (17%)

Government: parliamentary democracy

GDP: US$11.7 billion GDP per capita: US$10,300

Annual Growth: 5% Inflation: 6%

Major Industries: Sugar, textiles, tea, tobacco, tourism

Major Trading Partners: EU, US, South Africa, India

Facts for the Traveller:

Visas: All visitors are required to have a passport and onward ticket in order to enter the country. Most visitors do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days. Contact a Mauritian embassy prior to your visit.

Health risks: Malaria (There is a slight risk here)

Time Zone: GMT/UTC + 4

Dialling Code: 230

Electricity: 220V or 125V ,50Hz

Weights & measures: Metric

When to Go:

Apart from the busy Christmas to New Year period, Mauritius doesn't really have a high or low season.

The depths of Mauritian 'winter' occur from July to September, when daytime temperatures drop from sticky to balmy. With less rain and humidity, this is one of the choicest times to visit.

Weather-wise, the least agreeable period is from January to April,when the long days can prove too hot and humid for some and the threat of cyclones is in the air. Visitors should be prepared to spend several days cooped up indoors during extra-heavy rains.

December through March is the best time for diving, when the waters are at their clearest;

June through August is best for surfing; and

October through April is excellent for big game fishing, when the large predators feed close to shore.

Events

With its host of cultures and multinational residents, it's no surprise that Mauritius celebrates an equally diverse number of holidays and special events.

Teemeedee, a Hindu and Tamil fire-walking ceremony held in honour of various gods, takes place throughout the year but mostly in December and January.

Hindus celebrate the major Thaipoosam Cavadee in January or February at temples throughout the island. Look for processions carrying flower-covered wooden arches and pots of milk, with devotees skewering their tongues and cheeks in homage to the second son of Lord Shiva.

Around the same time, the resident Tamils mark the end of the harvest season by feeding rice pudding to decorated cows in the festival of Pongal, and

Chinese New Year is celebrated with the standard barrage of fireworks and foodstuffs.

Maha Shivaratri occurs over three days in February and March and is the largest and most important Hindu festival outside of India. Most of the island's Hindu population makes a pilgrimage in honour of Lord Shiva to the holy volcanic lake Grand Bassin, where they make food sacrifices and stockpile vessels of the holy water.

If you happen upon a celebration of Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, count on a good soaking: exuberant celebrants throw cupfuls of coloured powder and water on anyone in their path sometime in February or March.

Independence/Republic Day is 12 March.

Similar in intent to the teemeedee celebrations, Hindu and Tamil sword-climbing spectacles take place mostly between April and June.

Père Laval Feast Day in September marks the anniversary of the Catholic convert-king's death, and pilgrims come from all over the world to his shrine at Ste-Croix to pray for miracle cures and such.

Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Fitr to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the lunar year. Though the date of Eid-al-Fitr varies from year to year - for the next few years, it's in January and is always a public holiday.

Money & Costs

Currency: Mauritius Rupee Relative Costs: Meals Budget: US$1-5 Mid-range: US$5-20 High: US$20+ Lodging Budget: US$10-30 Mid-range: US$30-60 High: US$60+

Buck up, budget traveller: Mauritius is among the cheapest visitors' destinations in the region.

Though some officials have voiced aspirations to turn the island into a luxury getaway for well-heeled vacationers, thankfully this has yet to happen. Visitors can still keep costs to a minimum by staying in budget accommodations, such as guesthouses and self-catering apartments; rates tend to fall by upwards of 25% when you stay more than a few days. If you take buses instead of taxis and cook for yourself from time to time, you should be able to get by on less than US$25 per day. Add a swanky hotel room, daily excursions and a few restaurant meals, and your total can easily top US$100. For a bask in some serious, world-class luxury, plan on spending at least US$600 per day.

Travellers cheques in any major currency can be exchanged without a hitch in Mauritius - and they bring a better rate of exchange than cash. (The government sets the exchange rates, so there is no need to bank hop.)

Credit cards are widely accepted, with cash advances available from most major banks.

Cheaper pensions and local cafes generally don't add tax or service charges to their bills, while mid-range to upscale restaurants and hotels add a 15% government tax.

Tipping is optional in restaurants, though airport porters expect a little something, and bargaining is a part of life on Mauritius.

Attractions

Port Louis

Backed by mountains at the north-western end of the island, the burgeoning capital of Port Louis is a large city (in proportion to the size of Mauritius), though it contains a relatively small percentage of the country's total population. During the day, it bustles with big-city commercial activity - snarling traffic, honking horns and all. By night, in contrast, all is quiet - dare we say 'dead'? - except for the swish new Le Caudan Waterfront, where you'll find a casino, cinemas, shops, bars and restaurants.

There's a distinct Muslim area around Muammar El Khadafi Square (appropriately enough at the opposite end of the city from the local hat-tip to the Yanks, John F Kennedy St) and a Chinatown around Royal St. The city centre is easily covered on foot.

A good place to get a feel for city life is the Port Louis Market, near the water in the heart of downtown. With sections devoted to fruits and vegetables, meats and fish, souvenirs, crafts, clothing and spices, be ready to practise some hard bargaining.

While in the neighbourhood, most visitors drop by the Natural History Museum to see a stuffed replica of that 'abnormal member of a group of pigeons', the dodo, which has been extinct since the late 17th century. The museum also houses stuffed representations of several other extinct birds as well as specimens of animals and fish that are still with us.

The only other regular exhibitor in the city is the Mauritius Postal Museum, featuring a collection of Mauritian stamps and assorted philately.

If you're interested in Islamic architecture, stop by Port Louis' oddly located Jummah Mosque, built in the 1850s in the middle of Chinatown, and Fort Adelaide, which so closely resembles a Moorish fortress that locals call it the Citadel.

Fort Adelaide is the only one of Port Louis' four British forts that's still accessible and not in ruins; the views from its hilltop, harbourside location are ace.

The Lourdes of the Indian Ocean, Père Laval's Shrine is just north-east of the town centre at Ste-Croix. Père Laval - who is said to have converted more than 67,000 people during his 23 years on Mauritius - is remembered with a colourful plaster statue atop his tomb. Pilgrims swear by the statue's healing powers and come in droves to touch it.

Curepipe

The town of Curepipe owes its size and prominence to the malaria epidemic of 1867, during which thousands of people fled mosquito infested Port Louis for healthier, higher ground. The bulk of Franco-Mauritians live in outlying communities and come into Curepipe mainly to shop. With the flavour of an English market town, Curepipe is the centre of the island's tea and model-ship building industries and the best place to scatter your money. Unless these are of particular interest to you, the town itself may be worth a quick visit at most. The surrounding countryside has a more universal appeal.

Curepipe's main street of historical interest is Elizabeth Ave. There, the recently renovated colonial-style Hôtel de Ville (1902) functions as the town hall. In its gardens, you'll find a statue of the fictitious lovers Paul and Virginie from Bernadin de St Pierre's 1788 novel of the same name. West of the town centre, Curepipe's botanical gardens are not as spectacular as those of Pamplemousses, but they are well kept and informal, with nature trails branching off of the main paths.

Just north of the gardens, Trou aux Cerfs crater is the town's biggest natural attraction. It's been extinct for ages, and the crater floor is now heavily wooded, but a tarred road leads up to and around the rim to rest stops with beautiful views.

A few kilometres south-west of town, Tamarind Falls are awkward to reach without your own transportation and good hiking boots, but the rewards are worth the hassle. At the bottom of the series of seven falls, you can enjoy a dip in the deep waters, and the parkland around the falls is perfect for hikes.

Curepipe is in the south-central highlands of Mauritius and is well linked by bus to Port Louis, about 20km (12mi) to the north, and to other towns and villages.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens in the village of Pamplemousses: these gardens (also known as the Royal Botanic Gardens) were started in 1735 by Governor Mahé de La Bourdonnais as a vegetable garden for his Mon Plaisir Château. The grounds were gussied up by French horticulturalist Pierre Poivre in 1768 in his bid to introduce spices, but afterwards lay neglected until 1849, when a British horticulturalist, James Duncan, took over. His legacy is seen today in the garden's array of palms. These modest but well kept gardens are a highlight of a visit to Mauritius. Though there are few flowers inside, one key attraction is the park's giant Victoria regia water lilies, native to the Amazon. From the centre of a huge pad, the lily's flower opens white one day and closes red the next.

Other attractions include

golden bamboo, chewing gum trees, fish poison trees, a 200-year-old Buddha tree and - for Christians - a cross tree with leaves shaped like crucifixes. The fragrant flora of the garden - ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, camphor and sandalwood - is another high point, as are glimpses of Mauritian wildlife that are all but unavailable elsewhere on the island. Look for enclosures of Java deer and giant tortoises.

There's also an art gallery and a cemetery, whichever way your tastes run.

Pamplemousses is 11km (7mi) north-east of Port Louis, and there are regular buses between the two.

South of Port Louis

A scant 12km (7mi) south of Port Louis, the town of Moka - in terms of ambience - is a world apart from the capital. Not only is it the island's centre of academia, it's also blessed with sylvan landscapes, towering mountains and a number of impressive manor houses. Here, the University of Mauritius shares the bulk of the island's scholars with the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, founded to preserve and promote Mauritian Indian culture. The Gandhi Institute's Folk Museum of Indian Immigration houses around 2000 volumes of Indian archives dating from 1842 to 1910 as well as a small collection of artefacts, such as jewellery worn by early Indian immigrants, traditional musical instruments, books and assorted household knick-knacks.

Also of historical interest is Le Réduit (the Refuge), a former governor's mansion built in 1874 that is now used by the military. Though the building itself is open to the public only two days per year (in March and October), guard-escorted walks through the gardens are well worth a visit anytime.

Another biggie, Eureka House, was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1986. It was built in the 1830s and, like Le Réduit, has terrific views across the valley. The museum inside has areas dedicated to music, art, antique maps, Chinese and Indian housewares and quirky contraptions like a colonial-era shower. Leave yourself time for a ramble round the stone cottages and gardens out back. Both houses are about a kilometre outside of Moka - Eureka to the north, Le Réduit to the south - and are best reached by a combination of bus and foot, unless you can convince a local to rent you a bicycle.

Closer to Port Louis, Domaine Les Pailles is an elaborate cultural centre that includes facilities for horse-drawn carriage and train rides, plus a working replica of an ox-powered sugar mill, a rum distillery, an herb garden, a natural spring and a children's play area. An onsite riding centre, Les Écuries du Domaine, has horses for dressage and jumping and Welsh ponies for the wee ones. Continuing in the spirit of providence, the centre also has a handful of ethnic restaurants and its own jazz club and casino. Domaine Les Pailles is a 10 minute taxi ride from either Port Louis or Moka, or you can take a bus between the two and walk half an hour from the main road. Moka Town is almost midway between Port Louis and Curepipe, just east of the M2. Buses ply between the cities daily, or you can take a taxi.

Off the Beaten Track

Belle Mare A long, luscious, casuarina-fringed beach along the eastern coast, Belle Mare is best seen from atop a reconstructed lime kiln that's been converted into a lookout tower just inland from the beach. On the far side of the road that parallels the beach stand the ruins of a sugar mill, and more substantial sugar mill ruins hide behind Belle Mare village. Aside from swimming, which is probably the best the island has to offer, about the only thing to do here is lie back and relax. It won't take you long to get used to the idea. Belle Mare is a long and rollercoaster bus ride east of Port Louis.

Black River Gorges National Park This beautiful highland area south-west of Curepipe is like no other part of the island. About 6km (4mi) from Curepipe, Mauritius' only mountain road reaches the dam wall of the park's large reservoir, Mare aux Vacoas. Surrounded by casuarina and coniferous trees, it looks more like North America than an island in the Indian Ocean. About 6km (4mi) south-east of Mare aux Vacoas is the sacred lake of the Hindus, Grand Bassin, and, a few kilometres farther east, Plaine Champagne, the rainiest spot and largest natural area on Mauritius. Toward the eastern end of the plain, the Rivière Noire overlook affords spectacular views of waterfalls and the 830m (2720ft) Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, the highest point on Mauritius. The best time to visit Black River Gorges National Park is during the flowering season between September and January. Look for the rare tambalacoque or dodo tree, black ebony trees and the exotic birds that perch in them. You may also run into a band of monkeys, deer or wild pigs. The park is some 30km (19mi) south of Port Louis and is best reached by bus via Curepipe or by private transport.

Rodrigues Island

A volcanic island 18km (11mi) long and 8km (5mi) wide, Rodrigues is in many way a miniature Mauritius. It's surrounded by coral reefs, covered with similar vegetation and landscapes, and blessed with an equally tropical climate. Rodrigues isn't quite as lush as Mauritius, but neither is it thick with tourists. The pace of life is more relaxed and the people prone to stop and chat. On the down side, it's more likely to be hit by the cyclones that plague the region. The last big one, Cyclone Bella, swung through in early 1991, bringing with it winds in excess of 200km/h (125mph). The island is relatively small and perfect for rambling around at leisure. Hiking is good around Mt Limon and Mt Malartic, the island's two highest points at more than 390m (1280ft). The best coastal hiking leads from Port Mathurin around the eastern coastline to Port Sud-Est. Point Coton on the eastern coast has the best beach on the island, but there are other good ones at St François, Trou d'Argent and Petit Gravier.Caverne Patate in the south-west boasts some worthwhile spelunking opportunities. Diving is the big attraction of the waters around Rodrigues - you can arrange a trip through one of the big hotels. Several of the tiny islands just off Rodrigues, such as Île Cocos and Île aux Sables, are nature reserves and require permits to visit; others, such as Île aux Crabes and Île Hermitage, are just as beautiful and are open to the public. Rodrigues lies about 560km (350mi) north-east of Mauritius. The two islands are connected daily by air and several times per month by sea. Keep in mind there's a minimum stay of 5 days and a maximum of 30.

Activities

Many hotels provide windsurfing and kayaking equipment for their guests, and for those who prefer less strenuous communing, there's usually a glass-bottom boat to be found. For Jules Verne fans, lead-booted, bubble-headed 'undersea walks' can be arranged near Grand Baie reef, as can a ride on La Nessee, a semi-submersible boat - sort of like a submarine - that allows a close-up tour of the reefs without the nuisance of getting wet.

Surfing was big on the island in the 1970s, until the rising costs of airfare and accommodation drove surfers to seek bluer pastures. Now, with vacation costs back to bearable, the crowds are picking up again. The area around Tamarin is said to be the best spot to drop in, and the season lasts from around June to August. Diving around the island is not especially interesting, save for off the outer isle of Cargados Carajos, but there are no dive operators there. On Mauritius, the best dive sites are around Flic en Flac on the west coast. Snorkelling is a better proposition, with over-the-side boat trips running from most major hotels and from Grand Baie beach. The best swimming beaches are all at the northern end of the island.

Serious anglers will love the superb deep-sea fishing in the waters off Mauritius, where there are healthy populations of blue and black marlin, bonita and yellowfin tuna, several species of shark and spectacular sailfish to hook into. Overall, October through April is the best time to sink a line, though there are fish to be caught year round and the wahoo don't start biting until September.

Though Mauritius is promoted primarily as a 'beach' destination, the attractions of hiking and trekking through the interior are legion. For lowland walking, take into account the heat and humidity. For highland treks, come prepared for rain at any time of year, especially from October to March. The Réserve Forrestière Macchabée and Black River Gorges National Park provide the bulk of the wild walks on the island, though there are some fantastic short-but-strenuous hikes in the hills around Moka Town. Curepipe, atop the plateau, is the best place for trekkers to stock up before a trip. Caving aficionados will want to visit Caverne Patate on Rodrigue

History

Arab traders knew of Mauritius as early as the 10th century but never stopped to settle it. Portuguese naval explorers stumbled upon it in the wake of Vasco de Gama's voyage around the Cape of Good Hope in 1498. Still, apart from introducing pesky monkeys and rats, the Portuguese did little to influence the island.

This was left to the next wave of immigrants, the Dutch. In 1598, Vice Admiral Wybrandt van Warwyck came ashore and claimed the island for the Netherlands, christening it after his ruler, Maurice, Prince of Orange and Count of Nassau. It was another 40 years before the Dutch began to settle the country, preferring instead to use it as a supply base on the route to Java. The colony, however, never really flourished, and the Dutch departed for good in 1710, leaving in their wake the extinction of the dodo and the introduction of African slaves, Javan deer, wild boar, tobacco and sugar cane.

Five years later, French captain Guillaume Dufresne d'Arsal claimed the island, renamed it Île de France and gave it over to the French East India Company to run as a trading base. Popular settlement began in 1721, and within 15 years the first sugar mill had been built, along with a road network and hospital.

During the second half of the 18th century, the island's capital, Port Louis, became a free trading base and haven for corsairs - mercenary marines paid by a country to plunder the ships of its enemies.

Tired of the competition, the British moved in on the corsairs (and on Mauritius) in 1810. After an initial defeat at the Battle of Vieux Grand Port, the Brits landed at Cap Malheureux on the northern coast and took the island. The 1814 Treaty of Paris ceded Île de France, Rodrigues and the Seychelles to the victors but allowed Franco-Mauritians to retain their language, religion, Napoleonic Code legal system and sugar plantations. In 1835, the slaves were freed and the labour force was supplemented by workers brought in from China and India.

While the Franco-Mauritian plantations produced wealthy sugar barons (as they do today), Indian workers continued to be indentured by the thousands. Through strength of numbers, Indians gradually bolstered their say in the country's management, aided in 1901 by a visit from Mahatma Gandhi.

In 1936, the Labour Party was founded to continue the struggle for labourers' rights. The following year, their burden was lightened by a new constitution granting the vote to anyone over 21 who could sign their name. Under the direction of Dr Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (who was later knighted), membership swelled and the party flourished.

Mauritius was granted independence from Britain on 12 March 1968, and Sir Ramgoolam was elected prime minister, a title he retained for the next 13 years. He was succeeded by a coalition of the leftist Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM) and the Parti Socialiste Mauricien, though tensions in the parties' upper ranks rattled the infrastructure throughout their reign. In 1986, three Mauritian MPs were caught at Amsterdam's airport with heroin in their suitcases, and the resulting inquiry implicated other politicians in drug money and led to several resignations.

Mauritius officially became a republic in 1992.

Sir Ramgoolam's grandson, Navin Ramgoolam, won the elections in 1995 and led the country in its pursuit of prosperity until September 2000, when new elections were won by an alliance of the Socialist Militant Party and the Militant Movement - the former's Anerood Jugnath will be prime minister until 2003, when he will be replaced by the latter's Paul Berenger, who'll be the first non-Hindu to hold the office since the country gained its independence.

Tensions between the Creole population, descended from former slaves, and the Indo-Mauritian majority, exploded in 1999. Popular reggae singer Joseph 'Kaya' Topize was arrested during a rally to legalize marijuana and died of a skull fracture while in police custody. Riots broke out across the island, particularly in Port Louis.

Culture

Over half the population of Mauritius is Hindu and roughly another fifth is Muslim; both groups descend from labourers brought to the island by the British to work the cane fields. While some of the resident Chinese and Sino-Mauritians were also brought over as labourers, most came to Mauritius as entrepreneurs, and many still control the lion's share of village-based commerce. The remaining population is composed mainly of Créoles, descendants of African slaves, and Franco-Mauritians, the original settlers of the island. Franco-Mauritians, who make up about 2% of the population, still control many of the sugar plantations, although many emigrated to South Africa and France following independence.

English is the official language of the island, though you're bound to hear French, Créole (a melange of French and various African dialects) and a smattering of Indian languages. The island's main contribution to the performing arts is the Créole séga, a foot-shuffling, body-gyrating, downright erotic dance that's generally performed on the beach to the rhythm of Latin American, Caribbean and African pop. Séga variations to Créole music are popular in the island's discos and are certainly more entertaining than the well-choreographed 'cultural shows' you'll see in hotel lounges.

Probably the most famous novel set in Mauritius is Paul et Virginie, a rather sappy love story by French author Bernadin de St Pierre that you'll find reference to across the island. Famous Mauritian authors include Malcom de Chazal, Robert Edward Hart, Edouard Maunick, the brothers Loys and André Masson and humourist Yvan Lagesse. René Asgarally and Ramesh Ramdoyal are the best known of the contemporary writers producing works in Créole. Both Joseph Conrad and Mark Twain visited the island and wrote of their experiences, and Charles Baudelaire's very first poem, A une Dame Créole (To a Créole Woman), was written in the Mauritian town of Pamplemousses.

One highlight of a visit to Mauritius is the magnificent mixture of cuisines on offer. The most common varieties are Créole, European, Chinese and Indian, with seafood almost always the specialty. In addition, a typical Mauritian buffet might include a Muslim biryani, Indian chicken curry, Chinese pork dish, Créole roast beef and French-style vegetables. Boiled rice is served with just about everything. Common dishes include rougaille, a Mediterranean dish of tomatoes, onions, garlic and any kind of meat or fish, and daube, an octopus stew. Favorite local beverages includes lassi, a refreshing yogurt and ice-water drink, and alouda, a syrupy brew of agar, milk and flavourings that's available everywhere from streetside vendors. Locally produced beer and rum are potent, plentiful and cheap; wines are expensive and usually imported from France or South Africa.

Environment

Mauritius is a volcanic island, measuring 58km (36mi) from north to south and 47km (29mi) from east to west - about two-thirds the size of Luxembourg or the US state of Rhode Island. It lies in the Indian Ocean, roughly 800km (500mi) east of Madagascar, 3860km (2400mi) south-west of India and 220km (135mi) north-east of its nearest neighbour, Réunion. With about 600 people per square kilometre, Mauritius has one of the highest population densities in the world. As a country, it includes the inhabited island of Rodrigues, some 560km (350mi) to the north-east, and other scattered coral atolls such as Cargados Carajos and Agalega.

The island rises steeply in the south to a central plateau and slopes gently down to the northern coast beyond the mountains that back the capital, Port Louis. Unlike neighbouring Réunion, Mauritius has no active volcanoes, although remnants of volcanic activity - such as Trou aux Cerfs crater in Curepipe and millions of lava boulders - pepper the island. Mauritius is surrounded by a coral reef and lined by a few long stretches of white sand beach. The reef is broken in several places, with the largest break evident in the pounding surf along the black cliffs between Souillac and Le Bouchon on the southern coast. A smaller, less spectacular break occurs at Flic en Flac on the west coast.

The last decade has seen Mauritian conservationists scrambling to protect the paltry 1% of original forest remaining on the island. The largest nature reserve is the Black River Gorges National Park at the south-western end of the island. Other reserves include Le Pouce, Île Ronde, Île aux Serpents, Île aux Aigrettes and Bois Sec. Visitor access is (or will be) restricted at many reserves, as most are tiny in size and enclose the last vestiges of rare species.

There's not much to mention in the way of Mauritian wildlife. You're likely to bump into a mongoose or two during your stay and perhaps the odd Java deer, but without heading deep into the interior, the ubiquitous 'domestic' guard dog is about all you'll see. Inland, look for wild pigs and bands of macaque monkeys.

Conversely, Mauritius' trees and skies are rich with birdlife, although many of the most spectacular species are following in the footsteps of the island's most famous one-time resident, the dodo. On the endangered species list are the Mauritius kestrel (once the rarest bird on earth), the echo parakeet (still the rarest of that species) and the pink pigeon. Sadly, the 'threatened' list goes on from there. The predominant species on the island are introduced songbirds, such as the little red Madagascar fody, the jive talking Indian mynah and - most common of all - the red-whiskered bulbul.

Beneath the waves, the tally improves. The abundant marine life found in Mauritian waters includes corals, mollusks, turtles, dolphins, four types of whale and innumerable fish. Of the island's 900 plant species, almost a third are endemic to Mauritius. Some of the most common examples are giant Indian banyans, beach-hugging casuarinas and brilliant red-flowering flamboyants.

The Mauritian climate is a mixed affair.

Atop the plateau, Curepipe's temperatures average a few degrees cooler than those on the coast; it's also common to find rain in Curepipe while the beaches enjoy blue skies and vice versa. Similarly, east coast weather differs from that of the west coast - the former being much drier during January and February, when prevailing winds drive in from the east, race up the mountains and dump rain on central and western Mauritius. There is no monsoon season, though cyclones hit the island every 15 years or so between November and May. During these months, there are usually a few days of heavy rains that keep everybody cooped up indoors. Light rains fall year round. The highest average daytime temperatures occur from January to April and top out around 35°C (95°F). The coolest period is from July to September, when temperatures average 24°C (75°F) during the day and 16°C (60°F) at night. Humidity is generally highest between October and June.

Getting There & Away

Apart from a handful of people who arrive by yacht or cruise ship, visitors to Mauritius fly into the country. Many flights originate in France, but there are also flights from several African, Asian and European capitals as well as from the US (via Europe) and Australia. You must have a return or onward ticket before arriving in Mauritius. The departure tax is roughly US$10. Cargo ships ply the Indian Ocean regularly, though few take passengers. You're more likely to find passage on the private yachts that call in at Mauritius outside of cyclone season, berthing at Grand Baie or Port Louis. Still, opportunities are rare. About the only guaranteed way to come or go by sea is to book fare on the MV Mauritius Pride, which cruises several times a month between Mauritius and Réunion, or to board one of the cruise liners that periodically drops anchor in Port Louis.

Getting Around

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is near Mahébourg in south-eastern Mauritius, at the opposite end of the island from Port Louis. While there are no direct airport buses, express buses travel between the capital and Mahébourg several times a day, stopping at the airport. Allow yourself at least two hours from Port Louis. Air Mauritius flies to Rodrigues Island (about 90 minutes) daily; the company also offer 15-20 minute helicopter tours of Mauritius. For those with money to burn, the helicopters can be hired by the hour. The MV Mauritius Pride plies the waters between Mauritius and Rodrigues several times per month.

Mauritian buses are generally good - albeit a bit slow - and can take you to (or near) just about any place on the island. There are several different operators, none of which cover the entire island. Port Louis and Curepipe are the main hubs. Tickets are cheap and should be kept handy, as inspectors check them frequently. Mauritian roads range from smooth to potholed and pavement-free. Driving is sketchy at best on Mauritius, with speed limits often ignored, headlights a rarity and weaving pedestrians all too common. If you think you're up to it, you can rent a car in one of the major towns or at the airport. Smallish motorbikes can be rented around Grand Baie. All drivers should have an international drivers' licence, and most rental agencies require drivers to be over 23. Driving is on the left. Bicycles and boats can be rented wherever tourists congregate.

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