As seafarers from India, Africa, China and Europe plied the waters of the Indian Ocean, the truly fortunate fell upon Mauritius, a beautiful island surrounded by virtually unbroken coral reef.

Initially named 'Dina Robin', meaning 'Isle of Silver', Mauritius is a real treasure. Naturally, all comers fought furiously to keep this jewel for themselves and Mauritius is today a blend of the resulting cultural influences.

To imagine Mauritius is to imagine a romantic paradise - pristine turquoise lagoons teeming with colourful fish, mile upon mile of idyllic beaches fringed by lush green sugarcane and superb hotels, where your every need will be met with a smile.

The beaches and water sports have a magnetic lure here but it's hard to ignore the island's other bounties. There are superb Botanical Gardens and old plantation houses but best of all is the island's interior. Here you can explore the verdant central plateau where twisted mountain peaks rise up dramatically providing startling scenery.