FEATURE INDIAN OCEAN
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
BY JANE ANDERSON, TRAVEL WRITER “Mauritius is catching up fast with the demand for extreme sports. The last time I visited I went on a life-affirming trek up The Pouce, the third-highest mountain in Mauritius, peaking at 812m, with Yan de Maroussem, an eight-generation French Mauritian who runs Yanature Adventures (00 230 785 6177, www.
trekkingilemaurice.com). This fabulous adventure company offers a choice of treks, climbs and excursions in the western region of Mauritius and is living proof of a new ecological consciousness on the island. Alternatively in Domaine de L’Etoile
(
www.cieletnature.com) there are archery courses, hiking, mountain biking and motorised circuits by quad or 4x4. Or how about zip lining at the Saint Felix Sugar Estate (
www.dosomethingdifferent.com)? To ride through the surf on horseback,
the Haras du Morne stables (00 230 450 5247,
harasdumorne.com) in the shadow of Le Morne Brabant takes everyone from beginners to experienced riders along the nearby beaches or on wild mountain treks.”
Clockwise from top left: Relaxing in North Island, Seychelles; Velassaru Maldives, a private coral island; Sri Lankan wildlife; mountainous Mauritius is great for activities, from horse riding to zip lining
28 September 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
remain popular for their all-inclusive
options. I think The Seychelles is one of the most stunning destinations in the world but it costs at least £2,000pp.”
Where To Book It ELEGANT RESORTS - 01244 897517
www.elegantresorts.co.uk Seven nights at Frégate Island Private, Seychelles, start from £11,495pp based on two sharing a one-bedroom villa on a full-board basis, with economy flights and private boat and car transfers.
KUONI - 01306 747008
www.kuoni.co.uk Seven nights at Lily Beach in the Maldives is prcied from £4,315pp, on an all-inclusive platinum plan (including all food, drinks with branded alcohol, activities and some trips to other islands), flights and transfers.
IF ONLY - 0141 955 4000
www.ifonly.net A seven-night deal at Diva Maldives is priced from £1,465pp in a deluxe room with breakfast, return flights and seaplane transfers.
SUNSET FARAWAY HOLIDAYS 020 8774 7100
www.sunset.co.uk Seven nights in a deluxe room at the Grand Mauritian start from £1,399pp, half-board with flights and transfers.
"With the strong euro family clients are fi nding Maldives as affordable as Europe"
KUONI - 01306 747008
www.kuoni.co.uk A five-night deal at Club Bentota in Sri Lanka are from £869pp, all-inclusive with flights and transfers.
Room Report The Residence Mauritius's Indian Ocean sister property, The Residence Zanzibar (
www.theresidence.com), has opened with 66 pool villas. The Residence Maldives is set to open spring 2012. Universal Resorts’ Velassaru, Maldives (www.
velassaru.com) has a new water suite with its own infinity pool, while Kuramathi (
www.kuramathi.com) has new honeymoon pool villas, complete with an open-air garden bathroom with a freestanding bath for two and a private lap pool. Naiade Resorts’ Maldives flagship,
Diva (
www.naiade.com) has launched a Marine Biology Centre where guests can join in research and a weekly ‘Whale Shark Education Day’. The Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives (www.
centarahotelsresorts.com) has a new underwater wedding package, from around £434.
In the Seychelles, Maia (
www.maia.
com.sc) has upped its arsenal of ‘big boys toys’ with a resort helipad and an amphibian boat, Sealegs. Luxury island resort, Desroches (
www.desroches-
island.com) has opened its new Escape Spa, using Elemental Herbology products.
Who Flies There? Air Mauritius and British Airways fly direct to Mauritius and Emirates fly there via Dubai. All three carriers run a daily service in September. Air Seychelles flies twice a week
from Heathrow via Rome or Milan to Seychelles. Emirates and Qatar also offer a good service with one stopover. Etihad Airways has announced it will begin flights from London and Manchester to Mahé on November 1 2011 via Abu Dhabi. British Airways and Sri Lankan are
the only direct scheduled carrier's to the Maldives. Emirates fly via Dubai with many regional departures such as Glasgow and Birmingham; Oman Air flies via Muscat and Qatar via Doha.
Agent Training THE SEYCHELLES
www.seychellessuperstar.co.uk •
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