28 mauritius & reunion
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introduction of its Hidden Beaches brochure last September [2013], promising serious relaxation with a bit of exploration. “Clients are surprised by how much
more there is to Mauritius, and its culture, scenery and wildlife,” says Kate Samuel, Regional Product Manager at Audley. “It’s also great value compared to its Indian Ocean nieghbours.”
Rainbow Tours’ ‘Mauritius and Madagascar’ twin-centre, introduced in this year, has proven exceptionally popular, the operator says. It includes wildlife watching in Andasibe-Mantadia rainforest park and begins at £2295 for 14 days.
Reunion Island With dramatic volcanic scenery, the euro as its currency, and adventure aplenty, Reunion Island, 200kms southwest of Mauritius, is a relative newcomer to the UK market that is starting to draw attention. “Reunion Island is becoming increasingly popular as both a destination in its own right and as part of a two-centre holiday with Mauritius,” says Shamira Kaumaya-Hatt, Commercial Director at Sunset Faraway
“Understand Mauritius is more than just a beach destination. Offer island twin centres, combining the experience of a stay inland along with a traditional beach resort”
JOHANNA BROMILEY, PRODUCT MANAGER - INDIAN OCEAN & MIDDLE EAST, TURQUOISE HOLIDAYS
2015, with three (three- to fi ve-star) west coast hotels with different appeal to couples and families, a self-drive option and add-on excursions – all private – an English-speaking guide and a must-do scenic helicopter trip. “This French island is a destination that most people haven’t considered, and very different, which is part of its charm,” says Kuoni’s Sheena Paton.
What’s new Airlines: Emirates (
emirates.com) will increase its A380 service between Dubai and Mauritius
Holidays, which has featured the destination for several years.
The 10-day elements tour via Mauritius includes trekking up Piton de la Fournaise live volcano, aqua-hiking through caves and paragliding at Saint Leu. Prices start from £3,199pp.
Rainbow Tours, which has been sending a steady trickle of travellers to Reunion Island for years, believes the island has plenty to offer. “Reunion Island is only a 45-minute fl ight hop from Mauritius, and yet completely different, so we encourage people to visit both,” says Derek Shuurman, the operator’s Africa specialist. “The helicopter trip over the live volcano is a once-in-a- lifetime experience, and there’s a fantastic music festival in November.” Reunion is new to Kuoni’s Indian Ocean brochure in
sellingtravel.co.uk
to double daily this month [December]. Accommodation: Transformations in 2014 have included Starwood’s fi ve-star sumptuous Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa (westinturtlebaymauritius. com) (ex-Grand Mauritian) which opened this September and boutique three-star, Friday Attitude (
friday-hotel-mauritius.com) (ex-Bougainville) in the east, with new family units with separate kids room and all-inclusive packages. The new four-star Maritim Crystals Beach
Hotel (
maritim.com) at Belle Mare opened this autumn, with 181 large rooms and suites, extensive land and watersports, a kids club, wellness centre and conference room. Flagship facelifts have included Beachcomber’s The Royal Palm (beachcomber-
hotels.com), with expansive luxury suites, a new lap pool and reinvented Italian restaurant
Clockwise from top left: One&Only Le Saint Geran, the church at Cap Malheureux, fi shing for supper and, left, a ride atop one of Mauritius’ giant turtles
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