Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. The mountainous interior includes Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife like the flying fox. Capital Port Louis has sites such as the Champs de Mars horse track, Eureka plantation house and 18th-century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens.

Language: English and French.

Flight time from the UK (London): Approximately 12 hours.

Arrival Airport: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.

BEST TIME TO GO…

Mauritius has a year-round, consistently warm and sunny climate. Temperatures can reach 35 degrees during the summer months between November and April, but even during the Mauritian winter, which runs April to October, temperatures are still around a balmy 22 degrees. The best time to see the famous Victoria amazonica water lilies is in the summer months, they are particularly beautiful in January, so it‚s well-worth planning your Mauritius holiday to co-incide with this.