Join a cookery class with a master…Seven nights half board at the five-star-plus Royal Palm Hotel costs from £2,299* in a junior suite, including the Master Class.

1. Date 12 January 2013
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Mauritius is an Indian Ocean giant tortoise and green geckos. carte and two that offer menu of
paradise — a volcanic island of Gardeners can take a wander the day), enjoy a huge selection
lagoons, cobalt-blue waters and around the shady avenues of of wines and drinks — including
palm-fringed white beaches the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolan champagne by the glass from
encircled by coral reefs — but its Botanical Gardens, where magical 6pm — and relish poolside and
allure is even stronger than that lily ponds lie beneath myriad beachside service.
offered by the idyllic combination palms. Other forays can include It’s all about utter relaxation,
of sun, sand and sea. a stop at the Creole colonial from a complimentary massage
Its landscape is spectacular, with museum, a bird park or a model in the Spa and Wellness Centre for
swathes of virgin forest covering boat factory. guests staying four nights or longer
spiky peaks and deep gorges with The Domaine les Pailles with its to numerous fun activities —
roaring waterfalls. It’s a magnet for reconstruction of an 18th-century there’s even a sailing centre.
explorers and birdwatchers. planter’s house and sugar mill, Sumptuous accommodation
That’s the wilder side. Mauritius rum distillery and restaurants benefits from a triple-aspect sea
also boasts an array of top-class makes a great family day out. frontage and ranges from superior
attractions for every type of visitor Visitors soon understand why and deluxe rooms with beachfront
— from superb water sports, Mauritius is billed as a “world in options to two-bedroom family
outstanding golf and indulgent one island”. Geographically it may apartments and senior suites.
spas to fascinating culture. be situated off the east coast of With three crescents of fine sand,
Such rich variety makes tailor- Africa but it is an intoxicating sheltered bays for water sports,
made advice essential. Tropical infusion of Asian, African, French a nine-hole pitch-and-putt golf
Sky, in partnership with Air and British influences. course, six tennis courts and the
Mauritius and Beachcomber Mauritians — mostly bilingual Beachcomber Sport and Nature
Hotels, is an expert in conjuring in French and English — pride eco-programme (which includes
bespoke holidays to this beautiful themselves on warm hospitality. trekking, mountain biking,
island. Tropical Sky, the specialist Hindus, Muslims, Creoles, canoeing and canyoning), there’s
in long-haul luxury travel, can Europeans and Chinese live something for everyone and the
create the perfect holiday for harmoniously while retaining their friendly hotel staff can really help
adventurous families, romantic ancestral cultures. Increasingly, the you to make the most of your time
couples, nature lovers, golfers, island is attracting gastro-tourists in Mauritius. Or you may prefer to
water sports aficionados and keen to savour the diverse range simply worship the sun by one
devotees of the beach and spa. of culinary styles that has of the lovely swimming pools.
There’s so much to see and do subsequently developed. Other outstanding Beachcomber
in Mauritius, from the active to the A major part of the whole hotels in Mauritius include
seriously passive. Every way you Mauritian experience, however, The Royal Palm, a standard-setter
look, there’s a gorgeous view. is your destination hotel. in luxurious hotels in the Indian
To get the full perspective, take Beachcomber owns and manages Ocean, famed for its superb cuisine
a boat trip — maybe a fish-spotting eight of the most superior hotels in from international chefs such as
expedition in a glass-bottomed Mauritius, all of which feature in Tom Aikens (see panel, right).
boat, or a deep-sea fishing cruise, Tropical Sky’s portfolio. Understated elegance is the vibe
or a visit to the salt pans in the An all-inclusive arrangement at the Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa.
Bay of Tamarin — and look back makes for the ultimate stress-free The Paradis Hotel & Golf Club and
towards the jagged ridges and holiday. This is available at the the Trou aux Biches Resort & Spa
peaks that rise in sheer cliffs out family hideaway Le Victoria and are both set on exquisite beaches,
of the lush plains. the spacious beachside resort while Le Mauricia has access to the
That should inspire you to visit Le Canonnier — and also at the shops and bars of Grand Baie.
the Black River Gorges National five-star Shandrani Resort & Spa, Holiday example with Tropical
Park inland, brilliant for hiking. which sits on a private peninsula Sky: seven nights at the five-star
Tiny islands make perfect surrounded by 70 acres of gardens Shandrani Resort & Spa costs from
excursions. The Ile aux Aigrettes — and the Blue Bay Marine Park. £1,499pp* in a sea-facing room.
protected by the Mauritius Wildlife Here, the Shandrani Serenity
Fund — boasts a variety of Plus option entitles you to dine in
creatures such the Aldabra all restaurants (including two à la
i i d k
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2. Date 12 January 2013
Page 29
Mauritius is an ideal destination
for those who place fine food
towards the top of their agenda.
To add a fantastic extra
dimension to a gastro-holiday,
Tom Aikens will host Master
Classes at the Royal Palm Hotel
from March 25 to 27 this year.
The youngest chef ever to be
awarded two Michelin stars, Tom
will present the modern French
cookery that has brought
acclaim to his London restaurant.
Air Mauritius is proud to have you board the aircraft and that He will use local ingredients offer below) and include two
been voted the leading airline in small personal touches make to re-craft his signature dishes. classes with Tom, champagne
the Indian Ocean at the World your journey more enjoyable. Guests will sample the fusion on the beach with a
Travel Awards for the eighth All seats feature individual 9in of Indian, Creole, Chinese and demonstration of Mauritian
consecutive year. touch-screen seat-back screens European influences that spice cuisine hosted by Royal Palm’s
The airline offers four non- with a huge choice of video and up Mauritius’ cuisine. Tom says: award-winning chef Michel de
stop flights from London each audio channels on demand. “It is a great honour to partner Matteis, plus three four-course
week, with regional connections Business Class provides with a leading gastronomic hotel dinners cooked by Tom.
available, so there’s great lie-flat seats with a massage and I’m sure I will learn a few Seven nights half-board at the
flexibility over your holiday plans. option and inflatable lumbar things along the way, too!” five-star-plus Royal Palm Hotel
Air Mauritius uses two next- pouches for extra comfort, The Master Classes cost costs from £2,299* in a junior
generation Airbus A340-300E personalised cabin service and £150pp (but see Tropical Sky suite, including the Master Class.
aircraft, giving passengers the Mauritian cuisine.
choice of either Business Class In addition, there are pre-
or a greatly enhanced Economy bookable seats in either class,
class cabin. and both golf clubs and wedding
The airline understands that dresses fly free (one additional
your holiday begins the minute piece of luggage up to 20kg).
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3. Date 12 January 2013
Page 29
Idyllic: guests at Beachcomber hotels can expect beachfront locations, dreamy dining and special touches
Call the experts at Tropical Sky on 0843 249 5855 or visit tropicalsky.co.uk
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