The Island of Mauritius is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating vacation destinations in Africa. Mostly renowned for its tropical beauty and sandy beaches, Mauritius also offers a cultural travel experience sometimes easily overlooked. The traditions, religion, and culture of Mauritius borrows from the many immigrant populations that have been to the island's shores in different periods of Mauritius history. Today, the culture of this Island is a beautiful amalgam of several cultures.
The unique cultural mix in Mauritius is composed of Indians, Europeans, Chinese, Africans and other inhabitants who all have their own cultural celebrations and religious festivals. In deed many of these customs have been around for more than four centuries.
What makes Mauritius an interesting destination for cultural travel is the harmonious co-existence of diverse cultures. In the island, it is common to find mosques right next to a church, or a Chinese pagoda adjacent to a Hindu temple. A journey through the island is really a study into amazing ancestral traditional practices.
The rich cultural heritage of Mauritius is also manifested in the country's cuisine, which is a mixture of oriental cuisine brought in by Indian and Chinese migrants, and traditional western cuisine from the island's colonial past. There are also several foods unique to Mauritius, some of which combine the finest flavors of the west and the east to suit the Mauritius' distinct taste.
While traveling in Mauritius, you may also be interested in watching the unique folk dances of the island. These, alongside the folklore, are yet another indication of the depth of the Mauritius culture. You can also watch Mauritius dancers perform sophisticated Indian dances as well as traditional Chinese dances like the dragon dance and the lion dance.
Mauritius has a fair share of wildlife and bird species, including some brightly colored birds. The game parks are a great place to see most of these. Other places worth visiting for relaxation include the capital city - Port Louis, and the neighboring Mahebourg town. Adventure travel enthusiasts will also find it worthwhile visiting Rodrigues for diving, Caverne Patate for caving, Mount Limon and Mount Malartic for trekking expeditions, and the area around Port Mathurin for coastal hiking.
Entering Mauritius requires a visa unless you are a national of a Commonwealth country, the EU, Japan or USA. Always check updated visa requirements prior to travel. Mauritius is well connected by international air carriers and shipping companies. There are several monthly shipping services between Mauritius and Reunion - contact the Mauritius Shipping Corporation in Port Louis.
Air Mauritius, the national carrier,operates daily flights to Rodrigues Island. There are several tour operators and car rental agencies as well as buses and taxis. Buses are slow moving while taxis, though easily available, are expensive, especially after dark. You are advised to negotiate the fares before starting. Boats can also be rented in Mauritius at major tourist hotspots.
The best period to go on luxury holiday in Mauritius is from July to September, when both the temperatures and humidity are lower. The time between January and April experiences tropical rain, and is therefore suitable when you plan to spend most of the time indoors in a romantic vacation.
The unique cultural mix in Mauritius is composed of Indians, Europeans, Chinese, Africans and other inhabitants who all have their own cultural celebrations and religious festivals. In deed many of these customs have been around for more than four centuries.
What makes Mauritius an interesting destination for cultural travel is the harmonious co-existence of diverse cultures. In the island, it is common to find mosques right next to a church, or a Chinese pagoda adjacent to a Hindu temple. A journey through the island is really a study into amazing ancestral traditional practices.
The rich cultural heritage of Mauritius is also manifested in the country's cuisine, which is a mixture of oriental cuisine brought in by Indian and Chinese migrants, and traditional western cuisine from the island's colonial past. There are also several foods unique to Mauritius, some of which combine the finest flavors of the west and the east to suit the Mauritius' distinct taste.
While traveling in Mauritius, you may also be interested in watching the unique folk dances of the island. These, alongside the folklore, are yet another indication of the depth of the Mauritius culture. You can also watch Mauritius dancers perform sophisticated Indian dances as well as traditional Chinese dances like the dragon dance and the lion dance.
Mauritius has a fair share of wildlife and bird species, including some brightly colored birds. The game parks are a great place to see most of these. Other places worth visiting for relaxation include the capital city - Port Louis, and the neighboring Mahebourg town. Adventure travel enthusiasts will also find it worthwhile visiting Rodrigues for diving, Caverne Patate for caving, Mount Limon and Mount Malartic for trekking expeditions, and the area around Port Mathurin for coastal hiking.
Entering Mauritius requires a visa unless you are a national of a Commonwealth country, the EU, Japan or USA. Always check updated visa requirements prior to travel. Mauritius is well connected by international air carriers and shipping companies. There are several monthly shipping services between Mauritius and Reunion - contact the Mauritius Shipping Corporation in Port Louis.
Air Mauritius, the national carrier,operates daily flights to Rodrigues Island. There are several tour operators and car rental agencies as well as buses and taxis. Buses are slow moving while taxis, though easily available, are expensive, especially after dark. You are advised to negotiate the fares before starting. Boats can also be rented in Mauritius at major tourist hotspots.
The best period to go on luxury holiday in Mauritius is from July to September, when both the temperatures and humidity are lower. The time between January and April experiences tropical rain, and is therefore suitable when you plan to spend most of the time indoors in a romantic vacation.
About the Author:
The Author works with Africa Point, online travel agents for Africa. Find great offers on Mauritius beach holidays and also make online reservations for Mauritius hotels at the Africapoint website
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