HIGHLIGHTS OF MAURITIUS & REUNION

14 Days / 13 Nights
Escorted and departing ex Perth Saturday 10 June 2006

Saturday 10 June: Perth to Mauritius
Late Friday evening, you’ll be collected from your residence and transferred to the airport for our Air Mauritius flight to Mauritius. On arrival at the south of the island, we’ll be met and transferred to Le Preskil Hotel which is located on the south-eastern coast. We’ll have immediate check-in and can relax, catch up on sleep and enjoy the resort’s facilities. (B/D)

Lying some 6,000km west of Perth and just above the Tropic of Capricorn, Mauritius is about 65km long and 48km wide.

The island has a central plateau with impressive mountains and is skirted by white sandy beaches. Offshore are coral reefs and crystal clear turquoise waters.

A Garden of Eden with a population of just over 1 million, Mauritius is unique for its diversity: Indians, Creoles, Muslims, French, Chinese and intoxicating mixtures - working together whilst still preserving their traditional cultures.

First known to Arab traders, the island was claimed by the Portuguese in 1510 and occupied by the Dutch between 1598 and 1710. It was colonized by the French in 1715 and the British in 1890, remaining a British colony until it became an independent, but sovereign, state within the Commonwealth in 1968 and (finally) a Republic in 1992.

Sunday 11 June: Southern Sights
We depart this morning to undertake a full day’s sightseeing. This, the “Colourful South” tour will take us via Curepipe, Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Black River Gorges and the coloured earths of Chamarel. A fascinating day and full of interest. (B/L/D)

Monday 12 June: At Leisure
Today will be at leisure, providing the perfect opportunity to catch up socially and to enjoy the warmth; and the facilities of our resort. (B/D)

Tuesday 13 June: Mauritius to Reunion
We depart this morning with Air Mauritius to the island of Reunion. On arrival, we’ll undertake an orientation tour of the island’s capital (St Denis) before transferring to St Gilles, situated on the west coast, where we stay 5 nights at Les Creoles. (B/D)

Reunion - An Extraordinary Island

And then there’s Reunion. An idyllic French-speaking island with fascination for nature-lovers, trekkers, surfers, beachcombers, sightseers, mountaineers, swimmers and gourmets. In other words, there’s something for everyone on this delightful tropical island. Reunion is a destination not to be missed!

Lying 150kms west of Mauritius and 750kms east of Madagascar, this “volcanic rock” enjoys a temperate tropical climate, with ideal weather conditions throughout most of the year.

This is an intense land “seething” with vitality and colour. Verdant green forests abound throughout the island and huge surf pounds against its glorious shores. The spectacle is one of absolute beauty and a joy to experience.... and there’s an intensity of life (also) amongst Reunion’s harmonious and idyllic mixture of French and Creole cultures and history. An effervescence of nature which may emanate from Piton de la Fournaise - an active volcano which offers the visitor a striking and unforgettable vision.

Visitors will love Reunion’s warmth, its charming multi-cultural society and its atmosphere of unspoiled grandeur. Whether your visit is active or passive, there will be so much you can enjoy in visiting this tropical island “Paradise.”

Wednesday 14 June: Volcano Tour with Lunch
After an early breakfast, we depart at 7am and visit the most impressive site on the island, the massive “Piton de la Fournais” (or Peak of the Furnace), a brooding volcano with over 500,000 years of activity. We drive along the coast before turning inland to the High Plains. The landscape gradually changes and the vegetation decreases as we reach the ”Plaine des Sables,” a vast and strange luna-like expanse showing the results of this ancient volcano’s powerful activity; then continue to “Pas de Bellecombe” where it’s possible to view the huge sunken caldera. After a Creole lunch, we visit La Maison du Volcan, a fascinating museum giving detailed information about the history of the volcano. After a fascinating tour, we return to our hotel around 5pm. (B/L/D)

Thursday 15 June: Cilaos Tour with Lunch
After an early breakast, we depart at 7am to visit the Cirque of Cilaos, formed by the collapse of an old volcano caldera. Our coastal drive brings us to La Riviere Saint-Louis where we stop to admire the flower-filled village before commencing the fantastic scenic mountain drive to the village of CILAOS (altitude 1,200m). This spectacular road offers ever-changing mountain panoramas dominated by the majestic Piton des Neiges, the highest mountain on Reunion. Time is given to admire the dramatic scenery enroute and to take a stroll around the village before enjoying lunch in Cilaos. We visit the Maison de la Broderie (Embroidery Museum and Craft Centre) for which Cilaos is famous, before returning to our hotel around 5pm. (B/L/D)

Friday 16 June: At leisure
We can relax or undertake excursions as may be arranged. (B/D)

Saturday 17 June: Salazie Tour with Lunch 
After a leisurely breakfast, we depart for St Andre, at the the north of the Island, where we make a stop at the Tamoul Temple Coloss, then proceed via the Vanilla House and past almost 100 waterfalls, including the "Bridal Veil." We then continue to the village of Hell Bourg, wonderfully endowed with authentic creole houses, where we indulge in a creole lunch. After a most rewarding visit, we return to St Gilles. (B/L/D)                        

Sunday 18 June: Reunion to Mauritius
We depart today for our flight to Mauritius where we’ll be met and transferred to the Veranda Hotel, located on the beach on the northern coast (nearby Grand Baie). Our stay here will be for 5 nights, providing ample time to enjoy the sights, flavours and delights of the delightful Isle Maurice. (B/D)

Monday 19 June: Morning visit to L’Áventure du Sucre
This morning we visit L’Aventure du Sucre, a fascinating museum located in an old sugar mill, which details the importance of sugar to the Mauritian economy. After a fascinating visit, we proceed to Grand Baie for sightseeing before returning to the hotel. This afternoon is at leisure. (B/D)

Tuesday 20 June: Morning “Tropical Spices” tour 
After a relaxed breakfast, we undertake a morning tour, this time visiting the colourful markets of Port Louis (where we can bargain for souvenirs), the fabulous gardens of Pamplemousse & the delightfully revitalised Caudan Waterfront. After a lovely morning’s touring, we can relax at our resort. (B/D)

Wednesday 21 June: At leisure
You might wish to join in activities as may have been arranged or, alternatively, why not take your book and relax under the palms, or by the beachfront. There’s always a lot happening on the water and it’s a delightful way to pass the day. (B/D)

Thursday 22 June: “Charms & Flavours” with Lunch
We depart this morning for a full day of sightseeing, exploring examples of Mauritian heritage. We visit the Tea Factory, Le St Aubin Vanilla House, Crocodile Park and a Glass Factory. Lunch is included in today’s programme which will be both interesting and varied. Tonight, you will be able to reflect (with your travelling companions) on what will have been an exciting and value-packed holiday. (B/D)

Friday 23 June: Mauritius to Perth
After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll be transferred back to the airport for our flight with Air Mauritius, returning to Perth late this evening. You will be met on arrival and transferred back to your residence.

HOLIDAY COSTS
Ex Perth	Twin Room	Share Single
13 night Mauritius & Reunion	$5,003	$5,612
Check for conditions.