• Fascinating island - scenically varied and beautiful with a real mix of cultures - big French influence. Lots to do and see - feels very exotic.
• White sand beaches, clear, warm Indian Ocean.
• Great Creole cuisine.
• Very high quality hotels with plenty of facilities for children yet no compromise on standards/service/atmosphere for adults.
• No charter flights: there's a definite emphasis on quality tourism.
• Time difference is +GMT - which makes jet lag easier and quicker to deal with.

Things to think about:

• Flight time. It’s around 12 hours, although flights are at night which helps. Won’t help your circulation though with a heavy under 2-year-old on your lap. Book a skycot if you can.
• High quality tourism means most things are relatively expensive. And hotel wise, quality means expense.
• Fewer free night/child free deals than Caribbean.

Vaccinations: Hepatitis A/Typhoid/Tetanus/Polio/Malaria (some parts of country).

When to go: Year round destination, although very best time: May-June, September-October

Capital: Port Louis

Currency: Mauritian ruppee approx £1=40 rupees

Language: English, French, creole

Mauritius links: check weather /Air Mauritius/hotels at http://www.maurinet.com/ or www.ercoli.com