Culture Around two-thirds of Mauritians are of Indian origin, descended from indentured labourers brought to work in the sugar industry. A further high percentage is Creole (mixed French and African descent), alongside some Chinese and those of Franco-Mauritian descent. Hinduism is the predominant religion, followed by Christianity, Islam and Buddhism, with many religious and cultural festivals… Continue reading Culture
Cuisine Expect a palate-pleasing mix of French, Creole, Indian, Chinese and British influences, with everything from croissants to curries on the menu. Some local dishes to try include dhal puris, rotis filled with dal and pickles and served with curry, and the popular Creole stew of rougaille, with meat or fish, garlic, onion and thyme. Or… Continue reading Cuisine
When to visit Mauritius is at its coolest from May to September, although temperatures rarely drop below 25C. December to April is when the island is at its hottest and most humid and when it also has the highest chance of rain, the volume of which can vary across the island.
Culture The islanders are mainly descended from African slaves bought here by the French and later freed by the British. Chinese merchants and traders also started arriving around 150 years ago, contributing to the Creole mix, along with Europeans and Indians before them. The people live a relatively simple life and tourism here is both young… Continue reading Culture
Wildlife Seychelles is a unique environment, which sustains a very special biodiversity. It is special for a number of different reasons. These are the oldest oceanic islands to be found anywhere on Earth. Seychelles is home to Aldabra, the largest coral atoll in the world, and an endangered species in itself. The country can boast 12… Continue reading Wildlife
When to visit There’s a tropical year-round climate with sunny temperatures averaging between 24C and 30C. Rain, sometimes heavy, is common December-February. During the drier months between May and September, the southeast trade winds can bring breezy relief, but will also mean rougher seas
Culture The Maldives boasts a rich cultural mix because of its position on the historical spice route. The food is heavily influenced by South India and Sri Lanka featuring a lot of chilli, lime and coconut. The traditional Maldivian drums known as ‘bodu beru’ and the accompanying dance comes from Africa and many of the country’s… Continue reading Culture
Geography The Maldives is made up of over 1,192 coral islands in 26 coralline atolls. Islands on the outer ring of each atoll have a coral reef on one side of the island and a lagoon on the other side. The islands in the middle of the atoll tend to have a coral reef that covers… Continue reading Geography
When to visit The best weather is December to February, with low humidity, blue skies and only occasional rain, and pricing reflects that. Temperatures peak In March and April and prices tend to come down, with the lowest season being May-November (except August for school holidays) when there is a higher chance of rain and storms.