An island in the heart of the Indian Ocean where cultural melange is a way of life. Among expanses of sand, black ebony forests and scenic colonial residences

It is the most evocative image of <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/travel/salt-l-mauritius-otherwise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mauritius</a>, a small volcanic island of the Mascarene archipelago, in the heart of the Indian Ocean: the explosion of bright red of the grandiose flamboyants, the trees of fire. The bright colours are the stylistic feature of Dina Arobi, the glittering island or the desert island, as the Arabs nicknamed it in 1200 . Unexpected coup de foudre are the coloured earths of Chamarel, a palette of ocher, hazelnut, amber and gold, intertwined with each other, capable of changing nuances based on the time of day and sunlight and the Pamplemousse botanical garden where Victoria Regia lotus flowers compete for the title of superstar with the giant water lilies of the Amazon. The mystical and spiritual soul of Mauritius, in which &nbsp; Hindu and Tamil temples, mosques and Christian churches coexist, it is all enclosed in the sacred lake Ganga Talao, which legend has it is the fruit of a tear of Shiva and where the gods Visnu and Shiva compete for the sky while the Maha Shivaratri, the great night of Shiva, it is the magical moment in which pilgrims purify themselves and receive a blessing, to the tune of the bhajan. Joseph Conrad was enchanted by it and the island was a source of inspiration, so much so that he described it as " A pearl that distils great sweetness on the world " .

Chateau de Bel Ombre

The Legend golf course

A beach

Constance Belle Mare Plage

To the south, the Bel Ombre nature reserve is worth a visit, with its sugar cane plantations, on which stands the Ch&acirc;teau Bel Ombre, a splendid colonial residence immersed in well-kept French gardens that give way to ebony forests and rare plants endemic, and to the imposing silhouette of Le Morne Brabant, a monolithic block of basalt rock that became the symbol of the suffering of the slaves. The dodo , extinct at the hands of the Dutch in 1681 and last sighted on the Ile aux Aigrettes, has become the emblem of ecosystem protection. And it is on this paradise of only 27 hectares, made up of coral limestone, that it is possible to observe what remains of the dry coastal forest that once covered much of the island as well as native plants, turtles, birds and reptiles in danger of extinction.
You have to go up the east coast to find 2 legendary golf courses, the Link and the Legend, which have made Mauritius one of the most sought-after destinations for fans of this sport. Both belong to Constance Belle Mare Plage. The colonial imprint can be felt throughout the island and today what remains are wonderful residences such as the Chateau de Labourdonnais in Mapou, in neoclassical style. Here you can taste it rum, an integral part of the culture and history of Mauritius. The plantation-style atmosphere characterizes the Sugar Beach Resort, a perfect fusion of vintage glamor and <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/design/11-interior-designers-worth-following-on-instagram" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contemporary interiors</a>, on the stretch of sand of Flic en Flac with a backdrop of Le Morne Brabant. At Budda Bar Beach you are barefoot, enjoying amazing sushi. Palme d'Or for the front view of Le Morne at the Sand Suites Resort &amp; Spa , on Tamarin Bay.

Mauritius: The Ideal Destination for the Christmas Holidays

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