Food and drink Green island rum is the country’s speciality and is pretty potent. Tours of distilleries are available and free samples are provided at the Domain les Pailles distillery.

Despite British rule, there is surprisingly little British influence in Mauritian food. Cuisine is a mouth-watering mix of French, Indian and Chinese, all adapted to create a unique Mauritian taste.

Being an island, fish is incredibly popular and amazingly cheap. Freshly caught marlin, octopus, tuna and squid are widely available. Some of the best seafood on the island is available at the Hotel Cote d’Azur restaurant in Grand Baie.

Street vendors supply local favourites including gateaux piments (chilli cakes) and dhal puri with rougaille – a type of flat bread filled with a spicy tomato based sauce.

Driving

People drive on the left side of the road in Mauritius. All visitors with a full driving licence from a competent authority are permitted to drive.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport lies in the southwest of Mauritius in Mahebourg. Direct flights take 11 hours from the UK and are operated by Air Mauritius and British Airways from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Indirect flights are available on a number of carriers including Emirates, Air Seychelles and Air France.