These past couple of years Mauritian travel professionals have suffered from the international economic slow-down. Instead of waiting for the situation to improve, they have used this period in order to invest and reinvent themselves in order to offer their guests the best return on their money.

Hence it is a great honor for the tiny paradise island of Mauritius to collect so many rewards as they have in the recent World Travel Awards ceremony. For the 3rd consecutive time, Mauritius has claimed the award of leading Indian Ocean destination!

The national Mauritian carrier, Air Mauritius has once again claimed the title of leading airline in the Indian Ocean (since 2005) with 26 destinations in Asia, Africa, Indian Ocean and Europe serviced by a fleet of 12 aircrafts. The SSR international airport has also claimed the award of leading airport in the region for the third consecutive time.

As far as hotels and resorts are concerned, the leading beach destination title goes to Trou aux biches. The former Taj Exotica now called Maradiva villas resort and spa (located in Wolmar) has claimed the title of leading hotel in the entire region. The first spot in the category of resorts was grabbed by none other than the Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa.

The past year has seen several cruise ships dropping anchor in Port-Louis, the island’s capital. These are usually year long cruises stopping for a day after a long period at sea. Welcoming these vessels has also given the local harbor the award for leading cruise port in the Indian Ocean for 2011.

Ile aux Cerfs (Deer island in French) is a small island just off the eastern coast of Mauritius. Despite the name, you won’t be able to see any Deers on it, as they have long left the little island. Nowadays, Ile Aux Cerfs serves as a tourism island, greeting hundreds every day and home to several turtles in a small closed park.

The black rocks protruding into the calm water of the lagoon make the island an ideal place for snorkeling as coral and exotic fish also fall in love with the place.

While on the island you may choose to do absolutely nothing, but lay down on the silk sandy beach and sip a cold Phoenix (local prize winning beer), or if you’re into the underwater experience go diving/snorkeling in the turquoise water. Those looking for more excitement can rent a windsurf or go on a Parasail tour or any other activity offered by local water sports kiosks. If you don’t like getting yourself wet and are more into “traditional” sports, there is an 18-hole championship golf course designed by German golfer, Bernhard Langer. The gold course is operated by Le Touessrok resort.

In order to get on the island you have to get on a boat as it’s the only way.You can get some of the local fishermen or “water taxis” in Trou d’Eau Douce (closest village on the mainland) for a couple hundred rupees per passenger. Be sure to ask them to come and get you back later on during the day, as they will not stay on the island during this period. Most hotels around the island will offer you a tour to the island which also includes the boat fare, otherwise you can ask any taxi driver who will also be happy to assist you.

When renting a bungalow/holiday apartment in Mauritius from abroad, be sure to ask the owner for the possibility of him arranging you such a tour.

It is said that the beach at Ile Aux Cerfs is one of the best in Mauritius and the entire experience is one every visitor to Mauritius has to know.

The Mauritian society is said to be the best example of a “melting pot” with its population originating from so many countries and continents. Though they live in harmony, the Mauritians remain faithful to their communities.

Each community will tend to keep everything inside it. Franco-Mauritians, for example, have their own private clubs. The same goes for the Creol and Hindus. A marriage outside of your community is often seen as an offense to the family.

The Mauritian society is a communal one, it is even anchored in its constitution. During the elections on the paradise island of Mauritius, candidates are obliged to inform the population of their community ; Hindu (48%), Muslim (17%) , Sino-Mauritian (3%), Franco Mauritian (2%) and general population/Creol. 6 seats in the Mauritian parliament are kept for “best losers”. These will be granted to candidates who did not win their elections but are brought into the parliament in order for every community to be represented by a number of MPs equal to their percentage of the population. These seats are usually manned by Creol MPs.

Certain communities are even devised within themselves. These differences are difficult to notice and borders hard to found by outsiders. The Hindus for example are devided into 8 casts such as Vaish, Maraz… tradition has it that if the PM is from Hindu origin, he should be a Vaish. Creols are also separated into several sub categories, usually depending on their “whiteness”.

All these communities (and sub-communities) and their differences/arguments are kept within the population. A foreigner visiting the island will usually be spared of all this information.

Moreover, Mauritians living abroad are always united and tend to forget the differences that separate them from each other back home on their paradise island.

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One of the strongest virtues of Mauritius is its year round sunshine. In Europe, the cold arctic winds have begun swirling and the leaves have started falling from the trees. Summer is over and for many of us a long dark winter is on the way! But there is a way round this. Mauritius is the perfect place to go for a winter getaway, staying in a relaxing resort, sipping cocktails on the beach and generally unwinding to get away from the harsh winter.

The Caribbean another great place with a great climate in winter, I visited St Lucia last year – a beautiful island in the Eastern Caribbean. There is a wide range of places to stay each with its own qualities. I would recommend Ti Kaye Village – a charming collection of 33 beautiful cottages dotted along the hillside. There is a laid back atmosphere around the resort and is the perfect place to come and relax – all cottages are equipped with 2-man hammocks!

If you are going on holiday this winter to Mauritius or the Caribbean, it is worth taking the time to find the best holiday money exchange rates online as you can save a good amount of money by choosing the best rates. Most companies and banks in the Caribbean and Mauritius offer no commission transfers but look at the rate itself – some companies offer much better rates of exchange than others. Saving money before you go means you can have more money to spend on the things you enjoy when you get there!

Mauritius has been described as paradise on earth by many great men. Beautiful weather, lovely sandy beaches, great hospitality and rich culture and heritage marks the beauty of this land and makes it one of the most desired holiday destinations of the world.

The land of Mauritius is blessed with rich history and great music. Rhythms of the eastern, African and the western civilization has been retained by the people and passed on through generations. You can find all types of music in Mauritius, from rap, hip-hop, jazz to western music. There are blended music of all civilization and also folk music which typically belong to Mauritius.

The most popular folk music of Mauritius is the “Sega” which is of the African origin, originated from the ritual music of Madagascar. It expresses the carefree and joyous life of the Mauritius people. The Sega music was originally sung by the men and women sold as slaves. This music describes the pain, miseries and dark side of their life, while at the same time desiring for love, freedom, joy and happiness. Sega is a part of the heritage of the villagers, peasants and fishing folks retained with great effort. It comes deep from their heart and reaches the soul of the hearers. Goat skin is traditional used to make instruments for producing the music. It is called the Ravane. Metallic clicks using metal triangles are also used for producing music. Men usually play the instruments while women dance to the beats. They wait for the girls to shuffle towards him, wiggling and waving colorful handkerchiefs. Together it creates a wonderful atmosphere which remains in the memory for long.

Sega shows are regularly hosted in the coastal hotels for tourist. The local fishing folks under the influence of rum gather around a camp fire and express their emotions freely in the form of Sega music and dance. Many a time they dance only to the tune and beats of the Ravane, the tinkling of spoons, the rattling of seeds in a tin and no other music. The music is so enchanting that the spectators cannot stop themselves from joining in.

Today Sega and become an integrated part of the Mauritius music and is popular far and wide. The beats of the ravane, a circular drum, and other rhythmic instruments provide entertainment to all Mauritians and has become a part of their life. The Sega has been adopted by all Mauritians and is played on all occasions. All bars, discos and night clubs play the Sega music to entertain its guest. You will fall in love with the beats of this music and cannot stop yourself from shaking your legs. Sega has found its way to the nightclubs and the mainstream of Mauritian local music. Special Sega nights are organized by clubs and hotels keeping in view the popularity of the music.

So next time you visit Mauritius, make sure you stay by the sea to enjoy the breathtaking view of sea and dance to the music of Sega.