There is no better place to spend your Easter holiday than on the island of Mauritius, a mere skip and a hop away from South Africa. Holidays are exactly what they are named after, they are holy, a precious time for you, your family, friends and companions to celebrate time together in an environment conducive to relaxing and having fun, unwinding, experiencing something new, or simply kicking back and enjoying birdsong and the lapping of waves.

Every type of luxury accommodation is available across the island, offering a selection that will leave you sated, satisfied and ready to book your next trip!

Easter falls within the transitory seasonal phase in Mauritius, characterised by slightly decreasing temperatures, humidity and rainfall. Days are normally hot, followed by balmy evenings with the average daily maximum 26?C and the average daily minimum is 20?C, so travellers are advised to pack light and cool clothing. This is normally the most popular time of the year, making it the perfect island destination for energetic families, adventurous spirits and romantic couples.

Long Beach, a luxurious 5-star lifestyle resort hotel is situated on the east coast of Mauritius. With accommodation set in gardens that only the Tropics can offer, this blend of modern and boho-chic is imbued with a vibe that sets the scene perfectly for an active island experience. Take the opportunity to walk along the stunning 1.3 km beach that winds its way along the aqua waters of this island paradise, which is also the perfect setting for leisurely, romantic strolls and watching the skies turn golden at sunset. 

A fairly large Christian community resides on the island, following the second largest religion in this tropical oasis, after Hinduism, with Easter one of the main Christian events observed in the island country. Holidaying in Mauritius over this time offers an excellent chance to observe the Easter festivities which are held in style! Everything from parades and church services to chocolate egg hunting.

Mauritius is all about fusion, combinations and blends, from the multi-cultural demographic with Indian, Asian, African and European roots, to the freedom to practice any faith of choice, including Hinduism and Islam to Buddhism and Christianity (and more). As a multi-cultural island, Mauritius also merges cuisines from all around the world, adapted to the islander’s individual palates. Because of the cultural blend, there’s always something gastronomical to try and discover, because Mauritian fare is a fusion of Creole, Chinese, European and Indian.

This tropical treasure is the perfect place to spend your Easter, with verdant gardens and glistening white beaches offering unusual places for a memorable Easter egg hunt — just ensure you find them before they melt!

Anelia Resort & Spa, a 4-star resort boasts a blend of classic Creole design and modern amenities and is located along beautiful Dolphin Bay. The hotel brings nature to your doorstep while you sip on a variety of cocktails and contemplate the rich history of the island. Feel the weight of city life slough off your shoulders as you swim with the dolphins or take a leisurely stroll along the esplanade.

The best news is that this island Paradise is reopening up to tourism over a three-phase period now that the CV-19 virus appears to be abating. According to Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, the first phase will be the repatriation of Mauritians, which will continue until September 30. Mauritians returning home will be placed in quarantine for the prescribed period.

The second phase will kick off from October 1 with flights to certain destinations available and people will be able to make online bookings for their plane tickets and hotel reservations. While phase three will entail the reopening of the borders, according to the Prime Minister, and dependent on the Covid-19 situation in Mauritius and in the world, this is still the perfect time to start organising that holiday. Besides, it’s really never too early to plan for a well-deserved break.

Mauritius offers everything that a family, a couple or even a lone traveller could hope for, from balmy beaches to island bars, exotic restaurants and nature walks. With luxurious lifestyle accommodation on offer,  you have a basket of choices when it comes to what type of holiday you are looking for, whether it be adventure, relaxing, sport, cultural or simply as an escape from the city and suburbia.

In fact, the choices overall are so vast and varied that you need to focus on what you actually want from the holiday!

While tourists traditionally flock to the island at this time of the year to laze on the white beaches and drink Pina Coladas under the coconut palms, and the hotels are usually at capacity, Mauritius makes special offers during this period of the year for those wanting to get away from the humdrum and come to get a tropical suntan.

Veranda Palmar Beach, offers 3-star accommodation that makes you feel like a king!  The stylish, modern accommodation is nestled in idyllic surroundings, and offers live music, world-class dining gym facilities, a treatment spa and an array of land and water sports for you to enjoy.

To help you prepare for and make the best of the vacation, while taking advantage of the reopening of the island, we have compiled a quick list of ideas and considerations for your Easter Experience no matter what type of vacation you are planning.

By contemplating what you would like to experience gives you a better overview and helps decide from the medley of opportunities and choices. Nothing worse (or better) than having so many opportunities that you are overwhelmed for choice!

So think about these points:

• Where do you want to rest your holiday-weary head?
  • Luxury hotel
  • 3 to 5-star hotel
  • Luxury villas
• What local shows/events are on during your time on the island?
  • Nightclubs
  • Jazz bars
  • Live music
  • Family entertainment
  • Sporting events
• How active do you want to be?
  • Walking
  • Cycling
  • Driving
  • Running
  • Swimming
  • Snorkelling
  • Water-skiing
  • Canoeing
  • Paddling
  • Diving
  • Golfing
  • Fishing
  • Skydiving
• How much and what kind of sightseeing do you want to experience?
  • Organised tours
  • DIY sightseeing
  • Visiting local markets
  • Cultural insights
  • Religious sights
  • Historical
  • Game viewing, dolphins, whales
  • National parks
• Do you have a specific cuisine in mind?
  • Mauritian street food
  • Traditional restaurants
  • Western fare
  • Asian fusion

… And just as you’ve decided what you want, you then have a selection of islands to choose from! There are plenty more choices on all accounts, rest assured, but this will give you a fair idea of what to expect from the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, making it an unforgettable experience for every type of traveller.