There are not that many tiny islands that punch so far above their weight in the tourism and travel sphere as Mauritius does. Ticked away on the western end of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is the perfect blend of cultural and natural attractions with a sprinkling of impressive historical sites. If your plane arrives during the day, one of the things you will notice as you approach the island by air is the lush green that dominates Mauritius. The green is sugarcane, the country’s top agricultural product cultivated on 90% of its arable land.

From 1967 when Mauritius became an independent democracy, there has been an explosion of 5 star luxury resorts featuring scenic golf courses and world class spas, as well as Mauritius own legendary beaches and its unique Creole-Asiatic-French cuisine. The world renowned Sega dancing performances during dinner crowns what is undoubtedly an enchanting experience.

With such an advanced and diverse tourist offering, it can be difficult to choose just which luxury resort will blow you away. Do you go to the Four Seasons Resort at Anahita whose golf course – the country’s longest – was designed by none other than the great Ernie Els? The resort sits on the island’s eastern coast and features spectacular sculptures formed from a traditional barrachoisor corral providing a fitting backdrop for the open air grass thatched pavilion.

If you fancy ancient architectural design, the Le Telfair Golf Resort and Six Senses Spa might leave you near speechless. Walking into the compound, you would be forgiven for thinking you are venturing into the courtyard and dwelling of an emperor from times past. But the near-cathedral design is just one of the traits that make this luxurious resort so unique. As you move from its main Italian restaurant down to its Japanese cuisine area closer to the beach, there is a strong feel of opulence.