Bradt Travel Guide: Mauritius Rodrigues – Réunion

About this book

Bradt's Mauritius is the most comprehensive guide available to the Mascarene islands of Mauritius, its dependency Rodrigues and the French island of Reunion. Covering the full range of accommodation and restaurants, from budget to sheer luxury, it also offers in-depth cultural insights, including detailed information on food (and local recipes), language, customs and music, as well as useful phrases in Mauritian and Reunionnais Creole. Extensive information on flora, fauna and the latest progress of the islands' conservation projects is included, plus detailed information on outdoor pursuits (including hiking in Reunion) and adventure sports, as well as expert analysis of individual dive sites around the Mascarenes. This new edition has been thoroughly updated to present the most recent information on getting married in Mauritius, as well as details of medical tourism, in particular cosmetic surgery and dental services.

Contents

Introduction
PART ONE MAURITIUS: GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography, Climate, Natural history, Nature reserves and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, Tourism, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture

Chapter 2 Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies, High Commissions and consulates, Getting there and away, Health, Medical tourism, Safety, Women travellers, Travellers with a disability, Travelling with kids, Gay/lesbian travellers, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Business, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively

Chapter 3 Activities
Spa treatments, Golf, Horse racing, Horseriding, Football, Deep-sea fishing, Scuba diving and snorkelling, Other undersea experiences, Sailing, Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Waterskiing, Hiking and adventure sports

PART TWO MAURITIUS AND ITS DEPENDENCIES
Chapter 4 Port Louis
History, Around town - an overview, Getting there and away, Tourist information, Where to stay , Where to eat , Nightlife and entertainment , Shopping , Other practicalities , What to see and do

Chapter 5 Northern Mauritius
Baie du Tombeau to Pointe aux Piments, Trou aux Biches to Pointe aux Canonniers, Grand Baie, Pereybère, Cap Malheureux to Grand Gaube, Northern offshore islands, What to do in Northern Mauritius, What to see in Northern Mauritius

Chapter 6 Eastern Mauritius
Roches Noires to Belle Mare, Trou d'Eau Douce, South of Trou d'Eau Douce to Bois des Amourettes, What to do in Eastern Mauritius, What to see in Eastern Mauritius

Chapter 7 Southern Mauritius
Vieux Grand Port and Mahébourg, South of Blue Bay to Souillac, Riambel to Baie du Cap, What to do in Southern Mauritius, What to see in Southern Mauritius

Chapter 8 Western Mauritius
Morne Brabant to Tamarin, Chamarel and surrounds, Wolmar and Flic en Flac to Port Louis, What to do in Western Mauritius, What to see in Western Mauritius

Chapter 9 Central Mauritius
Plaines Wilhems, Moka, What to do in Central Mauritius, What to see in Central Mauritius

Chapter 10 Island Dependencies
Agaléga, St Brandon, Tromelin, The Chagos Archipelago, Diego Garcia

PART THREE RODRIGUES
Chapter 11 Background Information
Overview, Geography, Natural history and conservation, History and politics, Economy, People, Language and education, Religion, Culture

Chapter 12 Practical Information
Highlights, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health and safety, What to take, Money and banking, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Photography, Communications

Chapter 13 Exploring Rodrigues
Port Mathurin, Around Rodrigues, What to do in Rodrigues, What to see in Rodrigues

PART FOUR REUNION
Chapter 14 Background Information
Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture

Chapter 15 Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Useful contacts, Getting there and away, On arrival/departure, Health, Safety, Women travellers, Travellers with a disability, Gay/lesbian travellers, Travelling with kids, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Working hours, Public holidays, Festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Business, Buying property, Cultural etiquette

Chapter 16 Activities
Multi-activity companies, Hiking, Canyoning, Mountain biking, Horseriding, Golf, 4x4 excursions, Microlighting, Paragliding, Bungee jumping, Helicopter rides, Watersports, Deep-sea fishing, Glass-bottom boats, Boat cruises and dolphin watching

Chapter 17 Northern Réunion
St-Denis, Around St-Denis, What to do in Northern Réunion, What to see in Northern Réunion

Chapter 18 Eastern Réunion
Ste-Suzanne to Bras-Panon, St-Benoît to Ste-Anne, Ste-Rose and surrounds, South to La Pointe de la Table, Piton-de-la-Fournaise, What to do in Eastern Réunion, What to see in Eastern Réunion

Chapter 19 Southern Réunion
St-Philippe and surrounds, St-Joseph and surrounds, St-Pierre and surrounds, St-Louis to L'Etang-Salé, What to do in Southern Réunion, What to see in Southern Réunion

Chapter 20 Western Réunion
St-Leu, St-Gilles-les-Bains and surrounds, St-Paul to La Possession, What to do in Western Réunion, What to see in Western Réunion

Chapter 21 The Interior
La Plaine-des-Palmistes, La Plaine-des-Cafres, The cirques

Appendix 1 Language
Appendix 2 Further Information
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Alexandra Richards grew up in the beautiful English county of Dorset, where she developed a love of rural life, the natural world and outdoor pursuits. She graduated from Durham University in 2000, where she read modern European languages. During her studies she spent a year teaching English in Reunion and took the opportunity to travel in the Mascarenes. Since that time she has been returning to the Mascarenes as often as possible and has written the past five editions of this guidebook. Alex is a freelance travel writer with a passion for photography, natural history and adventure. In 2004, she undertook a writing/photography assignment travelling to Australia on a cargo ship via the Suez Canal, and has divided her time between Dorset and Australia ever since.