Everyone deserves a break now and then, given the constant pressures of family, jobs and the hectic pace in which we live in today. What better way to reward oneself and one's family than by taking a vacation to a tropical destination, possibly taking a break from the drab and depressing winter weather, and enjoying a largely unspoiled paradise that welcomes tourists with open arms.

The island of Mauritius is one such place. Lying surrounded by azure waters about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of Africa, less than 1,000 miles from Madagascar. It is known for being a beautiful destination, filled with luxury appointments and breathtaking natural landscapes. It forms part of a chain of islands known as the Mascarene Islands, along with the islands of Réunion and Rodrigues. Apart from its well-known hospitality and wonderful appeal, it also has an interesting history. When compared to other areas of the world, it was formed relatively recently; approximately 8,000,000 years ago, as a result of underwater volcanoes that erupted and pushed these masses of land above the oceans. Unlike other areas, there has been no volcanic activity in the region for more than 100,000 years, so it is a perfectly safe area to visit. There is evidence that it was first visited by Arabic sailors during the Middle Ages, but the first Western powers to visit included the Dutch and French, who established small outposts on the island. At the beginning of the 19th century, the British took over, and to this day English remains the official language, which makes it easy for tourists to interact with the natives. Mauritius became independent in 1968, but wisely retained the British system of law as a parliamentary republic. As a result, it is considered in many surveys to be the best governed country in Africa, with one index rating it as the only full democracy in the continent.

These statistics make Mauritius one of the safest and most enjoyable tropical islands to visit. But apart from its politics and form of governance, it is the island's stupendous beauty which draws visitors from all over the world over and over again. Home to the world's third largest coral reef, which surrounds most of the island, Mauritius offers miles upon miles of white sandy beaches, and a temperate climate all year long, caressed by soft tropical breezes. A Mauritius holiday promises to have something for everyone: there are of course plenty of water activities, including snorkelling or scuba diving at the coral reefs, sailing and sightseeing by boat. There are plenty of excellent restaurants, including 3 to 5 star hotels that cater to every taste, including boutique hotels. There is also plenty of shopping, as well as many ideal locations for taking romantic strolls during the daytime, or even the evening. A Mauritius holiday is guaranteed to leave every visitor refreshed and renewed, ensuring that they will want to return repeatedly.