Water lillies at the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens

Poolside luxury at Heritage Awali

Horseracing is extremely popular in Mauritius

Since its colonisation by the Dutch in 1638, any group of people who have come to Mauritius have shaped its culture in a way that can still be felt today.

The Island boasts a heady mix of Dutch, French, English, African and Indian cultures, which all blend seamlessly.

This is because Mauritius was uninhabited when it was first discovered.

That is, of course, unless you count the dodo.

The dodo, a large flightless bird that was endemic to the Island, didn't fare too well after visitors first arrived in Mauritius - its extinction came during the mid-to-late 17th century - but due to the openness of Mauritian society, even its presence is still felt today.

Speak to a local and you'll understand. It doesn't matter where their background can be traced back to - they'll be Mauritian and proud.

And pride is an important thing in Mauritius. The first independent prime minister was only elected in 1968, and like in many newly independent nations, locals are proud of their country's idyllic reputation and work hard to make visitors feel welcome.

And why wouldn't they be proud?
Physically, the Island is a mini-paradise surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Undisturbed stretches of white sandy beaches are protected by coral reefs and turquoise lagoons. Further in-land, fierce rocky mountains stand proud and overlook the ocean, warmed by the year-round sun that the Island enjoys.

But it isn't just the physical aspects that locals are proud of; it's the diversity of their culture.

The languages spoken in Mauritius represent this. French, English and Creole are all spoken throughout the Island, with smatterings of other languages too.

Many different religions are also practised, with different places of worship scattered throughout the Island, such as colonial Catholic churches, Mosques, and brightly coloured Hindu temples.

From fresh seafood dishes using locally caught fish, to intense curries or heartily cooked wild boar and venison, the food in Mauritius also demonstrates the massive mix of cultures present on the Island.

Popular for weddings and honeymoons, the luxury on offer on is world-class. Romance is assured with beauty spas and health treatments and some of the most intimate resort accommodation available.

But families are an important market for Mauritius too. For this reason, the activities on the Island are not restricted to those normally associated with newlyweds.

While visitors can still choose to do nothing more than be pampered and spend days lying in the sun, more adventurous activities are available too. Snorkelling, scuba-diving and deep sea fishing is popular among the water-lovers, while in-land there is the chance to ride quad-bikes, hike mountains, and even walk with lions.

And no visit can be complete without visiting the Champ de Mars horse races, the oldest races in the Southern Hemisphere. Mauritians are crazy for the races, which are held every Saturday from March to December and can attract up to 35,000 people.

Resorts also recognise the importance of keeping children happy to ensure the relaxation of parents, and many youth-oriented activities are organised, such as staff vs. guests football matches.

For business events, many resorts offer business centres and can cater to large groups.