Little more than a glorified volcano popping out of the beautiful clear waters of the Indian Ocean some 500 miles east of Madagascar, Réunion is dictionary definition verdant, with almost every inland inch of this French overseas territory sprouting something green. That is, except where giant lava flows have left great black reminders that this volcanic outcrop is very much alive and spouting. There are five calderas in total, including the two very live, lava spewing volcanoes - the Piton de la Fournaise and the Piton des Neiges - and as you'd imagine this is serious walking country, especially as the French have a passion for promenading, and there are several Grand Randonee routes across and around the island. Throw in fascinating creole culture and plenty of watersports, and we urge you to make a union with this Indian Ocean gem on a Reunion island holiday.

Reunion holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

Why visit Reunion with Original Travel ?

Travelling with us means enjoying a trip that has been meticulously crafted by our team of experts, each knowing their specialised country like the back of their hand. Tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind, we can customise itineraries based on your taste, be that an architecture aficionado, a food fanatic or an environment enthusiast. Working hand-in-hand with local Concierges and guides, we’ll uncover spots perfect for you. From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, our curated experiences are supported by an array of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline and an app full of recommendations.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Reunion

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

Reunion Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

What our clients say about us

5 / 5
" This is the first time we went on a trip with Original Travel, a specialist advisor who listens to our expectations, and really the feeling of being pampered from departure to arrival. The concierge service is so efficient that we quickly become addicted. "

Our Reunion
specialists

Who better to entrust with your travel plans than our team of consultants, boasting eleven Conde Nast Top Travel Specialists among them? With regular research trips, they stay up to date on the best experiences and newest properties. And guess what – our expertise doesn’t end there. While you’re away, we’ll hook you up with the best guides around, teeming with contagious passion for their beloved country. For the finer details, our Concierges are clued up on your likes and dislikes and are just a WhatsApp away for personalised tips and tricks on where to go and what to see. In short, we’ve covered every possible travel-related base.

What can you find on Reunion Island that you won't find anywhere else?


There's a little appreciated travel fact that we at Original Travel are trying hard to overcome - Brits tend to travel in former British colonies, while French and Spanish tend towards their former dominions. Not surprising, really, given common languages and the fact that there are far more direct flights between post-colonial chums. What it does mean, however, is that some seriously spectacular destinations often slip under the radar for the British traveller. A classic example of this is the delicious island of Réunion, a former French colony.

As mentioned earlier, if you're keen to do some walking while on holiday in Réunion, a particular favourite route of ours takes in Cilaos, a beautiful village that is only accessible on foot. The town is taken from the Malagasay phrase for 'the place one never wants to leave', a sentiment first employed by runaway slaves who thought they were safe from recapture in such a remote spot. Unfortunately for them that proved not to be the case, as they were recaptured soon afterwards. The village later became a spa retreat, and is one of several isolated and extremely atmospheric communities hidden away in the interior that are well worth exploration. And there are plenty of ways to explore the surroundings, be that by helicopter, paraglider, canyoning or on horseback.

Coastal activities on offer include snorkelling, diving (which is far better here than off Mauritius) and surfing, or just lounging about on one of the beaches (some black sand) that encircle the island. The food on the island, as you'd expect from a French prefecture, is uniformly excellent from the hotel croissants to some excellent restaurants serving creole cuisine.

All in all Réunion is a perfect little holiday destination in its own right, or even better as a perfectly dovetailing combination with neighbouring Mauritius, just half an hour away by plane and a more indolent destination.

Best places to go in Reunion



100% tailor-made holidays

Understanding Your Needs

Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday

Personalisation

We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities

Our Services

All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges