Island Hopping in Reunion and Mauritius

To the east of Reunion, in the cirque de Salazie, Hell-Bourg has carved out a little slice of paradise. At 2953ft above sea level, the temperature is pleasant, the vegetation lush. And Creole charm can be seen everywhere. Along the alleyways, you'll come across pretty squares with azaleas and laceleaf climbing up the roof, and wooden kiosks called 'guetalis'.

To see and do - Beyond the hike (many trails start at the village), you shouldn't miss the ruins of the old baths, the Folio house with its beautiful garden as well as the Trou de Fer and Bridal Veil Falls. Stop at 'Case Tonton', where Uncle Lafable, an elder of the village, recounts the beliefs and traditions of the 'white working settlers of Les Hauts'. A detour to the small cemetery shows how nature and flowers occupy a special place in the culture of Reunion.

Route to Saint-Pierre, via Les Plaines, two and a half hours from Hell-Bourg. Leave the village and go down to the east coast. You'll stay in an old Creole house renovated as a charming guesthouse, just opposite the small beach of Terre Sainte - the authentic fishing district of Saint-Pierre - and its lagoon. Everything is in the immediate vicinity: the coastal road, the market, the bars and the many restaurants on the waterfront. While the beach just across the street is not really suitable for swimming, it does allow you to experience the seaside atmosphere.

Included in the itinerary - A hike on the slopes of Piton de la Fournaise, with a private guide . A perfect opportunity to go off the beaten track to discover some splendid craters and surprising flora in this desert-like environment for a complete view of this impressive rocky world. You can park your car at the Pas de Bellecombe before descending into the enclosed area, this stretch of lava encircling the main cone of the volcano.

Climb about nine miles towards les Hauts to reach Entre-Deux, overlooking the Saint-Etienne river between the Bras de la Plaine and Bras de Cilaos. Surrounded by mountains, Entre-deux was a place for slaves who had escaped and found the freedom they sought in the nearby forest. The gardens of the Creole houses are overflowing with mango and other tropical species. Handicrafts and local cuisine are two other reasons to wander the streets.
Overnight accommodation in a bed and breakfast in the heart of a tropical garden, where you can find a small swimming pool, a spa and in particular a beautiful modern house inspired by the colonial style. You will love the a la carte menu, as well as the attentive service of your hosts.
Included in the itinerary - A visit to the village Entre-Deux (literally; between the two) - an apt name. The village lies between two tributaries of the Saint-Etienne River: the Bras de Cilaos to the west and the Bras de la Plaine to the east. Its rivers made access to the village difficult for a long time, thus preserving it. Entre-Deux is one of the only villages in Reunion where all the houses have their own unique architecture. They are generally made of wood, have a sheet metal roof and a veranda. Whether inhabited or not, renovated or as it was originally, each square represents a fundamental aspect of the cultural heritage of Reunion.

Reach the leeward coast after about 37 miles on the Route des Tamarins road. Located between the Port and Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Saint-Paul is the historic birthplace of the Reunion settlement. Its town market, on Fridays and Saturdays, is the island's best-known market.
Two-night stay on the heights of Saint-Paul, in a small bed and breakfast with only two rooms. Tastefully decorated, it offers beautiful views of the Indian Ocean from the adjoining terrace to its pleasant swimming pool.

Included in the itinerary - A Creole cooking course organised by your hotel. In keeping with its melting pot of cultures, Reunion offers a wide and varied culinary palette that the chef will be happy to introduce to you and for you then to taste.

Transfer to Roland-Garros airport where you climb aboard a plane. Forty minutes later you're on Mauritian soil.
A car with driver awaits you to take you to the north of the island (just an hour's drive), arriving at Anse la Raie and staying at a hotel for the next five nights. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, reserved for adults in order to retain its tranquil quiet, this small capacity location (67 rooms and suites) is an intimate oasis... On to the beach, cabanas are spread out, shaded by thatched roofing and hidden from sight. A coastal trail through bougainvillea and velvet leafed soldier bushes leads to the Peninsula, a relaxing island overlooking the bay, where you can unwind with a lemonade and a dip in the infinity pool, ideal for relaxing in front of the northern islands. The hotel specialises in hosting couples, and has come up with many activities for two: candlelit dinner at The Cove, an intimate restaurant nestled in the coconut grove between the swimming pool and the cove, a catamaran outing at sunset, massage for two at the Cinq Mondes spa, tropical flower baths, paddle boarding, introductory diving course, and more.

Included in the itinerary - A catamaran outing , including a stops for a barbecue and snorkelling. This nautical outing during the day allows you to discover Mauritius from the sea, as well as the treasures of its lagoon.

Optional - A foodie walk in Port-Louis cuisine with a private local guide . This walking tour of the cosmopolitan heritage of the involves many stops to try the delicious street cuisine of Port-Louis. Eating on the street (discussing politics) is one of Mauritians' favourite leisure activities. Like them, it is an opportunity to try the flavours of typical Mauritian dishes; steamed meatballs, rotis - Indian pancakes with spicy vegetables, grilled pistachios, and for the brave, chilli cakes... From one neighbourhood to another, every dish you try tells a beautiful story, that of the ancestors who brought the recipes of their village with them in their modest luggage and their descendants who made their own little changes.