God modelled Heaven on Mauritius, as Mark Twain once remarked, and it’s clear to see his point. A fairly small island bathing in the warmth of the Capricorn Sea, Mauritius boasts golden, powder-soft beaches embraced by coral reefs and fringed with exotic coconut palms bordering translucent sea lagoons. Venture inland and you will discover dramatic mountain ranges, tropical forests, tumbling waterfalls, gently swaying fields of sugar cane, chic hotels, sophisticated cuisine, superb water sports and charming cosmopolitan people with infectious smiles.