Mauritius

Mauritius does the postcard part effortlessly: lagoon water in six shades of blue, sand that squeaks underfoot, resorts that have been perfecting service for generations. But stay a while and the island opens up. This is a Creole culture built from India, Africa, France and China, and you taste it everywhere, from street food in Port Louis to rum aged in old sugar estates. Inland, the land rises into green mountains and tea plantations where you can hike all morning and swim under waterfalls before lunch. Back on the coast, the lagoon is your playground: kite surfing, sailing, swimming with dolphins at first light. It suits honeymooners, obviously. It also suits families and anyone who wants luxury with flavour. Mauritius is easy to reach and very hard to leave.