SUGAR, RUSH

CHILL THRILLS Veranda Paul et Virginie

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around 50 lining the bay and the coast road to Pereybere.

At weekends, the nightclubs here are jumping, plus throughout the week there's the chance to watch jam sessions, live bands and Sega performances - a style of music brought to Mauritius from Africa.

After a leisurely walk and a drink in a seafront bar we headed down to the beach. Just like you see in the brochures, the sand was golden and the sea was a clear crystal blue.

If you fancy sampling a true taste of Mauritius, the luscious Veranda Paul et Virginie hotel offers rum-making sessions and Creole cooking classes.

We are shown how to flavour rum with spices such as star anise and we got the chance to taste all of our new creations - and I have to say they were potent.

At the cooking class, you can rustle up anything from coconut chatini to chicken kari - the chef after they have been cooked and placed in a fridge.

One of the most fascinating places to visit on the island is L'Aventure du Sucre, a sugar factory that closed in 1999 (aventuredusucre.com). Here, tourists can learn about the history of sugar production, how it was an integral part of the economy, and the diverse communities who made Mauritius their home over the centuries.