Jane contacted me in the autumn via the Holidaysplease website to discuss her belated honeymoon. They were keen to explore Indian Ocean options and I was thrilled to help organise their special trip...
We had married in July 2021 but decided to delay our honeymoon until restrictions eased a little and we could book and travel with confidence.
Our initial thoughts were the Maldives, however after our chat with Ruth, she was confident that Mauritius would suit us better and proposed a look at the Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel & Spa as a perfect fit for us. She was right!
Once we had agreed and confirmed the hotel and flights, Ruth provided us with all the information that we would need to travel, including which tests and forms were required. Her attention to detail was great and she was always on hand for a call or email.
Negative results were confirmed, the necessary paperwork printed and in November, we were finally going on our honeymoon.
It seemed that everyone at the airport was being compliant with mask wearing. People were a little lax on the flight itself, however there were regular reminders from the flight attendants. We transferred in Dubai and had a couple of hours for a quick browse and then carried on through to the gate.
We had booked a private transfer upon arrival in Mauritius so we could head straight to our resort and were met by our driver who kindly also offered to do pit stops for photo opportunities.
After being greeted on arrival with a refreshing drink and being checked in on the hotel’s tablet, we were given a top-level introduction to the room and facilities - it was a seamless process. We were left to unpack and conduct the first of two additional antigen tests that were required in Mauritius.
The hotel was beautiful. It wasn’t full when we arrived, however it did get busier during our stay - though this didn’t reflect on sun lounger availability or seats at mealtimes. We often we even managed to get the pool to ourselves. Face coverings had to be worn everywhere.
The Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel is officially a 4* boutique hotel geared towards couples. It scored top marks for us, and we were delighted with our choice. The food was incredibly tasty with a wide range for all palates, including catering for adventurous foodies. The staff were friendly and the service was excellent.
We wanted to see as much of the island as possible - there is so much to do in addition to sitting on the beach. Our favourite excursion was the catamaran, where we were able to snorkel and explore the ocean. Beautiful.
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Pamplemousses is one of the most visited attractions on the island, housing 85 varieties of palm trees from all over the world, as well as giant water lilies, medicinal plants, a spice garden and many indigenous plants.
We also managed to fit in the 7 Coloured Earth Geopark in Chamarel, seeing turtles, a rum distillery, stunning waterfalls, and a fascinating look at how wooden craft boats are made by hand.
It’s been a tough couple of years for all of us, so we were delighted to get out and explore, supporting the wonderful locals who rely heavily on tourism for their livelihoods. They were so hospitable and delighted that tourists are once again able to visit.
There were no restrictions or quarantine required on our return to the UK, and on reflection, we made the BEST decision to go. We had a total blast, from relaxing days in gorgeous, comfortable temperatures to a few busier days of activities. It was the ideal getaway, and one we would highly recommend.
Ruth, thank you! We will be back for all our holidays and will be recommending you to others. You found the ideal destination for the time of year and our price and set us up in the perfect romantic resort.
Jane & Andrew
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