Mauritius was uninhabited until the 16th century, allowing it to develop into one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. A culturally diverse country means croissants for breakfast and curry for dinner, and garish Indian temples near French colonial mansions. With world-class hotels offering the best service in the Indian Ocean and a renowned gastronomy as well as top spas and golf, Mauritius also offers more to do than many tropical islands, with trekking, mountain climbing and eco-tourism playgrounds. And with its signature sunny days, the world's third largest coral reef surrounding a turquoise lagoon and silky blonde sandy beaches, this island certainly comes close to paradise.