Mauritius

Mauritius is one of those islands that wins families over within hours. The beaches really are as beautiful as the postcards promise – soft white sand, calm turquoise lagoons and palm trees that seem perfectly placed for shade. But what surprises most people is how easy and welcoming it feels, especially with children. Resorts are well set up for families, with spacious rooms, kids’ pools and staff who genuinely fuss over little ones. Away from the hotels, you’ll find colourful markets, sugarcane fields, rum distilleries and viewpoints where you can look out over the coastline and feel like you’ve discovered your own little slice of paradise.

Holiday experiences here can be as chilled or as active as you like. You can spend lazy days snorkelling straight from the beach, trying out paddleboarding, or taking glass-bottom boat trips so the kids can spot reef fish without even getting wet. Inland, there are waterfalls to visit, nature parks with giant tortoises, zip-lines through lush valleys and tea plantations to wander. Families often mix a few relaxed days by the pool with dolphin-spotting cruises, catamaran trips to tiny offshore islands and a day exploring the capital, Port Louis, with its street food and buzzing waterfront. It’s the kind of place where everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, finds something to love – and where the pace of life gently nudges you all into proper holiday mode.