Choosing where to go for that dream two weeks of relaxation in the sun is never an easy decision to make. With so many of the world's coastal destinations now long-exposed to the rigours of tourism, it is getting increasingly difficult to find that idealistic, tropical paradise that countless travel brochures' pages are adorned with.

However, such destinations do still exist and it's just a case of knowing where to look. For unspoilt havens, few places can match the tropical island paradise of Mauritius, a small island nation off the coast of Africa in the southwest Indian Ocean. The picture-perfect scenery of Mauritius is the stuff of dreams and no words can really do justice to the plethora of coral reefs, lagoons, sandy beaches and forested mountains that are located throughout this tiny, tropical hideaway.

Mauritius is the perfect place for romantic getaways, with miles of white sandy beaches to stroll along and delicious cuisine on offer across the island.

It's not all about kicking back and relaxing though. Île aux Cerfs (French for 'Deer Island') is another mini tropical island off the coast of Mauritius, offering up a whole host of water sports and there are a number of amazing scuba diving sites dotted around the coast, with an array of sea-life and coral reefs providing the perfect scenery for those keen to venture beneath the ocean. Île aux Cerfs is also home to a stunning 18-hole golf course, which is set among sea inlets and against a breathtaking background of trees, mountains and lush vegetation.

The main focal point for visitors is in the northern part of the island in the Grand Bay area. Many hotels, beaches restaurants and nightspots are situated in this region. Although Mauritius is generally not a busy place, the village of Grand Bay is the closest thing the island offers in the way of nightlife and there are a few bars and clubs open late for those wanting to party into the small hours.

It's probably worth pointing out too that Mauritius is notable as being the home of the legendary dodo, a bird that has been extinct since the 17th century, following the influx of foreign visitors who hunted it for food. Mauritius is still proud of its indigenous feathered friend and today it can still be seen on the island's coat of arms.

Given that the island is one of the world's genuine tropical island paradises, Mauritius flights are plentiful and arrive at the main international airport form a number of key locations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Flights to Mauritius take around twelve hours from London.

For tropical delights, Mauritius is up there with the best of them. Its diverse scenery, vast sandy beaches and activity-rich opportunities make it the perfect place to find paradise.

The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.