Reunion Island

REUNION ISLAND is a French overseas Territory. East of Africa and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, it has become a favorite to travelers wanting to visit a thriving community, and a ‘volcanic hotspot’ of great natural beauty. Tourism is fast overtaking Sugar as the chief economic generator. It boasts the highest per capita income in Africa. A short hop from Mauritius it’s coming into its own as a holiday destination.

The infrastructure is good, with busses linking major settlements. Accommodation establishments and other tourist facilities abound. From the ‘cote d’azur’ like coastal resorts to the towering volcanic peaks, deep gouged valleys, this tropical paradise offers a mixture of nature and luxury, and ‘French Charm’ pertaining to the South of France.

Vulcanists and nature lovers can drive through primary forests to reach the worlds most accessible and active volcano of Mt. Piton de la Fournaise (as in furnace!) and may be rewarded by seeing the fiery red lava flow.

An International Airport near Capital of St. Denis serves overseas flights and a secondary airport at St. Pierre which accepts flights from Mauritius. The Capital is home to one of the worlds most fascinating Botanical gardens, French Renaissance architecture (outside France) an Art Gallery and Seafront Park. The yacht harbor of St. Paul is reminiscent of the Mediterranean ports clustered with leisure and sailing craft, below a charming town and miles of pristine beach.

Tromelin Island is well to the north of Mauritius and barely is worth a mention – except that it is basically an island sandbar, is also owned by France and although uninhabited has an airstrip for access by meteorologists from Reunion, to monitor and warn of approaching cyclones.