Port Louis

Backed by mountains at the north western end of the island is the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis. Although it is the largest city, it contains a relatively small percentage of the country's total population. During the day, the city bustles, with snarling traffic and honking horns. By contrast, at night, the city is very quiet except for the swish Le Caudan Waterfront area where you will find a casino, cinemas, shops, bars and restaurants.

A good place to get a feel for the city is the Port Louis market, near the water in the heart of downtown. With sections devoted to fruits and vegetables, meats and fish, souvenirs, crafts, clothing and spices, be ready to do some bargaining to get the best deals.

If you have time, drop into the Natural History museum which contains a selection of stuffed animals, including the Dodo, which has been extinct since the late 17th century. For keen philatelists, there is also the Mauritius Postal Museum.

If you are interested in Islamic architecture, stop by Port Louis' oddly located Jummah Mosque, built in the 1850s in the middle of Chinatown, and Fort Adelaide, which so closely resembles a Moorish fortress that local call it the Citadel. Fort Adelaide is the only one of Port Louis' four British forts that is still accessible and not in ruins; the views from its hilltop, harbourside location are great.

The Lourdes of the Indian Ocean, Pere Laval's shrine is just north east of the town centre at Ste-Croix. Pere Laval, a Roman Catholic priest, is said to have converted more than 67,000 people during his 23 years on Mauritius and is remembered with a colourful plaster statue atop his tomb. Pilgrims swear by the statue's healing powers and come in their droves to touch it.