When you fly into Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (named after the country's first prime minister), you are landing on an island which embodies the term "melting pot" - and literally so in its internationally-inspired cuisine. Mauritius has been moulded by waves of European, African and Asian immigrants, each bringing a distinctive way of life which today is manifest in myriad religious festivals, languages and cultural activities.

The volcanic island, 1,160 sq miles of stunning pale-sanded coast and a verdant, rolling interior plateau, is surrounded almost completely by coral reefs - where spectacular ocean life can be witnessed from glass-bottomed boats and for the more adventurous, lead booted, bubble-headed "undersea walks". Mauritius is situated east of Madagascar and together with neighbouring Réunion and Rodrigues islands, makes up the Mascarene archipelago.

First colonised by the Dutch in 1638 - who named it in honour of Prince Mauritz Van Nassau, the island was later ruled by the French, then the British both of whom left their mark - fine colonial architecture peppers the land. Likewise, the official language of the nearly 1,200,000 inhabitants is English with French widely used too. But it's in the mix where Mauritius excels. Expect to hear a number of Indian and Chinese dialects too, spoken by the large Asian population as well as Creole - a mélange of pidgin French and various African tongues which almost everybody uses.

Creole is also the backdrop to a unique national music and dance - the Sega; a custom that is culturally central for Mauritians. Pronounced "Saygah", the foot-shuffling, hip-gyrating movements - based on African dance, can be often seen on the beach - performed with Creole lyrics and an African, Caribbean or sometimes Latin American beat. Visitors are encouraged to take part and it's easy to find yourself transported by the exquisite, captivating show. Other colourful celebrations include: the Hindu Divali festival - over half of the population follow the faith; Chinese New Year; the Islamic feast of Id-El-Fitr or the annual Lourdes-like pilgrimage to Father Laval's Port Louis shrine. All are celebrated in an atmosphere of harmony and respect.

After the exertions of the Sega, you would have definitely earned the right to feast on Mauritius' delicious, multi-cultural cuisine. Expect a typical buffet to offer Indian biryani curry, Chinese pork, Creole roast beef and a Mediterranean stew - all served with boiled rice and washed down with a refreshing yoghurt-based Lassi or sweet, milky Alouda.

Like the culture and cuisine, the island offers visitors a wide array of scenery and excursions. Mauritius may be best known for its beautiful beaches, such as the lagooned Flic en Flac on the west coast (location of the Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa), where guests can enjoy a wide variety of water-sports or just soak up the Indian Ocean's beneficent sun. But venture away from the crystal-clear seas and Mauritius offers a gamut of fascinating towns and stunning landscapes. A good place to start any trip is the capital and main port, Port Louis. Highlights include the lively downtown market; the elegant Le Caudan waterfront; the citadel of Fort Adelaide and the Natural History Museum, housing former island resident and world's most famous extinct bird - the dodo. Port Louis is also home to the Champ de Mars, the world's second oldest active race course.

If you're looking for nature at its most magnificent, a trip to the Black River Gorges National Park is a must. The park, nestling in highlands near the pretty market town of Curepipe, is a dazzling combination of coniferous forests, waterfalls, lakes - including the sacred Hindu Grand Bassin, and an abundance of wildlife. A number of well-trailed walks are available including one to the island's highest point, Black River Peak. North-east of Port Louis is Pamplemousses village, site of the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens. Famed for its giant waterlilies, the well-kept Gardens offer a rather more tamed but equally captivating stroll through nature. And for a slightly different park experience, head south near Riviere des Anguilles for the Vanilla Crocodile Park or to Le Waterpark on Belle Mare's coastal road. Wherever you venture, the experience will be one to remember.

Let Mauritius and its people serve up for you the perfect Indian Ocean island dish.

• A Tasty Mauritian Dish