Reunion Travel Guide

Reunion OVERVIEW

The French know what they are doing keeping its Overseas Department island somewhat off mass tourism. No one would probably feel like having hordes of leisure and activity-hungry tourists flood a land of such outstanding beauty and charm. The first impression you get upon landing is that of being incidentally transported to France instead of an African island jutting out sharply from the Indian Ocean and an anticipation of a wild adventure. A "bonjour" here and there starts sipping into your ear followed by the quintessentially French sophistication of cuisine and architecture. Little by little, the French flair wraps you with atmospheric moments over a cup of chocolat chaud to go with your breakfast croissants or a hearty portion of the tasty local speciality, rougail.

But then you start taking a peek around and pretty soon it dawns on you why they've nicknamed the island 'l'Île Intense'. The uniquely intricate social tapestry which blends Indian, African and Chinese stuns with its vibrant twist just as much as the island's landscapes morphing from lava fields to verdant forests, from rugged peaks to sprawling sand beaches and costal resorts. Nature waves its magic wand here conjuring dramatic volcano-shaped vistas of forest-covered peaks, rushing waterfalls and cirques- natural volcanic amphitheaters, making any a trek into places like Salazie an unforgettable experience. If you're lucky, you might even witness the magnificent Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, spitting some fiery molten lava. Hungry for more? How about some big waves to hit with your surfing board in the palm-fringed Saint-Gilles? Saint-Leu and the nearby Coral Turtle Farm will surely keep you excited too with the island's best scuba-diving and snorkeling sites. Mind you, the idyllic emerald waters are also on sharks' holiday itinerary! Among the treats you'll find the black volcanic sands at Etang-Salé, plenty of footpaths and daredevil drops to choose from in Cilaos as well as the capital Saint Denis urban attractions. All of them spiced up Reunion's rich melting pot of culture.