Disclaimer: I was gifted the SMWS April Tasting pack by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. (Thank you!) However, I am under no obligation to enjoy the whiskies. All the opinions contained in this post are my own. Additionally, I am an affiliate of the SMWS. Affiliate links in this post are in green, for which I may earn a small commission, if you choose to purchase from it.

Also, the April Tasting Pack is now sold out, but there are other virtual (and now in-person tastings!)

Although I’ve visited and done tours and tastings at four whisky distilleries around Scotland, that’s nothing compared to the hundreds that exist!  I am in no way a whisky expert, but I’m enthusiastic and learning.  This post is written for people like me – who have interest in whisky, but not necessarily the nose and experience to be considered a connoisseur.

So if you’re a whisky expert, this post is probably a little basic for you.  But first, a brief intro.

1. Brief Introduction to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Ironically, in 2018, I did a whisky tasting and haggis pairing at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society member rooms in Edinburgh, so I’m not stranger to the organization. 

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is a membership organization or club for people who love… you guessed it! Single malt scotch whiskies.  (Me!)  They have member rooms in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London, as well as partner whisky bars globally.

Something that I find really interesting about SMWS whiskies is that the distilleries are anonymized.  The spirits are bottled, labelled, and named into something different.  Each whisky is identified by two numbers (corresponding to the distillery and the cask number), a color code for the taste profile, and a fun, sometimes cheeky, description.  As an example, one of the whiskies we will taste is: 48.118 Trekking in the Jungle. 

Wait, does Scotland have a jungle?  Um, no.  So, don’t take the names too seriously. 

Not only that, all Scotch Malt Whisky Society whiskies are “bottled from a single cask, at cask strength with no water or colouring added and with no chill filtration.” (From the Scotch Malt Whisky Society website)

So, now that you’re all experts… onto the whiskies!

2. SMWS April Tasting Pack

The SMWS tasting pack came with 5 whiskies, with really fun names, as well as a little envelope containing cards with the tasting notes and details about the spirit itself.

And now, onto the 5 whiskies.

48.118 Trekking in the jungle
82.31 Give free rein to the imagination
26.160 Fruit market – candy store
G8.17 Candles, kumquats and polished oak
42.52 Wood smoke through a porthole

3. The Three Distilleries Path on Islay

I decided a fun way to to get to know my new home and these 5 whiskies would be to do the tastings while walking along the Three Distilleries Walk on Islay. Arguably, it’s one of the best walks on Islay, with views of the sea and plenty of sheep to keep you company! For those cyclists, don’t worry – it’s also a cycle path, so biking along the path is allowed!

The Three Distilleries Pathway runs on the southern part of Islay, between Port Ellen and Ardbeg. Since I knew I would be drinking, I decided to take the bus to Ardbeg Distillery and walk back.

Some quick facts about the path:

• The path is 6 miles, there and back (trail map);
• It is a paved path, along the right side of the main road;
• The 3 distilleries that you come across are (in the order I did it): Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig – hello peaty Islay whiskies, and world famous distilleries!
  • If you have the time, you’re always welcome to stop off and do some distillery tours along the walk!
  • Check the distilleries’ websites to confirm whether booking needs to be done in advance or whether they are running tours or tastings;
• It’s a nice distance between each stop:
  • Ardbeg to Lagavulin: 1 km / 0.6 mi
  • Lagavulin to Laphroaig: 1.6 km / 1 mi
  • Laphroaig to Port Ellen 1.6 km / 1 mi
• It’s a one way path, so the return trip would obviously be double. Or, do what I did and take the bus for one way!

Somewhere, there’s 2 km missing if you add it up, but by the time 5 whiskies are down, I don’t think you’ll care. It’s an easy going walk, with nice paved pathways. And there are plenty of benches along the way to sit back, and enjoy the view (or a whisky). There is one small hill between Laphroaig and Port Ellen, but besides that, it’s relatively flat.

Get your bearings straight with an Ordnance Survey map of South Islay!

Do note that the three distilleries (Ardbeg Distillery, Lagavulin Distillery, and Laphroaig Distillery) are not affiliated with my SMWS tasting. But I love being able to do the walk and to visit the outside of these magical places!

4. Scotch whisky tasting along the Three Distilleries Path on Islay

Besides the tasting pack itself, I brought a pipette (and some water) and a Glencairn glass, to help bring out the flavors and aromas.

For the full play by play on my three distilleries, SWMS tasting adventure, I’ve included it in my Instagram highlights. Only people with an Instagram account can view.

And then I was off!

4.1 Cask No. G8.17 Candles, Kumquats and Polished Oak.

The first of the SWMS April Tasting Pack I tried was Candles, Kumquats and Polished Oak. The tasting profile calls it “old and dignified.”

Region: Lowland
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
Age: 31 years
ABV: 59.7%

Upon smelling it, that polished oak really comes through. It was almost a surprise how closely it smelled like polished oak. But on the taste, it was definitely sweet, some citrusy kumquats – maybe some honey. Tastes nice, but the smell wasn’t for me.

4.2 Cask No. 26.160 Fruit market – candy store

The second whisky I tasted was Fruit market – candy store. The tasting profile calls it “juicy, oak and vanilla.”

Region: Highland
Cask: 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel
Age: 9 years
ABV: 56.7%

The tasting notes said the aroma was full of fruits (green apples, pineapple, gooseberries). The palate itself was definitely sweet. SMWS suggested tastes of honey, banoffee pie, nougat, orange pastilles – but with spice hints.

Definitely, the smell was extremely fruity and sweet. But what was wild was the taste – it tasted like banana candy! You know that banana candy flavor. For the nostalgic Americans out there, it was like the Runts banana candy flavor. A little too sweet for my whisky palate, but interesting. Enjoyable.

Onward! To Lagavulin!

At Lagavulin, there is a nice wooden path that leads to a gazebo overlooking Lagavulin Bay. From there, you can catch views of the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle, which previously served as the naval base of the Lord of the Isles!

4.3 Cask No. 42.52 Wood smoke through a porthole

When I first opened the SMWS April Tasting Pack, and I saw the description of “wood smoke through a porthole,” I knew I was going to do this tasting at Laphroaig.

Laphroaig’s whiskies have often been described as super smoky and peaty. To take a direct quote off of their Opinions Welcome, 200 Anniversary Wall, it’s:

Like licking a peat stove’s ashtray, but less frowned upon.

Neel Van Hossel

So, with that roundabout introduction, Wood Smoke through a Port Hole. Tasting profile “Peated.”

Region: Highland
Cask: Refill ex-bourbon hogshead
Age: 13 years
ABV: 58.3%

This is my “OOF! This is smoky” face. (Actual reaction)

If you can still count at this point, we’ve done all three distilleries and 3 out of 5 whiskies!

4.4 Cask No. 82.31 Give free rein to the imagination

A “spicy and sweet” whisky for the 4th whisky, and my face getting redder and redder.

Region: Highland
Cask: 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel
Age: 9 years
ABV: 61.9% !!!!!!!

I can see why this is categorized in the spicy and sweet profile – it was both of those. Although, I’d probably say it was sweeter than spicy. The little hint of spice only came in at the finish. But, with this one being so high in alcohol (nearly 62%!!!!), and the fact that I was already tipsy from the others, the strong alcohol content was kind of a kick to the face! (More of a kick to the face than the Wood Fire through a Port Hole!) Intense!

I had to take a break following the 4th whisky. So let me just insert some random photos from along the way. Lots of gorgeous sea views, and of course, sheep.

4.5 Cask No. 48.118 Trekking in the jungle

The last dram in the SMWS April Tasting Pack is Trekking in the Jungle. By that time, I had already reached Port Ellen, the official end of the Three Distilleries Path, and also, my home village. I don’t think public consumption is allowed within the village itself (not 100% sure) so I decided to err on the side of caution and take the last whisky home!

So, Trekking in the Jungle had a taste profile of “young and spritely.” As someone who may or may not self-describe as “young(ish) and spritely” themselves, I was really excited to taste this one.

Region: Speyside
Cask: 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel
Age: 7 years
ABV: 60.6%

I’m going to actually include the notes on the card, because it’s so… unique.

“We made cilantro mint chutney using Greek style natural yoghurt, fresh cilantro, ginger, jalapeno, garlic, mint and lemon juice to accompany our vegetable samosas. On the palate neat we had Kendal mint cake, that sugar-based confection flavoured with peppermint, popular among British climbers as a source of energy. In our case however they were laced with chilli flakes for an extra oomph. After the addition of water we imagined walking through mountain grassland, a cooling herbal, green, fresh breeze as we gathered strength for our ascent to a snow-capped mountain peak. Having reached the top we cooked on a tiny gas stove a delicious tom yam soup.”

I know what you’re thinking. All this, in a whisky?? Your skepticism is not unfounded. Everything as described as above… cilantro mint chutney, veggie samosas, tom yum soup. I’m all for it. But not in a whisky. I’m not sure if the description clouded my taste, or that the taste itself was not to my liking. Either way, this turned out to be my least favorite.

But maybe you like eating a savory meal in your whisky. Everyone is different, and that’s ok!

5. Parting thoughts on SMWS April Tasting Pack

All in all, the tasting pack was really fun! I loved the unique expressions, which came in all different flavors and aromas. Not only that, the difference in the ages ranged from a 7-year whisky to one aged 31-years. I’m not sure what the oldest whisky I’ve tried was, but it was nowhere near 31 years, until now.

Out of the 5 whiskies, there were 3 Highland whiskies, 1 Speyside, and 1 Lowland whisky. I guess since there are 5 whisky regions, with Campbeltown and Islay being the other two, I hoped for one dram from each region. So in that respect, I was a little disappointed that their peated selection came from the Highlands, and not Islay itself – which is renowned for their peated whiskies.

The heavy ABV content was kind of a surprise. Then again, all of them are undiluted cask strength whiskies. I didn’t drink the full tasting bottles for each whisky. But even then, after 5 tastings, I was definitely drunk.

Of course, there is the option not to drink the whiskies, but to spit it out. But, why would I do that? No, these are phenomenal whiskies. Too good to spit out.

As you can see, I had a really fun time on the Three Distilleries Path with my SMWS April Tasting Pack. If anyone is looking for something fun to do, maybe you want to try your own whisky tasting from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society!

And hope you all enjoyed seeing a little bit of my new home through the Three Distilleries Path on Islay! Until next time, stay safe, and Slàinte Mhath! 

6. Info on ordering your own SMWS April Tasting Pack

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society regularly hosts virtual and in-person whisky tastings for its members. In case you’re curious about membership, I’ve detailed all the ins and outs of memberships, here.

For information on ordering your SMWS tasting or joining as a member:

Tasting Pack costs: 30 – 35£ – click to order a different tasting pack!
SMWS Annual Membership (UK): 85£ – click to join!

Disclaimer: I was gifted the SMWS April Tasting pack by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. (Thank you!) However, I am under no obligation to enjoy the whiskies. All the opinions contained in this post are my own. Additionally, I am an affiliate of the SMWS. Affiliate links in this post are in green, for which I may earn a small commission, if you choose to purchase from it.

For more ideas on your travel to Islay:

• consider staying at Glenegedale House, recently voted Scotland’s most hospitable B&B;
• or the Port Charlotte Hotel, which has a famous whisky bar and delicious food in their restaurant;
• my post on the best things to do on Islay!
• Looking for another whisky walk? Try the Bruichladdich / Loch Indaal Way! You’ll pass by Bruichladdich Distillery along the way 🙂
• Or perhaps, take a guided small group tour to Islay, and relax the whole way!

Need directions to Islay? I’ve broken it down in these two posts:

• How to get to Islay from Glasgow – using the bus and the ferry!
• Or, if you’re coming from Northern Ireland, there are seasonal sailings from Ballycastle to Port Ellen. Doable as a day trip from Belfast!

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/

• Islands, and therefore an ocean or sea;
• Interesting landscape that’s hike-able;
• Great cuisine, worth breaking keto for;
• Fresh seasonal fruit.

I think this is my personal recipe for ultimate rest and relaxation.  And if you are reading this post, there’s a large chance that you feel the same way.

1. Introduction to Mauritius

Mauritius is an independent island nation 1100 km | 700 miles off the coast of Madagascar in the South Indian Ocean, or 2000 km | 1100 miles off the coast of the African mainland.  Mauritius was an uninhabited island for many centuries.  Although people are not native to Mauritius, do you know what is?  The famous, but extinct, dodo bird. 

The old dodo called Mauritius home, until 1662 when the last one died. Drought, predation by rats, or settlers hunting dodos for food are the primary reasons for the dodo’s extinction. However, the culture and reverence of the dodo bird still continues to this day.

In the Middle Ages, Arab explorers visited the island, but did not stay. Portuguese explorers in the early 1500s did the same and had little interest in staying on the island. It wasn’t until the Dutch inhabited the island in 1638 that Mauritius developed an economy around ebony trees and sugar cane. The Dutch also gave Mauritius its name, after Prince Maurice of Nassau. By 1710, the Dutch abandoned their settlements.

Fast forward an occupation by the French, who brought African slaves to the island, and then a war with the British, that ended in French surrender after 5 days, in December 1810. When the British took over Mauritius, slavery was still ongoing, but by 1835, the crown abolished slavery in its colonies. Following the abolition of slavery, the British brought indentured servants from India to supplement the shortage of labor in the sugar fields. Unfortunately, the Indian indentured servants were not treated any better than the slaves.

By 1968, the British granted independence to Mauritius, with Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam as their new prime minister, and Queen Elizabeth II still retaining the title of head of state, and Queen of Mauritius. Since 1992, Mauritius has been a republic, independent of Britain.

2. Mauritius Conscious Travel

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored, in part, by Mauritius Conscious Travel.

As a true humanitarian, my trip was last minute, and I needed help with planning and booking.  And that’s how I found Mauritius Conscious Travel! Tailor-made itineraries and the focus on sustainable and eco-friendly travel drew me in immediately.  I gave them my dates and things that I liked, and they provided a sample itinerary immediately for review and updates.  We worked together to tweak it to my exact preference. The result was a Lannie-specific 7-day Mauritius itinerary, which focused on hiking and food. 

Included in my custom package:

• 7 nights lodging
• 7 days rental car (automatic transmission)
• Breakfast (every day), lunch (1), dinners (4), one food tour that can sustain you through lunch
• Entrance tickets or local guides for 6 activities
• Suggested activities for free days
• Donation to offset your carbon footprint
• Custom Google Maps for your trip

Excluded:

• Flights
• Travel insurance
• Petrol / gasoline for the rental car

Interested in a trip to Mauritius?
Contact them here and see a sample itinerary,
made just for my blog readers!

3. My Costs

• Travel arrangements by Mauritius Conscious: 1452 EUR | $1631 USD;
• Dubai to Mauritius round trip flight on Emirates (paid by my work): 4275 AED | $1163 USD;
• Kabul to Dubai round trip flight on Emirates (paid by my work): $442 USD;
• Petrol / gasoline for one week: approximately 2,200 MUR | $58 USD.

Total cost: $3294 USD.

4. Lodging

Everything is tailor-made on this trip! Including my choices for lodging, which comprised of local guesthouses with boundless hospitality, delicious local cuisine for breakfast and dinners, and lots of friendly, Mauritian smiles around.

For the first part of my trip, I stayed at a delightful guesthouse in historic Bel Ombre (“bell om” for those who want to pronounce it correctly). Located in the South, the guesthouse is situated on the property of an old Bel Ombre plantation. The stay also included free access of a nearby beach club, as well as entrance to the plantation house.

I absolutely loved staying at this guesthouse! Everything was so stylish and comfortable. The staff were amazing! Every morning, before I could function, they knew I would need a coffee, even before food showed up.

At this location, breakfast and dinner were included. Breakfast typically had made-to-order eggs, crepes, fresh breads and jams, and fruit. The dinners were amazing, and normally has a buffet of Mauritian, creole cuisine or barbecued, grilled meats. The last night I was there, they served a normal sit down dinner, of Mauritian cuisine.

For the second guesthouse, I moved to Belle Mare, on the northeastern coast of the island. Opened by a Thai and Mauritian couple, it was a hidden sanctuary in the tropics. The guesthouse was separate from another complex that housed the pool. The dining area was there too, with a view of the lake.

This location is great for those who want to unwind and take a break from the outside world. WiFi is only available in the public spaces and dining area, not in the rooms. Normally this is fine, as long as I’m mentally prepared for it. Unfortunately, I had work to do, so this made it a little challenging.

The meals at the guesthouse were also amazing! Dinners are usually a Thai and Mauritian mix, with one dinner having a chicken satay appetizer and some curries and cole slaw. Absolutely delicious! The breakfasts were equally as amazing, with a fresh fruit platter, crepes, and some eggs!

Click here to read about Mauritius’ COVID-19 Travel Update

5. Activities

5.1. Eau Bleu Waterfalls

My first day in Mauritius, fresh from Kabul and a long layover in Dubai, I landed at MRU at 09:00 AM. What better way to get rid of the exhaustion of travel than jumping into a fresh pool from a waterfall? I know not everyone is as adventurous as I am, but I cannot recommend this enough!!

Day 1 #Mauritius, a few hours after my red eye flight, I jumped in here. Literally. 🤩🇲🇺 pic.twitter.com/DTsekSRQrn

— Lannie (@lannietravels) February 22, 2020

My guide, Vik, and I did a mild hike to reach a secluded waterfall area, and took a break to jump in and relax. Vik is a part time hiking guide, who has a genuine passion for conservation. We picked up some trash along the way and took it with us when we left. We only have the one earth – we need to take care of it.

5.2. Ile aux Aigrettes

The next day was learning about conservation with a tour to Ile aux Aigrette, an islet off the east coast of Mauritius. The island is a nature reserve and has a research station for local flora and fauna. Ile aux Aigrette is also home to the last remains of the “dry coastal forest”, which before deforestation, covered all of Mauritius Island, as well. Unlike Mauritius, which is a volcanic island, Ile aux Aigrette was formed of calcified limestone layers over the centuries.

Similar to Mauritius Island, Ile aux Aigrette suffered in the past due to logging and land clearance. It wasn’t until 1965 when it was declared a nature reserve, that intense conservation of the island began.

Rose, our guide, taught us about the different species of plants and animals on the island, both existing and extinct. There is also ample bird watching available, but the real stars of the show are the tortoises that live on the island. The one below, next to Rose, is about 90 years old, and old George with me is 100+!

5.3. Blue Bay snorkeling, from a glass bottom boat

A short drive down the road is Blue Bay, the most beautiful waters you can find. Perfect for snorkeling, or relaxing and looking through a glass bottom boat. I honestly could not give you any more specifics on the reef or any of the coral or fish in the bay. The excursion was guided, but they only spoke French from the beginning and I did not make the effort to tell them I only spoke English.

After the glass bottom boat and snorkeling, we were taken across the bay to an island that the government leased out to a resort. We hung out on the island while our hosts prepared a lunch for us! Fish curry, coleslaw and rice. And of course, they paired it with a view of Blue Bay and Lion Mountain, and some rum punch!

5.4. Lion Mountain

The next day, I was back with Vik, attempting to hike up Lion Mountain! I say “attempt” because it was so much tougher than I expected! More on that in a bit…

Lion Mountain is located in the southeast part of Mauritius, overlooking the Vieux Grand Port (the old port where the Dutch landed in 1598) and the coastal town of Mahébourg (pronounced MAY-burg). Rising to a height of 480 meters, Lion Mountain is a landmark on this side of the island. The hike is a bit challenging, and not recommended for people with lower fitness levels. Part of the challenge is the terrain, which varies from the infamous 102 stairs in the beginning, to rocky, uneven terrain. When you get closer to the top, there is also some bouldering. For those inexperienced in “bouldering,” that is both hands and feet on rock face, pulling yourself upward!

Imagine me, with my approx 7-10 kg backpack full of camera gear. Ok, before you say anything, this is my normal hiking backpack weight due to all my camera equipment! When I don’t bring my camera gear, the regrets run so deep that I purposely train to carry all this weight with me on hikes. And in fairness, I didn’t know there would be aspects of “climbing” on this hike. So, all of this just to say, a HUGE THANK YOU to Vik, for being patient and understanding with me. There were moments that were personally challenging and frustrating.

When I say “leave me alone,” I really only mean, “let me try my best to manage on my own.” If I still fail, I will ask for your help and be grateful that you offered help to begin with.

– said the stubborn, independent w-o-m-a-n, who really appreciates the offer.

The hike was originally advertised to take 3 hours total, but Vik and I ended up taking over 6 hours. Sure, we stopped along the way and at the top, but I cannot imagine having done this at twice the speed! Luckily we had enough water and snacks to keep us both alive. And, true to Vik’s eco-conscious ethos, we picked up trash along the way, as well. Unfortunately, as before at Eau Bleu, we found trash inside nooks and crannies of the boulders, as well as at scenic viewpoints. Let’s keep this earth beautiful, people!

We still picked up trash along the way, despite my challenges.

To keep me going at the very end, when motivation was at an all time low, Vik made the promise of bringing me to “the best noodles in Mahebourg.” Is there any better motivation than that? Obviously not. Well, when you promise me noodles at the bottom of a mountain, you better believe I’ll make it down! And we did. Thank you, Vik for the two incredible hikes! And of course, the spicy noodles (called millie boouillie manguac).

5.5. Chamarel

Located in the Rivière Noire District of Mauritius, the village of Chamarel is home to many of the island’s natural wonders – waterfalls, ebony forests, and the 7 Colored Earth. While my itinerary also suggested a visit to the Black River Gorges National Park and the Bois Cheri Tea planation, due to unforeseen circumstances, regretfully, I was unable to make it there. Instead, I added my own nuance, and stopped by the Rhumerie de Chamarel (the Chamarel Rum Distillery) for a tour and some lunch.

I detoured to Rhumerie de Chamarel for a few reasons:

• Given Mauritius’ history of sugar cane and its recent emergence on the global rum scene, I really wanted to visit a rum distillery;
• I heard that its restaurant, L’Alchimiste (the Alchemist), was amazing;
• If you eat lunch at L’Alchimiste, your rum tasting and tour is free!

In addition to the above reasons, the rum tasting came with NINE DIFFERENT RUMS. Nine! Sure, I’ve had eight course tasting menus of tacos and Scottish fare, but alcohol? Nine different rums? It was unreal! I purposely chose to do the tour and tasting before lunch, so I could sober up during lunch. This trip, afterall, has been a solo, driving adventure. Safety first!

Fully sober, I had to cut my day short in search of a gas station. I did not pass a single gas station between Bel Ombre and Chamarel, and after asking several locals, the nearest gas station was in Black River (in the opposite direction of Black River Gorges National Park and Bois Cheri Tea). According to Google Maps, it was about 16 km away, and my trusty car indicated I had 39 km left on this tank.

After awhile, my car stopped its countdown, basically telling me: it’s dire. Get gas now! In situations like that, there is literally nothing you can do but hope that the 39 km, even with a little plus or minus, means you can still at least drive half of that. And even if 20 km (half) was my absolute maximum, I could still make it to Black River to fill up.

I can sense my sister’s anxiety rising as she is reading this. She would never allow the gas tank to get to that level, basically, systematically filling up when the car has one-quarter of a tank left. If only I learned from her… but no. Just so everyone can rest assured, SPOILER ALERT: I made it to the gas station.

5.6. Litchi Wine Tasting

Nestled in the middle of the island is a unique winery, which likes to do things differently. But hey, different is good! I love different!

So, how is this winery different?

Well, for starters, they make their wine from lychees, not grapes! For those who don’t know, lychees are a tropical fruit, with a delightful pink shell covering the white fruit (with a sizeable seed) on the inside. I’ve had lychee martinis and lychee cocktails in the past, but lychee wine was new to me! Due to Mauritius’ varied microclimates, the fruit itself is not grown on the property. The fruit comes from local Mauritian farmers, from the northern part of the island.

Lychee Fruit

Another thing that sets this winery apart from others is their committment to being ecologically friendly. The winery uses Mauritius’ abundant rainwater to wash and clean its fermentation vats. All of the discarded parts of the lychee are subsequently used in the winery’s vegetable garden or on the grounds.

The winery also has a restaurant on site. In the quiet, calm Mauritian countryside, having lunch, paired with a wine tasting, there was nothing more I could ask for in life. The tasting comprised of three different wines – two whites and a rose. The wines are sweet, light and crisp – perfectly refreshing for a summer’s day.

Thank you, Mauritius Conscious, for sponsoring this delightful wine tasting, and for planning such a great trip!

5.7. Port Louis Historical and Food Tour

On my last full day in Mauritius, I finally set foot in Port Louis, the capital city! And what better way to round out the trip than walking, eating, and learning about the history of Port Louis?

Jaya is the most delightful guide. She is also a part time artist who loves sharing insights and stories of her home! The tour took us through Port Louis’ Indian and Chinese neighborhoods to visit generations-old shops, cultural landmarks and of course, trying all the food that we could!

One of the most unique things about this experience was the access to hidden gems around these ethnic enclaves of Port Louis. I can’t give away all the secrets, but it is absolutely worth it! These hidden gems show you a side of Mauritius that you don’t often get to see. Secret places in the Jummah Mosque, behind the scenes look into the Chinese community center (the stuff of my memories!!!), hidden courtyards, and families and businesses that have been around for generations. This experience fills your heart with rich stories of Mauritius and Mauritians and fills your belly with delicious Mauritian food.

6. Parting Thoughts

What an absolute fun-filled week in Mauritius!! Having a tailor-made itinerary gives you so much flexibility to have the exact holiday that you want! Local perspectives and stories made the experience so much richer! Not only that, you can rest assured that you are doing your part in being an environmentally responsible tourist, promoting sustainable travel.

As part of the package, Mauritius Conscious Travel has made a donation to offset all the carbon from your trip, including flights and your driving! That makes this a carbon neutral trip! Feel free to read more on Mauritius Conscious’ Sustainable Travel Policy.

If you are looking for an eco-friendly, sustainable travel option, look no further than Mauritius with Mauritius Conscious Travel!

Would you like to gift a local, Mauritian experience to a friend? Click here to share a Conscious Gift!

7. Partnership

To conclude this post, I am delighted to announce that I have partnered with Mauritius Conscious as an ambassador. I am only counting down the days to when I can return to Mauritius to experience more local delights! Mauritius Conscious also helps create itineraries for neighboring Reunion Island and Rodrigues Island. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have about my trip, or my partnership with Mauritius Conscious!

As a disclaimer, if you book a holiday with Mauritius Conscious, I am eligible to receive a commission for your referral.

8. Interested in going to Mauritius?

If you’re interested in a trip to Mauritius, enter your contact information and a speciailist will get back to you ASAP!

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/