December 2022: Did you know that an island vacation is more than shorelines and tropical climates? It is when someone checks in at The Residence by Cenizaro properties in Mauritius, Maldives, and Zanzibar. Sample this: experiencing farm-to-table dining, deep sea diving, feeling an adrenaline rush with water sports, and having lunch in a forest. Tempting enough? It’s time to hop on to an island in the Indian Ocean for the first trip of the year 2023.

The Residence Mauritius

Mauritius enjoys a special status in the hearts of Indian travellers. With white powdery beaches, turquoise waters, and mountain peaks, Mauritius is an island of contrasts.

Seamlessly blending tradition and modernity, the Residence Mauritius has plantation houses dotting the beach. The resort arranges meals with a local family that begins with picking up fresh produce at the market and ends with relishing an authentic Mauritian meal. There are private cooking lessons for cooking creole dishes, such as cari poule, a spicy chicken curry dish served during cultural festivals and at Hindu wedding ceremonies.

One can add many activities to their itineraries, such as a picnic with family on the nearby Sancho Island; a visit to the Vanilla Nature Park, Black River Gorges, and Gris Gris. For history buffs, a visit to the museums and a peek into Mauritian poet Robert Edward Hart’s life is a perfect way to spend the day.

The Residence Maldives – Dhigurah & Falhumaafushi

Transforming from one of the best-kept secrets to the most aspired destination in the world, Maldives has become the gold standard when it comes to island vacations. A stay at the Residence Maldives means enjoying a tailored vacation that takes the experience a notch higher.

Right from the moment one steps onto one of the largest twin islands along the Gaafu Alifu atoll, the breathtaking view captures their imagination. Whether they choose to stay in an overwater villa or a beachfront room in Dhigurah or Falhumaafushi, the jewels of the Indian Ocean would be etched in their memories for life.

The leisurely walks on the kilometre-long bridge connecting can be blended with thoughtful activities: sailing with family and watching playful dolphins swim around the boat; bottom-line fishing; deep-sea diving; or snorkelling safari.

A gastronomic delight awaits the guests as they are spoiled for choices – floating breakfast in a private pool by the overwater villa, seafood delicacies, live grills, and a farm-to-table experience with Earth Basket.

Home to the only Clarins Spa in the Maldives, there is an impressive line-up of wellness and beauty rituals. While parents align their minds and body with guided yoga, aqua yoga, and meditation sessions, children can enjoy a fun-filled day on the beach or at the Kids Club with trained caretakers.

The Residence Zanzibar

Known for spice plantations and indigenous wildlife, the Zanzibar archipelago is a melting pot of African, Indian, and Arabic cultures. This rawness of nature blends well with luxury at the Residence Zanzibar.

Nestled in tropical gardens and flanked by a mile-long beach dotted with coconut palm trees, the interiors are inspired by an amalgamation of African, Omani, and European heritage. A family lunch gets a new meaning as the chefs whip flavourful meals with a fusion of Indian, Arabic, and Mediterranean influences.

Some of the activities that the resort can arrange for its guests include a private round trip to Jozani Forest, home to the indigenous red colobus monkeys; an ocean safari to explore the underwater world around Fumba in the southwest of Zanzibar; sailing in a traditional dhow to spot humpback and bottlenose dolphins at Menai Bay; or taking a dip near the island of Kwale. The lepidopterists can visit the Zanzibar Butterfly Centre to witness the preservation and farming of endangered species. The day can conclude with lunch in the middle of the jungle.

Activate a vacation responder on your email and let the sights, sounds, and smells of an island engulf you.

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