Lucas Santos takes us on vacation with an expert itinerary and essential packing list
Mauritius is a multi-faceted tropical island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar with a European flair and jaw-dropping natural wonders akin to those found in Hawaii or French Polynesia.
For more than 30 years, Condé Nast Traveler has set the standard on destination-driven journalism, with glossy pages bringing to life everything from far-flung jungle retreats to cosmopolitan capitals (Santos calls the magazine “your well-travelled best friend.”) Its’ motto, “Truth In Travel,” makes clear the title’s first and foremost proposition value, a lived-up to promise of no-nonsense coverage that’s kept generations of fans coming back for advice, ideas, and inspiration. As the reading material of choice for Onia addicts with a penchant for planning luxurious, informative trips, we thought it only made sense to tap this industry insider for jet-set secrets, including — naturally — a cheat-sheet to his favorite place on earth, plus exclusive travel tips and expert vacation style.
Where He Stayed
"The best hotel on the entire island, hands-down. It recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation that brought new luxurious touches to its already impressive suites and amenities. The resort's beach is also uniquely located on the very tip of the Poste de Flacq peninsula, offering the most private guest experience of arguably any other location in Mauritius."
Where He Ate
"An open-air Japanese fusion restaurant with a see-it-to-believe-it dock laid out with tables and couches jutting out into the lagoon — a choice spot for guests to grab a pre-dinner cocktail or post-dinner night-cap."
What He Did
Hike Le Morne Brabant
"Climb Le Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's Mauritius' most emblematic mountain and potentially one of the most stunning hikes in the world. It is privately owned, so make sure and book a guide who has permission from the owners. The 360-degree views from the top are some of the best I've ever seen."
Inside His Suitcase
"I'm naturally drawn to palm tree prints, especially when looking for a holiday outfit. It's usually when I'm on vacation that I feel I can take more risk or be more carefree about what I wear. Living in NYC, I tend to default to black on black almost daily, so it was nice to mix it up. While the shirt is comfortable and casual, it dressed up nicely for al fresco dinners with a nice pair of blue or white linen pants or ripped white jeans."
"While a Terry hoodie might seem like an odd piece for a tropical vacation, this piece came in extremely handy on our multiple flights and airport layovers. It's very likely one of the softest sweatshirts I've ever worn."
"Every man should have a nice pair of white linen pants, especially if you're someone who travels to as many island getaways (or tries to) as much as I do. While I was there, the average temperature hovered around 88F and the humidity stabilized at 90-100%, so these pants were a lifesaver for dinners."
"These trunks were surprisingly comfortable to wear around all day and transition from pool to beach to lunch and then back to the beach. The coral pink leafy print was also just the right amount of subtle yet loud look that I gravitate towards while on vacation."