Complete Guide to Minimoons Around the World in October-November
Celebrate new beginnings in every season, with a guide to minimoons around the world
Set out on a brief adventure to keep that post-wedding glow alive. Minimoons are the picture-perfect escape after the big day, and it is all about creating those first precious memories as a married couple (before the real world calls you back) in a short period. There’s that perfect place for all couples, no matter the time of the year. Just as we switch up our wardrobes with the seasons, our adventures need to change too.
Minimoon Guide for October and November
Where to go:
Lush, sun-drenched, and impossibly serene. For couples looking to celebrate their just-married bliss, this Indian Ocean Island offers a kind of natural romance that’s quietly powerful. What sets Mauritius apart is its deeply immersive sense of nature. From the surreal landscape of the 23 Colored Earth to the morning stillness of a sunrise pony ride, every moment here connects you to nature in a way that feels both grounding and magical. When my husband and I went, we completely unplugged from our phones, from our routine, and the world. Each day was a new adventure, and here’s just a glimpse of how you can make it the perfect minimoon spot.
Where to stay:
Four Seasons Resort at Anahita
I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect base. Our days alternated between total relaxation, like overwater spa treatments with fresh aloe from the garden, and excursions such as snorkelling in jewel-toned waters and sailing lessons. The balance was what made it so special. You’re wrapped in world-class hospitality, yet the experiences still feel raw and so very special. The resort is currently closed for a makeover, but it reopens on November 1 this year.
What to eat:
The island’s melting pot of cultures comes to life on every plate. You’ll find a consistent thread of authenticity, passion for local ingredients, and a deep respect for heritage. Here, food isn’t just nourishment, it’s storytelling, art, and celebration.
Flying Dodo Microbrewery
Mauritius’ first craft brewery, where you can expect bold, ever-changing beers and a rustic menu in a casual setting at Bagatelle.
Amari by Vineet
Modern Indian fine dining by Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia.
Le Chamarel Restaurant
Dine 260 metres above sea level with panoramic views and indulge in Creole tasting menus, local galak, and estate-grown coffee.
Le Barachois
A floating, candlelit seafood restaurant set among mangroves, ideal for a romantic, secluded evening.
La Table du Château
This fine dining spot in Domaine de Labourdonnais serves creative Mauritian European cuisine.
Le Fangourin
Ideal for a tranquil lunch, with views of the Pieter Both mountains and Creole-French dishes made from garden-sourced ingredients.
What to do:
Zipline at La Vallée des Couleurs
Let’s start with what was hands-down my favourite adventure. Picture this: you’re gliding through the air on a 1.5 km zipline, the longest in Mauritius, flying above waterfalls, lush forests, and the famous 23 Coloured Earth, which are volcanic formations in surreal hues of red, violet, ochre, and blue. La Vallée des Couleurs isn’t just a park, it’s a technicolour dream where adrenaline meets awe.
Hiking and Quad Biking
If you’re craving that raw connection with nature, head to Black River Gorges National Park. It’s the largest protected forest on the island, and it feels ancient, wild, and completely untouched. I loved the Macchabee Trail — a 10 km trek with jaw-dropping viewpoints, waterfalls, and the occasional pink pigeon. Another experience I recommend is quad biking through La Vallée des Couleurs or Casela Nature Park. You’ll race through volcanic craters, muddy jungle paths, sugarcane fields, and even get close to cliffside lookouts.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden
This Pamplemousses garden is like a living museum. Giant Amazonian water lilies float lazily on ponds, palm trees tower above like guardians, and everything around smells faintly of spice and oil. It’s the oldest botanic garden in the Southern Hemisphere.
Vanill’Art Mauritius
A family-run plantation nestled among wild orchards, this vanilla farm was such a peaceful escape. Dhareena, the 5th-generation farmer, welcomed us with a tasting basket filled with vanilla caviar and exotic fruits from their gardens. It was soulful, pure, and intimate.
Bois Chéri Tea Estate
If Mauritius had a scent, it would be the vanilla-tea aroma that lingers around Bois Chéri. I loved walking through the estate, learning about its legacy dating back to 1892, and tasting their signature teas in a café that overlooks rolling hills. My favourite part? The Bois Chéri restaurant, where we enjoyed shrimp infused with green tea and chicken in vanilla tea sauce — both unusual but memorable combinations.
Rum and Sugar Tasting at L’Aventure Du Sucre
A beautifully restored sugar factory turned museum, L’Aventure du Sucre takes you through Mauritius’s colonial past, sugarcane legacy, and present-day innovations. Their tasting sessions included everything from unrefined brown sugars to aromatic local rums.
Horseback Riding at Haras du Morne
What’s more cinematic than riding a rescued racehorse across a windswept beach with turquoise waves crashing nearby? Haras du Morne is a special place, started by Madame Sultana Gallion to save retired racehorses. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, this experience is pure magic, especially during the golden hour.
Underwater Waterfall
Okay, this one’s not underwater, but it’s an optical illusion so captivating you’ll never believe otherwise. The illusion is created by sand and silt being pulled by ocean currents, and from the air it looks like a roaring waterfall sinking into the deep. Bonus: the helicopter ride over Le Morne to see the effect is also an unbeatable panoramic sight.
Aisha Saraf Kothari is the founder of AiSPi, an e-commerce platform that blends travel and fashion, allowing users to
discover and shop local boutiques and curated global luxury designers through online and offline trunk shows.
This story appears in Manifest India’s Issue 03. Subscribe here for more stories like this.