Everyone deserves a dream holiday at least once in their life – if not many times more! So don’t miss out on our fantastic Dreams Made in Mauritius Facebook competition to be in with a chance of creating and winning yours. All you need to do is visit our Facebook page and follow the instructions for creating your own dream holiday. This week we’re partnering with the super stylish and stunningly situated LUX* Le Morne, so hurry and enter for your chance to win.

Holidays help us to reconnect with our friends and family, with nature, with our hobbies, and most of all, with ourselves. And according to a 2013 report from Kuoni, they even help us to live longer.

So if you’re looking to create the holiday of a lifetime, take note of our 10 tips and enjoy a holiday you can all look back on with pleasure for years to come.

1. Do your research

It may sound obvious but it pays to do your research, especially around things which are seasonal. There’s nothing worse than realising that rare bird migration you’ve waited all your life to see just happened a month before you arrived, or a brilliant week-long food festival is starting on the day you fly home.

2. Choose the right accommodation

When it comes to creating the perfect tropical holiday, choosing the right accommodation is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, especially if you’re travelling in a family group. Listen to the differing desires of everyone in your party, and be sure your final choice can meet their needs.

3. Take care in the sun

No one wants to be struck down with sunburn or sunstroke on their dream holiday. Mauritius lies firmly within the tropics, and all that gorgeous sunshine helps make our island so beautiful and bountiful. But to avoid any hiccups, slap on the sun cream and remember to cover up in the midday sun.

4. Eat something new

In a multicultural country like Mauritius, the diversity of cuisine can be overwhelming – in a good way. Take the time to slow down and really appreciate your food, and experiment with new dishes, ingredients, and street food. You could even take part in a cooking class and inspire your friends back home.

5. Experience local culture

Even if all you want to do is flop by the pool and relax, take the time to experience a bit of your destination’s lifestyle and culture. Spend half an hour watching the catch being landed in a fishing village like Grand Gaube, or eat an unforgettable meal in a local restaurant. These are the moments that will add colour to your memories.

6. Make time for yourself

Everyone needs time by themselves now and then. Whether you’re travelling as part of a couple, a family, or a group of friends, try and carve out some time for you alone. Take a meditation session or yoga class, try a new spa treatment, or simply indulge in an interruption-free afternoon nap. Afterwards you’ll feel re-energised and raring to go.

7. Do something indulgent

If you can’t do something indulgent on a dream holiday, when can you do it? Think about something you’ve always wanted to do and budget for it in advance, then enjoy it without guilt – whether it’s a full day of facials, massages and body scrubs, a round of golf on a top Mauritius Championship course, or a slap-up five course meal.

8. Visit a market

There’s simply no better way to get under the skin of a new destination like Mauritius than visiting one of its local markets. The market at Port Louis is a case in point - its stalls overflowing with fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, herbs, spices and other delicacies. Wander through and soak up all the sights, smells and sounds.

9. Do something physical

Your dream holiday may not involve frequent trips to the hotel gym, but a burst of physical activity in the open air can be a great way to experience the natural environment around you. And you don’t have to be super fit – a gentle swim or snorkel off the coast of Mauritius’s best beaches can be just as revealing and invigorating as running a marathon or a session of rock climbing.

10. Unplug

No, you don’t have to leave your laptop at home. But even one day away from email, social media and the internet can have a positive effect on you. Take time to finish reading the novel that’s been lying half-read for months, surprise friends back home with handwritten postcards, or enjoy the simple pleasure of a picnic on the beach. The wi-fi will still be working tomorrow

Remember, all you need to do is head over to our Dreams Made in Mauritius app and create your own dream holiday moodboard for your chance to win.

Photos: LUX* Resort - Le Morne, Mauritian BBQ at Zilwa Attitude, Spa - Beachcomber Trou aux biches, Legends Golf course - Constance Belle Mare Plage, Bread Festival in Port Louis, Beach - Zilwa Attitude.