Mauritius

Like Seychelles, its neighbor to the northwest, Mauritius enters the 21st century as an exotic alternative to more traditional sun-and-fun beach destinations. This Indian Ocean crossroads has seen its share of cultural collisions – Dutch, French, British, Indian, and Creole – and today those influences flavor the island's colorful mix of religious festivals, as well as its spicy cuisine. French colonial buildings line the streets of the capital, Port Louis (where the Natural History Museum exhibits include a replica of the ill-fated, extinct dodo bird), and hikers can explore a world of trails, notably in Black River Gorges National Park. But if you make the long journey to Mauritius, it's usually because of the stunning, white-sand beaches, and the full gamut of activities that come with them – diving, surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing (marlin and yellowfin tuna abound). Besides, how can you not love a place with a beach named Flic en Flac?