The beautiful island named one of the top spots for winter sun that Brits hardly visit

A beautiful island has been named one of the top spots to get some winter sun. Searches for warm winter holidays increased by 5,000% over the past 30 days, according to Sovereign Luxury Travel.

Heather Green, head of product at Sovereign Luxury Travel, said travellers look for a chance to "truly switch off" with a holiday that's centred on "rest and renewal" before the year ahead: "Winter sun destinations provide a contrast to the grey UK winter, with their tropical warmth, golden beaches, and sense of escape that feels like a welcome break from the everyday." The bespoke luxury holiday expert has revealed the top four spots for a winter getaway, with an island nation included in the list. Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about 1,100 nautical miles off the coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar. It includes the main island (also called Mauritius), as well as Rodrigues, Agaléga, and St. Brandon. In 2021, French tourists made up 30% of visitors to Mauritius, while Brits made up less than 6%. The island was included on the list alongside the Canary Islands, the Maldives, and Mexico.

Sovereign Luxury Travel said Mauritius is an "inspired choice" if you're after a "chic Indian Ocean escape", recommending Anse La Raie specifically.

Even in winter, temperatures remain warm and inviting at around 29C, making it ideal for sun-drenched days on white-sand beaches and windsurfing across calm turquoise waters.

But there's much more attraction to Mauritius than the beach, with Lonely Planet saying it's "the kind of place that rewards even the smallest attempts at exploration".

There's hiking in the forested and mountainous interior and living and snorkelling offshore, as well as boat trips to islets and excursions to botanical gardens and colonial plantation houses.

Among Mauritius' must-visits is the Cap Malheureux Chapel. Its bright red roof and lush gardens sit in front of the sea, with intricate wooden interiors and a holy-water basin carved from a giant clamshell.

From the shoreline, you can also glimpse the rugged silhouette of Round Island, a protected natural reserve home to rare palms and reptiles.

Mauritius currently has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Aapravasi Ghat, a former immigration depot for indentured servants, and Le Morne Cultural Landscape, a mountain used as a shelter by runaway slaves which became a symbol of their fight for freedom.