Reunion, famous for one of our planet's most active volcano's - Piton de la Fournaise. This monster blew its top twice in 1998, the March eruption attracting no less than 20 000 awe-inspired spectators. In 2001 the volcano erupted again and most recently an eruption began in August 2006 and ended in January 2007 and again in February 2007, and most recently on 2 April 2007. Seeing the volcano - whether there is activity or not - is a primal experience. Reunion also has the highest mountain in the Indian Ocean, Piton des Neiges (3069m). Nature enthusiasts are invariably enthralled by Reunion's beautiful forests. Bebour-Belouve forest in particular, is a must see. No visit to Reunion would be complete without exploring at least one of the three vast and rugged "Cirques", as the natural amphitheatres of Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate are called.

In Cilaos, you can sample excellent locally made wines, embark on challenging hikes and then recharge your batteries in the world-renowned Irene Accot Thermal Center. Needless to say, the scenery is breathtaking.

Salazie - which is arguably more beautiful than Cilaos - merits at least a night's stay. This cirque features 100 waterfalls, which plummet down steep gorges like giant silvery ribbons. The little mountain town of Hell-Bourg will leave you enchanted, with its quaint Creole houses, colourful flower gardens and dreamy ambience.

The third amphitheatre, Cirque de Mafate, is for adventurous visitors only. Because no roads traverse Mafate, one must get there on foot. But accommodation is plentiful, in the form of mountain houses. After having experienced the interior, most visitors head for the warm west coast, for a welcome rest on the Saint Gilles Les Bains Beach, where you can arrange a wide choice of water sports. For the night owls razzle the night away at one of the trendy nightclubs. Surfers and keen scuba divers tend to base themselves at bit further south, in Saint Leu, a regular venue for international surfing competitions. On the subject of sports, Reunion is a superb destination for those into paragliding, canyoning (abseiling waterfalls), horse riding, hiking and mountain biking. The well-developed infrastructure means anything is easily arranged. The best way to get around is by means of hired car. That way, you can visit many secluded and beautiful places. Gems like Anse des Cascades on the wild, sparsely inhabited East coast. Or the spectacular lava flows further south, near Tremblet. It is generally assumed that Reunion is a pricey destination. But there are many ways of saving on costs: all over the island are supermarkets (Score, Champion, etc) where prices and quality of food are on a par with the best supermarkets in South African, Europe or the USA. There are numerous small restaurants and snack bars, where mouth-watering Creole and Continental meals are not expensive. And accommodation is not restricted to hotels: there is a wide range of B&B's and mountain houses, most of which are very reasonably priced.

• Piton de la Fournaise (Peak of the Furnace) the active Volcano:
  Viewing the lunar landscape of this grumbling monster - one of our planet's most active volcanoes - by means of helicopter or from ground level, is a primal experience no visitor should miss out on. It is possible to hike into the volcano using a good path system from Pas de Bellecombe, where you can leave your hired car. Visitors should also check the recent lava flows, which come down to the east coast near the tiny settlement Tremblet.

• Saint Gilles Les Bains: Reunion's seaside resort, where you?ll find an array of hotels, lively restaurants and bars, and the island's prettiest white sand beach, Boucan Canot.

• Saint Leu: Further down the west coast is Saint Leu, which is a surfers paradise. The west coast towns are renowned for their nightlife.

• The Cirques: The three natural amphitheatres: Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate converge at the island's highest peak (the 3069 meter Piton des Neiges, also the highest mountain in the Indian Ocean). Cirque de Mafate - which is only accessible on foot - features wild, verdant scenery and an extensive system of trails. Accommodation is in small mountain houses or 'gites'. Cirque de Cilaos, which is drier than Mafate, is known for its thermal springs and local winemaking industry. Spoil yourself and visit the Irene Acott health spa at Cilaos. The road from the coast up to Cilaos is wonderful (though challenging) for mountain-bikers. At Hell-Bourg in the lush, verdant and tropical Cirque de Salazie you'll find Reunion's most famed mountain retreat, Relais des Cimes, run by the author of an internationally acclaimed Creole recipe book (Mammy Javel). Salazie is also praised for its exquisite scenery, featuring 100 waterfalls, which adorn the steep cliffs like giant silver ribbons.

• Bebour-Belouve Forest and La Plaine des Palmistes: La Plaine-des- Palmistes is one of the island's most beautiful towns. In spring and summer it features an explosion of colourful flowers, which seem to be everywhere.

• The Wild South: Misty perfumes, colours and fragrances define the spiritual wild south. In between sea and mountain lie Petite Ile, Saint Joseph and Saint Philippe. Visit Caheb perfume workshop and learn how perfumes are created. Do not miss the Perfumes and Spice Garden in Saint Philippe offering an exotic variety of plants.

• Health: Reunion is malaria free. Water is safe for drinking and no immunisations are needed.

• Currency: The Euro. Credit cards to use are Visa and MasterCard. Travellers Cheques, Diners and American Express are not widely accepted. Cash is the preferred means of payment.  
  

• Getting there: Air Austral flies to and from Reunion once (sometimes twice) a week. Flight duration is 4 hours. Daily flights to and from Mauritius and connections to Madagascar.

• Time zone: GMT + 4 hours

• When to Go: All months except end January to beginning of March when cyclones occur. Climate is hot along the coast, dry at the west coast and humid at the east coast. In the mountains, the climate is temperate with cool to very cold nights.

• Luggage Allowance: 20 kg.

• Customs Allowance: 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine.

• Power Supply: 220 V; European-type 2-prong plugs.

• Visas: EU, British and American passport holders do not require visas. South African passport holders will require a Schengen Visa (Speak to your travel agent and allow enough time).

• Read On: Guide to the Mascarenes' (Royston Ellis and Derek Schuurman, Bradt)