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Recreational travel, in all likelihood, is one of the furthest things from our minds right now. Our wanderlust has been essentially exterminated by the threat of not only COVID-19, but also by an increasing fear of unknown places, our growing economic insecurity, dwindling bank accounts, and general uncertainty about what the future holds for society as a whole.  

Getting on an enclosed airplane, smashed into tiny spaces and thrust into endless lines between strangers was never something we looked forward to to begin with, and staying in a foreign hotel or unsecure rented location - far away from loved ones and places we know - has almost completely lost its appeal (except for maybe those of you who have been quarantined with your whole family for these past six weeks?)  

But in all seriousness, has any form of travel gained appeal?  Perhaps road trips.  Meadows to run through without another person in sight.  Long, windy trails with nobody on them.  A vast country retreat from our childhood, with wide open private spaces, and the familiar smells and sounds of a safer, simpler, time in our life.  For me that place is Kiawah Island. Oh, to be back at that little 3 bedroom cottage on stilts that my parents used to take us to 

(back when they were still together) - eating ripe tomatoes like apples (you either understand it or you don’t) and running back and forth to the ocean waves without a care in the world. 

What I remember most about the island is the smell.  It’ll often trigger a wave of nostalgia for me if I get just the right whiff of warm salty air, mixed with the scent of pine needles and a tinge of sweetness from flowering tropical plants.  After long days in the sun, we’d barbecue on the back deck in the evenings and almost always go for a long bicycle ride afterward on the island’s miles and miles of rambling trails. I’d always hope we’d get caught in a thunderstorm and we often did.  The rain would come down so hard and felt so cold and wonderful against my sunburned skin, the giant water droplets would nearly block my eyesight altogether and it always made me laugh out loud (inevitably drinking the rainwater) as we’d blindly try to find our way back through the puddles to the safety of our cottage. We’d eat ice cream and now discontinued varieties of Little Debbie Snack Cakes (remember those?) and played games all night long.

While Kiawah Island is an incredibly pristine and beautiful place, it’s just a place. My emotional connection to it exists because of the happy memories that were carved there. Is that what travel really means to us, perhaps? Do we crave a connection with something new and different when yearning for a new adventure? And now, given the circumstances, we are more likely to covet a safe and familiar place that reminds us of our old life.  However long this "new life" lasts, our spirits are resilient and I'm certain our wanderlust will return.  Meanwhile, a road trip down memory lane to Kiawah sounds like a dream. 

Known for it's exquisite and unique volcanic landscape, lush green forests of sugar cane, and rich cultural history, the far flung Mauritius is an island destination like no other.  Located 700 miles off the coast of Madagascar, this island is one of those true off-the-charts getaways most of us can only dream about.

Grand Bay, probably it's most famous tourist destination, is located on the north of the island and offers access via waterways to many offshore islands, perfect for the nautical explorer.  Additionally, the north is home to an incredible botanical garden which boasts more than 650 varieties of plant life including the famous Baobabs, the Bottle Palm and the one of a kind Giant Water Lilies.  There's also a plethora of stunning resorts to choose from, each possessing your classic white sand private beaches and calm, crystal clear waters for sunbathing and snorkeling. 

The breezy east of the island has built a reputation for great water sports, particularly kitesurfing.  Whether you are an adventuresome pro, or are just looking to try it out, Mauritius is the place to be.  In more recent years, the quieter east side has begun to develop a refined, glamorous quality exhibited in flourishing resorts such as the Belle Mare. 

Perhaps the most alluring for the true pioneer traveler, however, is the south coast of the island.  Savanne is by far the most rustic and wild part of Mauritius - with rougher seas, deserted coves, basalt sea cliffs, and of course the stunningly beautiful national park, Black River Gorges. The breathtaking mountainous wilderness scattered with evergreen ebony forest hosts 75 miles of winding hiking trails for the everyday explorer to take in the magical scenery as well as  encounter various unique species of birds, deer, macaques, and wild boar (originally introduced to the island for hunting).

As with any island paradise, one key thing to remember is that while resorts may offer the ultimate pampered and luxurious experience, it's always worth it to get off that lounge chair and venture deeper into what the destination is all about.  And Mauritius is guaranteed not to disappoint.