Réunion

Despite being 6000 miles from Europe and slap bang in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Réunion (or more properly Ile de la Réunion) is legally part of France, making it one of the last fully-fledged colonies on earth. Created by the lava flows of a vast underwater volcano, the island is a playground for French holidaymakers, who are lured here by the beaches, scuba diving, surfing, fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting and paragliding, and the chance to trek on the rugged trails through the Trois Cirques - three enormous calderas formed by the collapse of the Piton des Neiges volcano. Despite the island vibe and lush tropical scenery, ...

Despite being 6000 miles from Europe and slap bang in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Réunion (or more properly Ile de la Réunion) is legally part of France, making it one of the last fully-fledged colonies on earth. Created by the lava flows of a vast underwater volcano, the island is a playground for French holidaymakers, who are lured here by the beaches, scuba diving, surfing, fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting and paragliding, and the chance to trek on the rugged trails through the Trois Cirques - three enormous calderas formed by the collapse of the Piton des Neiges volcano. Despite the island vibe and lush tropical scenery, the atmosphere is unmistakably French - informal gites (holiday homes) are dotted around the countryside and brassieres and bistros line the streets of the handsome colonial capital, Saint-Denis. At the southern end of the island, La Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, rewarding visitors with spectacular lava flows every couple of years. However, early booking is essential to secure any kind of accommodation during the French holiday season.

About the Expert

Joe Bindloss has written more than 30 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, Time Out and other publishers, with a focus on Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and island nations.