Treat yourself to seven nights at Sofitel So Mauritius, a five star luxury hotel on the island’s pristine southcoast. Discover the real Mauritius — peace, intimacy, a turquoise lagoon, forests rich in flora and fauna, and activities for honeymooners, couples,

Most couples may now cohabit before getting hitched, but the honeymoon is as important as it ever was. It's a time to focus on yourselves as a couple and there's nothing like bathing in that post-wedding fuzz and having an excuse to switch off all connections with the outside world.

Wedding magazines had me misty eyed with pictures of couples luxuriating in private plunge pools overlooking the ocean, showered with every luxury, from rose petals scattered on four-poster beds, to champagne on the terrace. It's little wonder that one third of couples now opt for honeymoon contributions as a wedding gift, rather than toasters, towels and photo frames.

Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) and China Southern Airlines (CSA) on Monday signed an agreement aimed at developing tourism.

The agreement signed in Port Louis will enable Mauritius to advertise itself through the Chinese carrier, while the latter will use Mauritius as a hub for its expansion in Africa.

"Our destination will be included in the company's campaigns on social networks and other campaigns that will be jointly conducted with China Southern Airlines in China. Next week, MTPA and CSA will be together in China, more precisely in Shenzhen, Chengdu and Hangzhou, for a roadshow aimed at creating visibility for Mauritius and attract more Chinese visitors to the country," MTPA director Karl Mootoosamy said.

"We want to expand our flights to the African market and the Indian Ocean region, and Mauritius will be the gateway," said Zhang Jianmin, CSA vice-chairman.