Grand Reunion: Volcano, Cirques, Coast & Culture

Today you explore the west coast and the charming capital of Saint-Denis. You relax on the turquoise lagoon beaches of Saint-Gilles and L'Hermitage, swimming and snorkelling the marine reserve, and explore the charming Creole capital of Saint-Denis, with its elegant colonial mansions, lively market, and multicultural heritage. You might visit the Kelonia turtle centre or Saint-Leu. The lagoons and culture are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, savour Creole cuisine and a beautiful sunset. Rest well, for tomorrow you descend into the spectacular cirque of Cilaos.

Today you journey to the spectacular cirque of Cilaos by its dramatic mountain road. You travel up the famous, winding road to Cilaos, with over 400 bends climbing into the mountains with breathtaking views, arriving in the charming Creole village set in a vast amphitheatre ringed by jagged peaks, including Piton des Neiges. You explore the village, with its thermal springs, famous lentils and wine, and take in breathtaking viewpoints over the spectacular cirque. The dramatic road and cirque are spectacular. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation in Cilaos. This evening, savour Creole mountain cuisine. Rest well amid the beauty of the cirque, ready to explore Cilaos tomorrow.

Today you explore the spectacular cirque of Cilaos. You take a scenic hike amid the dramatic mountain scenery, to breathtaking viewpoints such as the Roche Merveilleuse, or along beautiful trails through forests and past waterfalls, taking in the spectacular jagged peaks. You explore the charming village and its Creole culture, thermal springs and wine, and, for the adventurous, might try canyoning. The scenery is spectacular. As the day ends, you return to your accommodation in Cilaos. This evening, savour Creole mountain cuisine and the cool air. Rest well amid the beauty of the cirque, for tomorrow you journey to the active volcano.

Today you journey to the dramatic volcano region. You travel from Cilaos towards the high plains and the volcano, taking in the dramatic changing scenery, from lush forests to the high, otherworldly plains. You arrive in the volcano region, and might visit the excellent Maison du Volcan to learn about Piton de la Fournaise, and take in the dramatic, high-altitude landscapes. The changing scenery is dramatic. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation in the volcano region, high in the mountains. This evening, savour Creole cuisine and the cool mountain air. Rest well amid the dramatic scenery, ready to explore the active volcano tomorrow.

Today you explore the active Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active volcanoes. You drive up the dramatic road across the otherworldly Plaine des Sables, a Mars-like landscape, to Pas de Bellecombe on the caldera rim, gazing over the immense crater and smoking volcano. You walk across the otherworldly lava fields and, conditions and rules allowing, hike into the enclos towards the crater, an awe-inspiring, primal experience, and might explore a lava tube. The drama and scale are overwhelming. As the day ends, you return to your accommodation. This evening, savour Creole cuisine, reflecting on the awesome volcano. Rest well amid the dramatic scenery, for tomorrow you journey to the lush cirque of Salazie.

Today you journey to the lush cirque of Salazie and the heritage village of Hell-Bourg. You travel to Salazie, the greenest of the three cirques, a lush amphitheatre of waterfalls, forests and Creole villages, taking in the spectacular waterfalls cascading down the cirque walls, including the beautiful Voile de la Mariee. You discover Hell-Bourg, listed among the most beautiful villages in France, with its charming Creole houses, gardens and heritage. The lush cirque and heritage village are beautiful. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation in or near Salazie. This evening, savour Creole cuisine. Rest well amid the lush mountains, ready to explore Salazie and the east tomorrow.

Today you explore Salazie and the scenic east coast. You explore more of the lush cirque of Salazie, its waterfalls, forests and Hell-Bourg's Creole heritage, then journey down to the scenic east coast, visiting a vanilla plantation to learn about the famous Bourbon vanilla, taking in dramatic waterfalls, and exploring Creole and Tamil villages with their colourful temples. The lush cirque, vanilla and coast are beautiful. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation on the east coast or return towards the west. This evening, savour Creole cuisine, perhaps with vanilla-infused dishes. Rest well amid the lush scenery, ready for a final day in beautiful Reunion.

Today you enjoy a final day in spectacular Reunion. You might relax on the turquoise lagoon beaches of the west coast, snorkelling the marine reserve, explore more of the island's Creole culture, markets and cuisine, take a whale-watching or dolphin trip (in season), or savour a final scenic drive or viewpoint. You savour the dramatic beauty and warm culture of the island. It is a lovely finale to your grand journey. As the sun sets over the ocean, you savour the glorious colours. This evening, enjoy a final dinner, savouring the delicious Creole and French cuisine and warm culture of Reunion, reflecting on the full beauty of the island you have experienced. Rest well ahead of your departure, the volcano, cirques, coast and culture of Reunion vivid in your memory.

After a final morning in beautiful Reunion, perhaps a last swim in the lagoon or a final viewpoint, you journey to Roland Garros Airport near Saint-Denis for your onward international departure. You leave having experienced Reunion in full, the west-coast lagoons and Saint-Denis, the spectacular cirque of Cilaos, the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano, the heritage village of Hell-Bourg and lush Salazie, and the scenic east coast, all wrapped in delicious Creole cuisine and warm culture. The images stay vivid long after you land, the turquoise lagoons, the smoking volcano and lava fields, the spectacular cirques and jagged peaks, the cascading waterfalls, and the charming Creole villages. Reunion offers an active volcano, spectacular cirques, waterfalls, coast and culture in abundance, and having experienced it in full, you depart with the definitive experience of this spectacular island, already dreaming of a return.