Snaking into the hazy horizon, a hulking concrete-and-steel structure coils around Réunion’s north shore. Thrust skyward on enormous girders rising from this Indian Ocean island, which lies between Mauritius and Madagascar’s east coast, we’re cruising along the Nouvelle Route du Littoral — an ambitious 7.5-mile highway, built metres from the craggy coastline of steep cliffs that is ordinarily too dangerous to skirt far below.
Due to be completed by the end of this year, the new €2bn (£1.7bn) EU-supported project will link the cities of Saint-Pierre in the south and Saint-Denis in the north, via the airport and popular resort base Saint-Paul, and is estimated to be among the most expensive roads in the world.
Technically, I’m still in France. Connected to Paris by the country’s longest domestic flight, the overseas department of Réunion is a curious mix of the familiar in a setting that’s just like its tropical island neighbours. Carved by a multitude of tectonic rumblings and volcanic activity, vast craters gape across its rainforested heart. Steep slopes soar and lava fields tumble so close to the ocean that they’re sometimes kissed by the surf. Meanwhile, the island’s cafes serve crisp baguettes, buttery croissants and bottles of Bordeaux — all of which are payable in euros — and smooth, well-graded roads are signposted in French.
One popular cultural pastime Réunion didn’t naturally inherit from its French motherland, however, is cycling. But that’s all set to change now exploration on two wheels has started to take off.
“We’ve been hiring bikes and running trips for some time, but now the sport is becoming increasingly popular with travellers,” says Gildas Le Pessec of mountain biking specialists Rando Réunion Passion.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Indian Ocean 2023-Ausgabe von National Geographic Traveller (UK).
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Indian Ocean 2023-Ausgabe von National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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Dianne Whelan
THOUGH NOT A SEASONED HIKER TO BEGIN WITH, THE FILMMAKER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO COMPLETE THE WORLD'S LONGEST TRAIL NETWORK
NIGERIA
The country's many communities come together over hearty meals with plenty of heat
Katie Hale
A VOYAGE TO THE GREAT WHITE CONTINENT IS BOTH A DREAM COME TRUE AND A CALL TO ARMS, TO PROTECT OUR ICY POLES AND, IN TURN, OUR PLANET
WILTSHIRE
BEYOND THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE HAS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE ANCIENT SITES, GIANT CHALK HORSES AND COSY PUBS IN HISTORIC VILLAGES
BATH
Thermal baths and Regency heritage have put this Somerset city firmly on the travel map - and this year the spotlight will be on former resident and literary great Jane Austen, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth
GRANADA
In this Andalucian city, flamenco is an art form as well as a way of life not just for traditional dancers and singers but also for hip-hop stars, classical guitar legends and street artists
India's Golden Triangle
LINKING DELHI, THE TAJ MAHAL AND THE PINK CITY OF JAIPUR, WITH DETOURS FOR TEMPLES AND TIGERS, THIS IS THE PERFECT ROUTE FOR FIRST-TIMERS. WORDS: POOJA NAIK
FORGED BY FIRE
A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC, MADEIRA HAS RUGGED VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS THAT RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS DOWN AT SEA LEVEL AND MORE THAN 1,900 MILES OF HISTORIC AQUEDUCTS TRACING THE LANDSCAPES IN BETWEEN
ADRIFT IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
A KAYAKING EXPEDITION THROUGH NORWAY'S LOFOTEN ISLANDS OFFERS WHITE-SAND BEACHES, ROYAL ENCOUNTERS AND THE CHANCE TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER VIKING
the RETURN
ON A PRIVATE GAME RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA'S KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, AN UNLIKELY CREATURE IS MAKING A TENTATIVE COMEBACK - AND VISITORS ARE OFFERED A GLIMPSE INTO THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE IT AND OTHER NATIVE WILDLIFE
