Good escapes
After a difficult six months of treatment for breast cancer, TV presenter Julia Bradbury and her family spent more than two weeks in Mauritius, where they learned how to relax, slow down and enjoy the moment
‘M ummy, mummy, come and play in the sea!’ I lay on the warm, white sand, eyes closed as the eager voices of my children – Zephyr, 10, and twins Zena and Xanthe, seven – floated towards me on a gentle breeze. At peace on the beautiful shores of Bel Ombre in the Savanne District of Mauritius, it would have been so easy to say no, to tell my little girls and their brother that Mummy was relaxing, taking some much-needed time to rest. But this holiday felt different.
‘Coming!’ I grinned, running towards the turquoise waters of the lagoon. Six months after my breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent mastectomy, I feel more present, more appreciative for what I have than ever before. When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, all sorts of terrifying thoughts consume you, including mainly, ‘Am I going to die?’ The treatment is brutal and painful, and the emotional impact huge. So as soon as we had the chance to travel again, my partner, Gerry, and I decided that the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius would be the perfect place to heal as a family. I’d been there before to film, but never to relax, and I loved the idea of immersing myself in nature and, of course, sunshine.
It was our first holiday after both the pandemic and my diagnosis, so I was a lot more cautious than usual even though my doctor had approved the trip. My cancer treatment had finished and the scar from my breast implant was healing well. And while I knew that a dose of vitamin D would do wonders, I made sure myself and the children were slathered in chemical-free sun cream every day; since my cancer, I’m more conscious than ever of the need to protect our skin.
Arriving at the gorgeous Heritage Awali Golf and Spa Resort in Bel Ombre in the south of the island, I had to pinch myself. It was more than five star – it was breathtaking. The thatched roofs of the buildings were nestled among verdant green palm trees and the shimmering sea was just a few steps away. We spent 10 glorious nights here in the height of luxury and seven nights at its sister hotel, the Heritage Le Telfair, which is next door.
Rooms in both hotels are modern and comfortable but the style of each is quite different – the Heritage Awali is more traditional and inspired by the resort’s African heritage, while the Heritage Le Telfair is like a chic French village with lots of small, white plantation-style buildings. Each resort has a gym, spa, pools, golf course and there are 12 restaurants between them, from
