Lifestyle Mirror

For our monthly check-in with travel expert Tom Marchant, co-founder of London-based online travel outfitter Black Tomato, Marchant takes Lifestyle Mirror off the grid to Réunion Island, which is southwest of Mauritius and smackdab in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Marchant expertly suggests combining more adventurous volcano hikes with paragliding to take in the natural beauty before relaxing on a stretch of beach. Marchant and his ace team are big on experiencing a destination by pushing your personal boundaries, and their site is chockfull of tailored experiences to prove it. Check this space regularly for more of Marchant’s picks for where you should be heading this summer and Lifestyle Mirror’s take on what should be in your bag once you get there. —Nandita Khanna

THE LOCATION Réunion Island. THE VIBE A luxe beach holiday with a twist of adventure. IT'S THE NEXT Bali. WHERE TO STAY Check into the Palm Hôtel and Spa and request one of the three stand-alone lodges. Each one is nestled in the undergrowth and has its own private entrance, oversized bathtubs, and separate living room. WHERE THE LOCALS EAT Easily mistaken for a French provincial town with its boutiques and brasseries, Saint Denis is where you can wander the palm tree-lined boulevards tasting local delicacies. WHAT NOT TO CHICKEN OUT ON A paragliding trip is a must. You soar over the island beneath a paraglider. All you do is sit back and take in the natural beauty. Your guide will do all the work. TOM'S TIP Hike your way up the Piton de la Fournaise in the southeast of Réunion—one of the world’s most active volcanoes. If you do it at sunrise, you’ll get a full glimpse of the volcano.