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 Cape Verde Islands...
Newsletter main menu - 0845 003 2211 or 01543 258631
The Cape Verde Islands - bringing tropical islands a little
closer...
The archipelago of Cape Verde presents the nearest tropical islands to the UK.
Climatically they are a marine extension of the Sahara, and benefit from a dry,
moderate climate throughout the year with generally very little rainfall
although it can vary according to the island and altitude. At the coast it rains
on average only 22 days a year in contrast to nearly 3000 hours of sunshine
(average 8 hours per day). There is a pleasant, almost permanent breeze. It can
rain more often in the green and mountainous islands.
Cape Verde is a cocktail of what you may find in other
destinations. The magnificent beaches often with lush interiors and the Creole
people are reminiscent of the Seychelles. Islands such as Sal and Sao Vicente
have a barren landscape and climate similar to the Canary Islands of Lanzarote
and Fuerteventura. In the verdant highlands of Santiago and Santo Antao you
could quite easily be in Kenya’s Rift Valley. Some of the coastal areas and
fishing villages recall The Gambia. The awesome volcanic island of Fogo rises
from the sea like Stromboli. The overall impression is of a fascinating and
unspoiled holiday destination with each island different to its neighbour.
Although tourism to the islands is developing, it remains in
its infancy and many aspects are unsophisticated compared to more established
and well-known resorts. Cape Verde will appeal to those wishing to experience a
vibrant way of life, fascinating people, fabulous beaches, sunshine, some island
hopping and a sense of adventure.
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Boa Vista offers two magnificent beaches (Chaves
15km and Santa Monica 5km) of powder white sand. It
is the nearest island to the African coast and has a
desert interior of high sand dunes. The main town of
Sal Rei is a sleepy place which can come alive at
dusk. It has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere and
tends to be many people’s favourite island. There
are some good watersports, jeep safaris, quad bikes
for hire and horseriding. |
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Cape Verde
Island Hopping Itineraries,
Cape Verde |
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The 10 islands of Cape Verde are distinctly
different to each other. Whilst many people will be
content just to enjoy the superb beaches of Boa
Vista and Sal others will find a most rewarding
experience in visiting three or more islands. |
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Sal is the most popular island and is home to most
of the international hotels as well as the main
airport. It is a relatively flat island which has
become popular due to its superb white sand beaches.
The main town is Santa Maria, where there are
restaurants and bars, frequent music and impromptu
dancing. There are some pretty pastel-shaded houses
and a few shops. It is a haven for sun lovers and
beachcombers with a good selection of professionally
run watersports, the availability of which can
depend upon ocean conditions. There are at least two
PADI dive schools.
There is a beachside promenade from the main hotel
area to the town. |
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This is the largest island and includes the capital
of the republic, Praia, which is a distinctly
African town, vibrant and pulsating with a thriving
market. Like Sal it has an international airport and
a few hotels. A stay on Santiago offers more variety
than other islands, and most people will enjoy the
excursions around the island and into the
mountainous and agricultural hinterland. The coast
is rugged with a few sandy coves and a visit to the
northern fishing village of Tarrafal is popular |
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interesting island with a distinctly European
flavour which has attracted the bohemian set with
musicians, intellectuals and artists mingling with
the tourists. There are some good beaches,
particularly attractive to windsurfers, with San
Pedro reckoned to be one of the world’s finest for
speed windsurfing. Mindelo, the main town, is
relatively lively. It has the distinguished air of
the Portuguese and Brazilian provinces, yet it was
for a long time occupied by the British |
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Please call us on 0845 003 2211 or 01543
258631 to book your holiday to the Cape Verde Islands.
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