Travel: Charismatic Cape Verde
Lying 600 miles southwest of the Canary Islands and around 300 miles from the Senegal coast, this archipelago of 10 volcanic islands has a climate, topography and mood completely unlike anywhere else in Africa...
TRAVEL SNAPSHOT
Direct flights from the UK mean the Atlantic islands of Cape Verde are easy to reach while unique landscapes, culture and carefree mood make it a holiday destination with a difference. Although linked to Africa by history and geography, European influences are obvious in its architecture and Portuguese language. Most visitors who come here stick to the main, and most developed, island of Sal, which is home to the largest concentration of tourist hotels.
INSIDER’S GUIDE
Millions of years old and fabled in antiquity as the ‘Islands of the Blessed’, Cape Verde is somewhere the sun never takes a day off. Temperatures do not fall below 25C though an almost constant breeze takes the edge off the heat. Visitors should remember to bring a sun hat and slather on the sun cream, you will need it! One of the main attractions in this mosquito-free environment is the laid back lifestyle, where ‘no stress’ is the local mantra. Water sports are big here, meaning plenty of opportunity to dive, wind surf or water ski and there are no shortage of water sport centres for beginners if you fancy having a go.
DON’T MISS
Strolling along the beach to the island’s main town, Santa Maria, awash with rainbow coloured cafés and bars which spring to life in the evenings with traditional Cape Verdean music. Street markets, shops and stalls sell locally carved wooden items, colourful pots created from local clay, woven baskets and T-shirts bearing the motto ‘No Stress’.
GETTING THERE:
TUI (tui.co.uk) offers all-inclusive packages to several resorts in Cape Verde with direct flights from Gatwick and Manchester. A seven-night all-inclusive package at the Robinson Club costs from £1,020pp departing from Gatwick, or prices for three nights from Manchester start at £623pp. Holiday Extras (holidayextras.com) offer meet and greet parking, airport lounge and other services at major UK airports.
STAYING THERE:
The recently opened 307-room Robinson Club (robinson.com) is an allinclusive beach resort a short drive from the main airport. Prices for a double room start at €108 (£92) and €180pppn. The resort boasts a buffet-style, plus a specialty restaurant in the form of a Tapas Bar, should guests want to indulge in something a little more special. The club has a gym, sauna, fitness centre, spa, two swimming pools and a water sport station. More on Cape Verde at capeverde.co.uk/guide
FOOD AND DRINK
Food in Cape Verde is an exotic mixture of African, Brazilian and Portuguese, resulting in ambrosial, zesty offerings. Local specialities include charcoalgrilled swordfish and ‘pastel con diablo’ (pastry with the devil inside), a mix of tuna, onions and tomatoes in light pastry. National drinks include sugar cane rum and San Antao, a drink made from coffee, cinnamon, fig leaf, peppermint, orange or lime. Tread carefully, the locally produced grogue has a kick!
Santa Maria is awash with rainbow-coloured cafés and bars which spring to life in the evening