OK! TRAVEL
CAPE VERDE
WHY GO THERE?
Dubbed the African Caribbean due to its sun-kissed beaches and rainbow-painted towns, it can’t be long before this undiscovered gem of a destination goes mainstream. If you’re looking for winter sun but don’t want to travel too far then Cape Verde, around a six-hour flight away, is the place to visit with its year-round warmth (currently it’s around 26ºc). Lying about 350 miles off the west coast of Africa, the most popular of this former Portuguese colony’s ten volcanic islands is Sal. OK! was told the island’s motto was ‘no stress’ and after just a few days there we had definitely switched into relaxed mode…
MUST DO ACTIVITIES?
With its striking moon-like landscape, Sal is home to many natural wonders such as the Blue Eye natural volcanic rock pool in Buracona, the desert delights of Terra Boa and the Pedra de Lume salt lakes situated in the crater of an extinct volcano. No need to exert yourself with swimming as the salt keeps you buoyant so you can just can lie back and float!
Sal’s beaches are popular nesting spots for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle and the TUI Care Foundation has set up the Turtle Aid Programme with Cape Verde’s Project Biodiversity. OK! went to meet the team on Ponta Preta beach and saw baby turtles being released back in the sea, which was so unbelievably cute! Visitors can support the project by adopting a baby turtle and the team will let you know when they’ve released your adopted hatchlings into the sea.
WHERE CAN I STAY?
OK! stayed in a stunning beachfront suite at the five-star Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort set in beautiful manicured gardens, fluttering with butterflies. By day you can chill out on the beach, by the huge pool or have a pampering massage at the Eforea Spa. For the more active, there are a selection of water sports including diving, paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaking and kite surfing available at the hotel’s Atlantic Star Nautical Centre. Kite surfing is particularly popular as Sal has perfect weather conditions – in fact, several world champions hail from the island. Of the four hotel restaurants, the open-air Bounty Beach Bar was OK!’S favourite, as we loved the fresh seafood cooked on the charcoal grill and the Creole dishes. The family friendly 241-room hotel offers seven room categories as well as a babysitting service and kids’ club, where your little ones will be entertained with cooking lessons and cinema sessions.
WHERE CAN I DINE AND BE SEEN?
Cape Verde is a melting pot of different nationalities, mainly African, Portuguese and Brazilian, and this is reflected in its cuisine. You shouldn’t leave without trying the national dish cachupa, a delicious stew of spiced meat, vegetables, grains, beans and sweet potato.
It’s just a short walk from The Hilton to Santa Maria, a pretty pastelhued seaside town where the cobbled streets are lined with al fresco restaurants, craft and surf shops and a stunning eight-kilometre beach.
For hearty seafood with cool beach vibes head to Lobstar on Santa Maria Beach where OK! loved the delicious fresh seafood platter. We also enjoyed sundowners at Olá Brasil, a small beach bar, followed by dinner at Americos restaurant – grilled fish and a delicious Pudim de Queijo, a sweet dessert made with goat’s cheese and papaya jam. We ended the evening at Buddy Bar, a local evening hotspot with a buzzy atmosphere and live music.