Cape Verde Islands
New Villas and Apartments
on Sal, Cape Verde
With Direct Flights on Thursdays
from Gatwick from 2/11/06.
One Bed apartments from 295 per week.
Two Bed apartments from 395 per week.
Villas from 595 per week.
Click
to book now.
The BBC Holiday programme, in November 2005, identified Cape Verde as “the next potential holiday hotspot”. At a time when people are jetting further and further away to find a unique new destination, it’s no wonder that the 965 kms of bleached white beaches, just over five hours away, have put Cape Verde at the top of every ones “must visit” list. New infrastructure and a government committed to tourism are just two of the reasons why Cape Verde is 'THE' holiday destination of the future.
Cape Verde Information
The Cape Verde islands form two main groups. The northern is the Barlavento or windward islands.
SAL
| Santa Maria |
Hotel Morabeza |
One of the most popular tourist islands and home to the salt pits after which the island is named. These supplied most of the Portugese empire. For surfers and divers, this is paradise and the prestigious Trilogy windsurfing competition is held in Punta Preta in the south Caves. Tunnels and reefs ensure that divers get plenty to explore.Cycling and hiking are also popular here, taking the main road from Santa Maria in the south to Espargos in the north, as a good starting point.
BOAVISTA
The name means ?good view? and there?s plenty of those around this island. Dominated by sand dunes, the sea is shallow and surrounded by 55 kms of fine beaches including the 16 km Santa Monica beach. Sailing, diving, surfing and fishing are good here and kayaking has become very popular.The island capital is Sal Rei, a quaint port. Chave beach is worth visiting for the craft centre, specializing in ceramics.
SAO VICENTE
Party island with the capital and port, Mindelo, the focal point. Life revolves around the town square and the labyrinth of streets leading off it. Ash Wednesday marks the biggest carnival on Cape Verde or you could try the Baia das Grata music event in August that lasts for 3 days and nights. Several local singers have gone on to achieve international fame, Cesaria Evora being the most famous.San Pedro beach is great for bathers and surfers and the Monte Verde peak at 774 metres provides superb views. There is a strong British legacy here, the island is even known for it?s cricket team.
SANTA ANTAO
One of the greenest of the islands but with no real beach. The scenery is the star and that coupled with the rugged coastline makes it a magnet for walkers and hikers. A huge mountain range divides the island in 2 and there are stark contrasts between forested hills and old overgrown volcanic craters.Ponto do Sol is the capital and home to the small airport and Ribeira Grande is a popular base for explorers. Janela is famed for a huge rock covered in fifteenth century inscriptions. Do your exploring before tasting the Grogue rum on it?s island of origin, it packs quite a punch!
SAO NICOLAU
A quiet religious island with dramatic steep rocky peaks and black beaches reflecting it?s volcanic origins. Mount Gordo is the highest on Cape verde at 1,304 metres.For years the island lay empty until discovery in 1461 but it took another 300 years before the first settlement, Porto de Lapa was built on the coast. Pirates took a liking to the island forcing settlers inland to Ribeira Brava to live. A new port was established at Preguica in the bay of Sao Jorge and a fortress, built in 1818, helped to repel the pirates.
SANTA LUIZA
This is an uninhabited island at present. The southern is the Sotavento or leeward islands.
SANTIAGO
The African influence is strong here, particularly in Praia, the Cape Verde capital, with a bustling maze of streets full of bars and restaurants. Music provides the vibrant beat for the nightlife, which includes eight clubs and a cultural centre where local artists perform.The heart of the island is like a rain forest with a wide selection of plants and trees and even wild monkeys in some quiet areas. Ten miles from Praia is Ciadade Velhe, an old historical city worth exploring. St Filipe fortress watches over narrow cobbled streets and the old cathedral is a good stop off point. The port used to be used by europes slave trade and in the museum of marine archaeology, you can see spoils from many ship wrecks.Tarrafal is on a hill looking over a lush valley and has one of the best beaches on any of the islands. This is also the home to the former colonial prison.
FOGO
The volcanic peak of Pico de Fogo is one of the most distinctive landmarks in Cape Verde. A small eruption happened in 1995 but the village of Chas das Caldeiras dwells in the crater and includes a vineyard and a French restaurant. If you are feeling active yourself, set aside a day to climb up the peak and into the crater. Hiring a horse is probably a better way to enjoy this journey, the views from 3,000 metres and the rare species of birds are a good reward for your efforts.The capital, Sao Filipe, is built on a cliff and boasts old colonial architecture. Also worth sampling are the local coffee, wine and grapes, you can bathe in the natural pool at Salina de Sao Jorge.
MAIO
A quieter and more isolated island and very flat. The white sand beaches are virtually deserted apart from sea turtles that lay their eggs there. Only 6,000 people live on this island but you will find them friendly once you slow to their pace of life.The capital, Vila de Maio is just a small town but has a traditional church and 3 miles away, Morro is a real outpost of serenity. The scenery is impressive and hiring a vehicle will help you to appreciate it fully.
BRAVA
The smallest island tends to get most of what little rainfall there is in Cape Verde and it?s slightly humid climate and abundant greenery has earned it the label ?island of the flowers?. Look out for lots of bouganvilla, jasmine, lobelia and hibiscus.Fishing and agriculture are mainstays of the island and the landscape varies from high peaks to deep valleys. A series of small bays feature along the coast such as Furna, Anciao, Faja d?Agua and Sorno.
