Our Holidays
Year-round sunshine, tropical beaches, beautiful vistas, and an African vibe that’s too good to miss — what are you waiting for?
A gentle breeze sighs with contentment as you lift your face to the sunshine, slide off your shoes and wiggle your toes into ice-cream soft sand.
Gazing out at the ocean, you let all your cares drift away on the tide. Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it? If the autumn rain outside your window has you dreaming of sunny skies and soft, sandy beaches, then come with us now as we explore a place where you can relax on sun-kissed beaches, stroll along tropical turquoise shorelines and enjoy vibrant culture — all year round!
Cape Verde is a cluster of 10 volcanic islands set in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of west Africa. These little drops of paradise are packed with gorgeous beaches and offer plenty of adventure — and they are just a six-hour flight from the UK. With African, Brazilian and Portuguese influences — seen in the islands’ music, fashion and food — Cape Verde is a wonderful destination if you fancy something a little bit out of the ordinary. And it’s great value for money too.
Stay on one island or go island hopping — there’s something for everyone whether you’re a couple, a family group or a solo holidaymaker. The most popular island is Sal, known for its striking desert landscapes, diving and, of course, great beaches. The pick of the bunch is the stunning 8km white sandy beach at Santa Maria. With its white sand, picture-perfect pier and backdrop of brightly-coloured buildings it’s reminiscent of the Caribbean. You’ll want to hit the sunloungers here, but relaxing is second to watersports in the pecking order. Surf shops pile up behind the sands on nearby Kite Beach, where kite surfers cartwheel over the waves. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not give it a go yourself? Surf Zone Cabo Verde offers beginners’ lessons starting at around 40 euros.
If you time your trip right, and get there before the end of October, you can see one of nature’s most wonderful sights. At Riu Funana beach endangered loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, so look out for the babies. Because of its small size, Sal is easy to explore. Zoom around on quad bikes and marvel at desert mirages, wade out to see lemon sharks in Parda Bay, or float in a salt lake. Head to the town of Pedra Lume which has a volcanic crater filled with warm sea water where you can relax. It’s said to be saltier than the Dead Sea — and impossible to sink! We also love the Viveiro Botanical Gardens, a lush oasis of palms and flowers, with a tiny farm housing goats, rabbits and donkeys — perfect for the little ones to enjoy. As th
