Monday, September 29, 2014

Cape Verde: the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation

Disclosure: This is a guest post brought to you by First Choice.

If you’re looking for a holiday destination that has plenty to offer all the family, Cape Verde could be it. This archipelago of volcanic islands located over 300 miles off the coast of Senegal boasts the ideal combination of relaxation and adventure. The islands are characterized by an intoxicating mixture of West African and Portuguese cultures and, though small, they contain an impressive variety of landscapes.


Whether you want to soak up the sun on a beach, get stuck into water sports or trek through lush forests, Cape Verde is the place to go, with something for all ages. Also, the destination benefits from an array of family resorts complete with pools. With top holiday makers like First Choice, flying out to Cape Verde throughout the year, here’s a quick rundown on what to expect.

Plenty to see and do

In total, Cape Verde comprises ten islands and at the east of the archipelago lies Boa Vista. Translated as ‘Beautiful View’, it is renowned for its stunning coastline. Encircled by white-sand beaches that have a distinctly tropical look and feel, this is a great location to de-stress.

Santo Antão is also well worth checking out. Punctuated by gorges and mountains, it offers some of the best hiking in West Africa. While the south of the island is arid, the north-east is home to pine forests and a plethora of plants. To make the most out of trips to Santo Antão, try to set aside a few days to explore the undulating terrain on foot.


The driest of the islands is Sal and, handily, this is served by a large international airport. The gentle and warm sea than laps this part of Cape Verde makes it the perfect place for wind and kite-surfing, scuba diving and general paddling.

Practical information

There are plenty of hotels to choose from on the archipelago, but for the best experiences, make sure you select accommodation that includes good facilities and services for family groups. Bear in mind that many hotels now offer kids’ clubs.

While the destination is pleasant year-round, it’s worth noting that the rainy season runs from mid-August to mid-October, and between December and March, you may need to pack some sweaters for the evenings. But always remember to pack plenty of sun cream!

As long as you plan your trip carefully, you should enjoy a fantastic break that will leave you and your family with memories to last a lifetime.

Images by Niall62 and IDS.photos, used under the Creative Commons license.
 

4 comments:

Janet W. said...

The scenery is beautiful! Makes me want to go on a vacation soon!

James Robert said...

If I could afford to, I'd be gone, looks like a great place to vacation

Heidi Reads... said...

What a gorgeous location! I'm adding it to my bucket list :)

Beth R said...

Oh that looks so beautiful! Oh what I would do to be there now. It is currently 2 degrees outside