Cape Verde Holidays

 Cape Verde (or the Republic of Cabo Verde, to give it its official name) is an archipelago country scattered in the Atlantic Ocean. A few hundred miles off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde is made up of  10 volcanic islands, split into the northern Barlavento Islands and the southern Sotavento Islands. Between them, they offer an impressively diverse bounty of beauty, from white-sand beaches to adventurous dunes, lunar-like landscapes, floaty saltpans, and verdant mountains.  
 
Cape Verde flies a little more under the radar than other beach holiday hotspots. But in a six-hour flight (and only a one-hour time difference, so no pesky jet lag), you can be somewhere that feels far-flung and decidedly exotic. In fact, Cape Verde is sometimes likened to a mini Galapagos. On a boat trip, you can spot dolphins, whales, and sharks in shallow waters. Time your visit right, and you’re even in with a shot of spotting loggerhead turtles. 
 
On Sal, one of the most popular islands, the beaches have clear cerulean water and pristine sand. You’d be forgiven for simply finding your favourite spot and staying put. But you don’t have to venture far to find yourself on a desert safari across red sands, navigating salt flats, or even floating weightlessly on the salt-dense Pedra de Lume. 
 
Whether you’re eyeing Cape Verde’s waves for surfing, the green valleys and verdant forested areas for hiking, or planning to do as little as possible on a perfect stretch of beach, there’s a version of Cape Verde for all types of adventures.