100% customisable travel idea
From Island to Island, on Island Time The Different Faces of Cape Verde
São Vicente - Santo Antão - Santiago - Boa Vista
100% customisable travel idea
São Vicente - Santo Antão - Santiago - Boa Vista
100% customisable for you
Flight to Lisbon, then to the island of São Vicente. You’ll have a private transfer to Mindelo and then check in for two nights in the heart of the archipelago’s cultural capital. Your guesthouse is both charming and expertly managed by Isabel, its owner. A little gem of tranquillity, calm and refinement. Guests appreciate the comfort of the rooms, the lovely décor steeped in Cape Verdean culture, and breakfast, best enjoyed in the peaceful setting of the inner terrace. At nightfall, we’ll head up to the rooftop terrace for a drink before setting out to explore the city, with its entertainment just a few steps away.
The hometown of the famous singer Cesária Évora, Mindelo is the cultural and musical capital of the island of São Vicente. Shaped by Portuguese and British influences, the city counts some beautiful 19th-century buildings among its treasures. Life moves at a relaxed pace here, lulled by the sea, lit by almost constant sunshine and enlivened by a blend of music that echoes on every street corner. Time stretches gently here, and that’s one of the city’s greatest treasures. Evening strolls along the seafront, facing the face-shaped mountain (Monte Cara) bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, remind travellers that Mindelo Bay is ranked among the most beautiful in the world. On the agenda: The city reveals its treasures during a walk with a guide, who will take you through the markets, along some hidden alleys in the historic centre, and into workshops that showcase Cape Verdean art. An opportunity, in particular, to meet a craftsperson who makes musical instruments.
Private transfer to the port of Mindelo and ferry crossing (approx. 1 hour) to the port city of Porto Novo on the island of Santo Antão.
On your itinerary - A day exploring Santo Antão with a guide. Santo Antão is one of Cabo Verde’s most beautiful gems, with unspoilt landscapes that have, for the most part, eluded the wave of modernity that is sweeping across the country. It is also one of the poorest islands in the archipelago, whose main industry remains agriculture. Its high mountains block the wind and clouds, creating a more humid, cooler climate that is conducive to farming. Enjoy the opportunity to spend the day exploring. Visit the large historic town in the north of the island that lies at the crossroads of two long and beautiful valleys - the Ribeira de Coculi and the Ribeira da Torre - around the Ribeira Grande. The Ribeira do Paúl, which is best explored on foot, is one of Cabo Verde’s most stunning landscapes: A proud and magnificent agricultural valley, fragranced with the scent of sugar cane and dotted with beautiful colonial houses and numerous trapiches, the distilleries where local rum is still made to this day.
At the end of the day, you’ll settle in for two nights in a pleasant, family-sized house with plenty of attractive features, such as bright rooms and a lush garden, located just a stone’s throw from the port.
Once you get past the initial impression of an arid and inhospitable land, the island reveals its imposing mountains and lush green valleys cut off from the rest of the world. Ponta do Sol is a charming fishing village whose small port at the foot of the village is an absolute must see. Every day, it boasts a lively spectacle as the fishermen return through a passage with a symbolic name: boca da pistola (the mouth of the gun).
Optional - A short, private hike from Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas.
Private transfer to the port and ferry crossing to Mindelo. Then another private transfer to the same accommodation as during your first stay on the island, where you’ll find the same familiar comforts for the night.
Private transfer to the airport and a short flight to Praia (45 mins) on Santiago Island. Another private transfer and a two-night stay facing the ocean in a large hotel with a modern design that is reminiscent of certain features of Portuguese architecture. Inside, the décor is elegant and refined, with wood and warm tones throughout. The modern comfort of the rooms is a real plus, as is the large seawater swimming pool.
To see and do - The historic centre of Praia, known as the Plateau, with its colonial buildings, the African market of Sucupira, Rua da Banana - the oldest colonial street in the world - and the Church of the Rosary, which welcomed both Columbus and Vasco da Gama…
Santiago is the island where the first city, Ribeira Grande - later renamed Cidade Velha - was established, and where both the first church and fortress were built. It is an island born from a blend of the first Portuguese settlers and the first slaves brought from the continent, where languages mixed to form Creole, and cultures merged to give rise to new musical rhythms and unique traditions inspired by the old.
On your itinerary - A private tour of Cidade Velha. Accompanied by a guide, this half-day tour is an opportunity to discover the city, its fort, the Church of the Rosary - which welcomed both Columbus and Vasco da Gama - and the oldest street in the colonial world, Rua da Banana (banana street).
Optional - A day trip around Santiago with a private guide.
Think you’ve seen everything Cabo Verde has to offer? Well, get ready to be amazed. This country is full of surprises - and islands! We first head to Boa Vista, halfway between the northern and southern islands of the archipelago. Then a private transfer to the airport and a short flight (45 mins) to Boa Vista. From there, another vehicle will round off the trip to your hotel for the next three nights. This attractive stone house is just a short walk from the beach and has a flower-filled patio where you can enjoy breakfast in peace, in the shade of a palm or banana tree. The perfect combination of comfort and charm.
Boa Vista, the third island in the archipelago, has a relatively flat terrain and barren, almost desert-like appearance, even though its vegetation is no less abundant than on its neighbour, Sal. Its sand dunes ripple as far as the eye can see, mirroring the powerful Atlantic Ocean like old neighbours who have lived side by side since time immemorial. Sand, naturally, means beaches and relaxation. A well-deserved break after ten-days of island hopping.
Optional - A day trip round Boa Vista with a private guide.
Private transfer to the airport and return flight via Lisbon.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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