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Times
14-07-2025
- Times
9 of the best hotels on Boa Vista
The easternmost island of Cape Verde is a little more tranquil than its smaller sister, Sal, and has a strong focus on eco-friendly and boutique accommodation. Beaches are its main allure, along with striking nature reserves and turtle nesting sites, but you'll also want to come for its rolling desert dunes, historic shipwrecks and touches of tradition. Clay is a big deal here and relics of the ceramics industry can be seen in the old chimney stack on Chaves beach, while local artisans can be seen at work in the town of Rabil. These are some of the best hotels in which to base yourself during a stay on Boa Vista. • Best for romance: Guest House Fusion Villa • Best for adults-only relaxation: Hotel Riu Karamboa• Best for getting back to nature: Spinguera Ecolodge • Best for serenity: AHG Marine Club Beach Resort This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue £ | POOL | Best for romance A ten-minute drive from Sal Rei, this hotel — featuring six Maldives-style thatched villas — is easily one of the most romantic places to stay on the island. The pool is a highlight, wending its way around the curved stone villas, which each sleep two. Inside, the decor is stylish and low-key, with bleached beechwood arches and mirrored patio doors that maintain privacy, while individual balconies let the light flood in. • More of the best hotels in Cape Verde £ | Best for beach bums These chic beach bungalows, best suited to couples, come with spacious decked terraces so you can relax under the palm trees in complete privacy. Each room, decorated in calming colours with natural materials, feels spacious thanks to generous patio doors that open to the beach. A short walk along the sand is Perola d'Chaves, a vibey Caribbean-themed bar that is a good spot for beach barbecues and sundowners — it's so popular that other hotels lay on transport for guests. £ | Best for getting back to nature A stay at this magical ecolodge on the protected Norte Natural Park, on the northern shores of Boa Vista, is your chance to experience a wilder side of the island. The old fishing and farming village has been transformed into a set of airy, simplistic bedrooms and sandstone villas, sandwiched between desert and sea. There are plenty of sustainability ticks too: hot water is solar powered, the hair dryers have low energy consumption and the food is locally sourced where possible. • Which is the best Cape Verde island? Here's how to choose ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for getting away from it all It is easy to feel as though you are staying at your own remote desert oasis at Riu Touareg, in a plum position on the wide expanse of Lacacao beach. Next door you'll find Santa Monica — another glorious sandy strip. The hotel is all-inclusive and — while large, with more than 1,100 rooms — feels spacious, with palm-lined promenades, grand arches and soothing water features, as well as three saltwater pools tucked into beautiful gardens. • Discover our full guide to Cape Verde £ | Best for rooftop views This no-frills pad is suited to those on a budget: far enough from the centre of Sal Rei to be fairly peaceful but close enough to access the city by foot. Guests can soak in the rooftop hot tub, which commands panoramic views of Estoril beach and the uninhabited Sal Rei Islet across the channel. Rooms are colourful and contemporary, with blackout curtains to keep the sun from interrupting post-cocktail slumbers, and the ferry port is a 20-minute walk away, making it a convenient base for exploring the other islands too. £ | POOL | Best for serenity Marine Club Beach Resort stands on a serene rocky cove just north of Sal Rei and has magical views of the bay. It's designed to feel like a mini village and, while rooms are simplistic, there's a small amphitheatre where entertainment is provided most evenings. The town is a 20-minute wander away. All in all, it's the perfect place for those in search of somewhere quiet to kick back near the beach. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for adults-only relaxation Grand turquoise domes, bright white turrets and grounds lined with elegant mosaic pools reflecting rustling palm trees give this hotel a sultan-like style. It's surrounded by calming, windswept dunes, and guests can pad along the dramatic sandy stretch of Salines beach, which leads to a clutch of shops selling arts and crafts, sarongs and scuba equipment. Unusually for an adults-only resort, the hotel also includes a water park, so you can be a big kid without worrying about the little ones. £ | Best for authenticity Canary-coloured Orquidea, tucked away in a sandy corner of Estoril beach, is one of the most authentic places to stay on the island. Food is a family affair, as guests tuck into homemade guava jam at breakfast, taken in a palm-dappled courtyard. For dinner it's a ten-minute wander to Sodade, a well-regarded restaurant with a museum run by the owner's daughter. Rooms are great value and it is worth plumping for the superior option, with a balcony where you can kick back in a hammock overlooking the bay. £ | SPA | POOL | Best for familiesDirectly above Chaves beach, one of best stretches of sand on the island, the curvy, colourful Occidental (formerly the Royal Horizon) has a distinctive Mediterranean feel in its rustic terraces and terracotta-coloured villas, most of which come with knockout ocean views. Should you want to keep fit, there are regular free aerobics, aquafit and archery classes, as well as a kids' club and live music most evenings. • Is it safe to visit Cape Verde? Everything to know after holiday illness claims• Best things to do in Cape Verde Have you visited Cape Verde? Share your favourite spots in the comments
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GoldMining Options Up to 80% of the Boa Vista Project to Australian Mines Limited for Total Consideration of Up to $7 million
VANCOUVER, BC, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - GoldMining Inc. (the "Company" or "GoldMining") (TSX: GOLD) (NYSE American: GLDG) is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary has entered into a binding term sheet for an earn-in agreement (the "Earn-In Agreement"), pursuant to which, among other things, Australian Mines Limited (ASX:AUZ) ("AUZ") may acquire up to an 80% interest in the Company's Boa Vista Project ("Boa Vista" or the "Project"), located in the Tapajós Gold Province, Pará State, Brazil in consideration for aggregate cash and equity payments of up to $7 million1, as described below. The Company presently owns an indirect 84.05% interest in the Project and, if the option is exercised in full, will retain a 20% interest at such time. Alastair Still, CEO of GoldMining, commented: "We are pleased to announce this option agreement which positions GoldMining to unlock value from its Boa Vista Project. At the same time, the transaction will allow management to further focus its attention on advancing its key assets, such as the São Jorge Project, where the Company recently announced its largest drilling program to date. Boa Vista is not included within our disclosed global resource estimate, but it does contain numerous exploration targets and, following the full exercise of the proposed options, GoldMining will retain upside to Boa Vista through a retained interest, future staged earn-in and milestone payments and equity in AUZ as they advance the Project. We wish AUZ success with exploration and look forward to potential future benefits for both companies." Key Earn-In Agreement Highlights: Initial Consideration: $55,000 cash payment (non-refundable); and Issuance of ordinary shares of AUZ ("AUZ Shares") valued at AUD$1 million ($884,000), calculated based on a deemed issue price per AUZ Share equal to the twenty-day volume-weighted average price ("VWAP") for AUZ Shares immediately prior to the date of execution of the Earn-In Agreement, to be distributed on a pro rata basis to the Company and the minority holder. First Option: AUZ has 3 years from the date all conditions precedent to the Earn-In Agreement are satisfied to earn the right to a 51% interest in the Project by: Incurring minimum exploration expenditures of $3,978,000 (AUD$4.5 million), inclusive of: Completing a minimum 6,000 metres of diamond core drilling; and Making three annual cash payments to the Company of $250,000. Announcing a JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate of at least 500,000 gold ounces, including at least 250,000 ounces in the measured and indicated categories; and Issuance of AUZ Shares valued at AUD$1 million ($884,000), calculated based on a deemed issue price per AUZ Share equal to the twenty-day VWAP for AUZ Shares immediately prior to the date of notice of exercise of the First Option, to be distributed on a pro rata basis to the Company and the minority holder. Upon satisfying the First Option Conditions AUZ and GoldMining will form a joint venture (51/49 respectively) on industry standard terms with AUZ as the initial operator. Second Option: AUZ may earn a further 19% interest in the Project (to 70%) within 3 years from the date of completion of the first option by: Expending a minimum annual amount of AUD$1 million ($884,000) on exploration and feasibility study activities on the Project, including a minimum of AUD$1 million ($884,000) on environmental baseline studies; and Completing a Feasibility Study containing a JORC and NI 43-101 Mineral Reserve of more than 250,000 ounces of gold. Third Option: AUZ has a further option, exercisable within 90 days from the date of completion of the second option, to earn a further 10% interest in the Project (to 80%) by: At the Company's option, either by granting the Company a shield to dilution out of the joint venture or by paying the Company the third option exercise price (which may be a mix of cash and equity, with a minimum 50% in cash) in an amount equal to the greater of either (i) or (ii): $4,420,000 (AUD$5 million); and the value of the then Mineral Resource at the Project at the time of exercise, calculated as the sum of gold oz contained within the Mineral Resource by multiplying measured resources by AUD$20/oz, indicated resources by AUD$10/oz, and inferred resources (less 300,000 oz) by AUD$2.50/oz 1Dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless noted. AUD converted to CAD at rate of 1 AUD = 0.884 CAD. The Earn-In Agreement is subject to customary conditions applicable to the transactions contemplated therein, including receipt of requisite shareholder approvals of AUZ and stock exchange approvals of the ASX. AUZ intends to call a meeting of shareholders to seek shareholder approval for the Earn-In Agreement. Boa Vista Project The Boa Vista Gold Project is located in the Tapajós Gold District, 350km south of the main regional city Itaituba, southwest Pará State, Brazil (see Figure 1). Access to the Boa Vista Gold Project from the cities of Itaituba or Novo Progresso is via highway BR-163 and artisanal mining roads, or via a 1.5-hour flight in a light aircraft from Itaituba. The Project comprises 3 exploration permits covering an area of approximately 9,201 ha (92 km2). GoldMining owns 84.05% of the Project with Majestic D&M Holdings, LLC owning the remaining 15.95%. The Boa Vista property is underlain by granites, granodiorites and mafic volcanics. Bedrock surface exposures identify east-west, northwest and northeast striking shear structures containing quartz sulphide veinlets, silica breccia and stock works hosted in sericite and pyrite altered and foliated granite and mafic volcanic rocks. Mineralization at most prospects is considered to be mesothermal in nature, however at some of the prospects, vein textures suggest it may be epithermal style mineralization. Coarse visible gold hosted in silica veined and brecciated rock was first discovered in surface outcrops at the VG1 prospect in 2010. Subsequent soil geochemical surveying has outlined a gold-in-soil anomaly trending to the west-northwest over 2 kilometres in length and up to 350 metres in width. Gold mineralization is associated with sericite, carbonate, silica and pyrite alteration associated with quartz stock work and brecciated granitic and mafic volcanic rocks. Qualified Person Tim Smith, P. Geo., Vice President Exploration of GoldMining, has supervised the preparation of, and verified and approved, all other scientific and technical information herein this news release. Mr. Smith is also a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). About GoldMining Inc. GoldMining Inc. is a public mineral exploration company focused on acquiring and developing gold assets in the Americas. Through its disciplined acquisition strategy, GoldMining now controls a diversified portfolio of resource-stage gold and gold-copper projects in Canada, the U.S.A., Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. The Company also owns approximately 21.5 million shares of Gold Royalty Corp. (NYSE American: GROY), 9.9 million shares of U.S. GoldMining Inc. (Nasdaq: USGO) and 25.1 million shares of NevGold Corp. (TSXV: NAU). See for additional information. Notice to Readers Technical disclosure regarding the Project has been prepared by the Company in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule of the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These standards differ from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the scientific and technical information contained in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by domestic United States companies subject to the SEC's reporting and disclosure requirements. Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Statements Certain of the information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied therein. Forward-looking statements, which are all statements other than statements of historical fact, include, but are not limited to, satisfaction of the conditions to the Earn-In Agreement, timing and receipt of payment of the Option, the exercise of the Option, statements respecting the Company's expectations regarding the Project, and expected work programs and often contain words such as "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "will", "would", estimate", "expect", "believe", "potential" and variations of such terms. Such forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the markets in which GoldMining operates, which may prove to be incorrect. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation: the risk that AUZ may not be able to secure the requisite approvals for the Earn-In Agreement, the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, fluctuating metal prices, unanticipated costs and expenses, risks related to government and environmental regulation, social, permitting and licensing matters, any inability to complete work programs as expected, the Company's plans with respect to the Project may change as a result of further planning or otherwise, and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future. These risks, as well as others, including those set forth in GoldMiningꞌs most recent Annual Information Form and other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the SEC, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking statements, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities law. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE GoldMining Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
Zawya
20-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Community support boosts Angola's cholera response
In the heart of Boa Vista, a neighbourhood in Angola's capital, Luanda, 48-year-old mother of three Maria Teresa da Silva is joining other community members to spread awareness of the ongoing cholera outbreak. When the first cases were reported in her community in mid-January 2025, she joined a group of concerned women eager to contribute to the response. With support from local authorities, they began educating neighbours, distributing hygiene products and promoting cholera prevention practices. 'We live in a community,' she says. 'We must find time and support each other to protect our health and save lives.' Community involvement in this low-income urban neighbourhood has helped to curb the outbreak: no new cholera cases have been reported for four consecutive weeks, since 19 May. 'At first, many families didn't seek health services. Lack of information was the biggest challenge,' says the municipal administrator of Ingombota, Mika Kaquesse. Local authorities organized 800 community awareness sessions, built water tanks, distributed hygiene products and implemented sanitation sensitization campaigns. 'We know that prevention is key in cholera control ‒ clean water, sanitation and information,' says Dr Genoveva Mafu, clinical coordinator at the Boa Vista cholera treatment centre. 'It was frightening at first, but teamwork and partner support made all the difference.' The Ministry of Health in Angola, with support from World Health Organization (WHO), has trained more than 8000 community mobilizers to support the response and around 4450 community leaders in early detection, oral rehydration solution preparation and household water treatment. Health authorities have conducted sensitization campaigns with community and religious leaders, community listening sessions, and engaged with multiple sectors such as environment, fisheries, water and energy, youth and the military to ensure a coordinated and culturally appropriate response. This has resulted in more than 8 million people reached with messages on cholera prevention. 'Community-based activities have increased public trust in health services and strengthened local epidemiological surveillance,' says Mateus Mariano Miguel, president of the Boa Vista Residents Committee. 'The community responded massively. We continue working, even without new cases, because we know prevention must never stop.' Health authorities have also trained 1000 health workers and activated almost 140 surveillance teams conducting case management, active case finding, and infection prevention and control. Nationwide, 166 rapid response teams have been deployed and 180 cholera treatment centres have been established to manage and treat cases. In just over five months, Angola has recorded over 26 000 cases and nearly 750 deaths. This marks the worst cholera outbreak in the country in almost two decades. Thanks to a multisectoral and multipronged approach, the past two weeks have shown encouraging trends. As of 14 June 2025, the number of new weekly cases has dropped to 826 – the lowest levels since March. Weekly deaths have decreased to the lowest levels since January and the weekly case fatality rate has declined to 1.5% from a high of 8.8% in January 2025. 'While the situation remains serious, these improvements demonstrate the impact of the ongoing response and provide hope that the outbreak can be brought under control soon. We must continue to reinforce collaboration because when communities are empowered and engaged, lives can be saved and dignity restored,' says Dr Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Times
01-06-2025
- General
- Times
Which is the best Cape Verde island? Here's how to choose
Cape Verde's landscape is spectacularly diverse: soaring volcanic peaks and magical cloud villages, kaleidoscopic desert mirages, biodiverse turquoise seas . . . when it comes to natural wonders, the archipelago's islands have it all. And if none of that were enough to lure visitors, then the steady year-round sunshine hours in return for a six-hour flight from the UK — minus the jet lag — might just do the trick. There are four international airports (Santiago, Sao Vicente, Sal and Boa Vista) and local airports on all the populated islands except Brava and Santo Antao, which can be reached by water. Ferries operate between most of the islands but the seas are often rough and timetables unreliable, so internal flights are a faster, more reliable and cost-effective way to get around, with the added advantage of epic bird's-eye views. To explore the islands themselves, you can hire a rental car, but the roads are treacherous, so taxis or aluguers (shared taxis and minibuses) are advisable for all but the most confident drivers. For luxury, all-inclusive and family-friendly resorts, Sal and Boa Vista are the most developed islands — but there are less-touristed alternatives that many miss. All but one of the archipelago's ten islands are inhabited (Santa Luzia is the only uninhabited island). Here's how to choose between them. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue For some travellers, Sal is simply a pitstop between islands — most international and plenty of local flight traffic flows through Amilcar Cabral international airport — but for the many sun-loving devotees of Cape Verde's most popular destination it is the simple things that keep them here: the consistently warm, dry climate and sublime golden beaches. Sal has several sprawling resorts from international hotel brands like Hilton and Meliá, but you can also find boutique options. Sal's windswept desert landscape can feel a little sparse, but there is plenty to keep visitors occupied: soak up nourishing minerals at Pedra de Lume's surreal salt lakes, see baby lemon sharks at Shark Bay, or visit the Terra Boa mirage where an optical illusion conjures an ocean in the heart of the desert. Originally built as a private farmhouse by its Belgian owners, Hotel Morabeza is one of the most popular independent resorts on the island, and for good reason. Sail around Sal on a full-day catamaran cruise with Tui, with all your drinks and snacks included. • Best hotels in Sal The easternmost island in the archipelago and the closest to Africa, Boa Vista is known for epic white sands and historic shipwrecks — the best-known is the skeleton of the Cabo Santa Maria on Atalanta beach — that can be reached on foot in about two hours from Sal Rei or on one of the island's many 4×4 tours. Along with Santiago, Boa Vista has the joint second-busiest international airport in Cape Verde and there are plenty of budget flights available. Boa Vista also has the third largest population of loggerhead turtles in the world, migrating humpback whales, tropical corals and considerable biodiversity, so there is plenty to learn about the Atlantic's aquatic occupants here. Although Boa Vista is around three times the size of Sal and popular with holidaymakers, its character is more laid-back. Still, there's plenty of fun to be found in Sal Rei, the island's biggest town, which is home to a couple of wonderful family-owned museums — Sodade House of Memory, an elegant local restaurant exhibiting local artefacts, and the Museu dos Naufragos, which is constructed entirely from local and recycled materials and charts the history and culture of Cape Verde. For night owls, there is an abundance of bars, beach parties and local music. Don't miss local institution the Morabeza Beach Club, which is where beach bums gather for cocktails and fresh lobster amid a languid Caribbean vibe. For all-out relaxation, stay at VOI Praia De Chaves Resort, which has a private beach, two pools (one for children) and plenty of water sports. Get away from the landlubbers and see the island from a different perspective on Viator's Boa Vista Adults-Only Cruise, on which you'll explore secluded beaches, snorkel and watch out for whales on a beautiful wooden sailing boat. • Is it safe to visit Cape Verde? Everything to know after holiday illness claims In sharp contrast to much of the parched desert terrain of other Cape Verdean islands, northwesternmost Santo Antao is bursting with life. Wild figs and dragon trees, coconut palms and alpine firs all thrive in this mountainous volcanic terrain. Dizzying, vertiginous roads lead to fairytale valleys scored with cassava terraces and banana trees. Santo Antao is the second-largest island in Cape Verde, so to get around you will need wheels. You can drive yourself with a rental from Porto Novo, but unless you are extremely confident a local driver is a better option. And there's plenty to explore. Visit Fontainhas, a colourful cluster of homes perched on hazy cliffs with a view that has been acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the world. Locals use donkeys to reach the village but tourists take taxis or rental cars. Sinuous paths, gorgeous mountain vistas and lush ribeiras make it a paradise for hikers. Back down to earth, volcanic black beaches glitter in the turquoise surf, although they are not all ideal for swimming. Generally the seas here are pretty lively but the lava tubes and manta rays beneath the waves will keep keen divers happy. Accommodation ranges from traditional bungalows to eco-lodges, guest houses and some boutique hotels. Stay at Aldea Panoramica, a secret sanctuary in Paul, the greenest, most beautiful valley on the island. Exodus Adventure Travels' varied seven-night private tour of Cape Verde's northern islands takes in Santo Antao as well as Mindelo and Sao Vicente. • Discover our full guide to Cape Verde Sao Vicente is the cultural heart of the Cape Verdean islands. One of the smaller islands, measuring around 88 square miles, what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in spirit. In the capital, Mindelo, you can wander the streets and follow the music: small jazz clubs spill out onto the squares, carnival relics rest in colourful courtyards and the streets fizz with life. There is a proud cultural and creative heritage in Mindelo, marked by various museums and festivals like the Cape Verde Carnival, held on Shrove Tuesday, and the Museu Cesaria Evora, dedicated to the singer known as the 'Barefoot Diva'. Vivid murals of Cesaria, Cape Verde's most famous musical export, also grace the bright colonial architecture. Much of the island is made up of desert-like terrain but there are some excellent hikes to be found and it's well worth taking the six-hour walking route from Mindelo to the top of Monte Verde to drink tea distilled from cloud water at the Cabana de Cha tea house. There are few luxury hotels in Mindelo but you'll find good boutique offerings, hiker's lodges and simple guesthouses. In the heart of Mindelo, just minutes from Laginha beach, is Casa da Djedja, a rustic guesthouse with an elegant courtyard that's perfect for alfresco breakfasts. Sao Vicente is a popular cruise destination. P&O's Southampton To Freemantle sailing visits Lisbon, Madeira and Sao Vicente, among other vibrant ports, on its 39-night voyage to Australia. • Best things to do in Cape Verde• Best hotels in Cape Verde The clue is in the title: fogo means fire in Portuguese. With the sole remaining active volcano in Cape Verde, Fogo's dramatic, lava-scarred landscape comes alive with the cool eucalyptus woods and coffee fields that break through the scorched terrain. The unusually mineral-rich volcanic terroir supports small but internationally respected coffee and wine industries. Both the wine and coffee have unique taste profiles and a multitude of tours are available to help visitors explore the local artisanal produce. The award-winning vineyard at Cha das Caldeiras is the best known and has its own guesthouse. Wander the lunar craters and caves of Cha das Caldeiras National Park and taste the local wines or hike to the summit of the Pico do Fogo volcano. Make Sao Filipe your final stop to see the charming sky-blue church and souvenir shop for colourful ceramics and fabrics in the local markets. Stock up on local wine and coffee beans or, for the stronger constitution, grogue — the local sugar-cane liquor. Stay at Casa Marisa, where the eco-lodges are built on lava fields — in places the floors are still warm to the touch. Sample the high life on a Fogo wine and cheese tasting tour with Get Your Guide — it's not every day you get to taste wine with volcano views. Brava, the smallest of Cape Verde's inhabited islands, is tucked away behind Fogo in the western tail of the island chain. Known as Ilha das Flores — Island of Flowers — the island's high altitude feeds abundant lush valleys and verdant peaks packed with maize and mangos, sugar cane and papaya trees. Brava is only accessible by ferry from Fogo, which takes around an hour — but the journey makes the whole experience feel that much more special when you reach Brava's mysterious, often cloud-shrouded shores. Explore the bay around Faja de Agua, renowned for its wild natural swimming pools carved into the ancient black rock, and seek out handicrafts in the main town of Nova Sintra, named for its Portuguese cousin. Small guesthouses, villas and B&Bs are the main accommodation on the island. You'll find charming private bungalows on the slopes of the caldera above Sao Filipe at La Fora Ecolodge. Immerse yourself in local culture by visiting towns and buying local fish and goat's cheese on this Brava Island: the Routes of Morna day trip (morna being Cape Verde's traditional music).Fittingly for the largest island of the Cape Verde archipelago, Santiago has elements of all the other islands — dramatic green valleys and the imposing volcanic Serra Malagueta mountain range, gold and black sand beaches, vibrant orchards and vegetable gardens rich with cassava and yam, and lemon, fig and coconut trees. It's also home to what is considered the oldest European settlement in West Africa, former capital Cidade Velha, now a Unesco world heritage site. Spend the morning exploring the old fort and Pillory Square then head to the new capital Praia, a half-hour drive to the east. As the most populous city in Cape Verde, Praia also offers plenty of variety and a spectrum of places to stay, from sleek upmarket resorts to humble boutique hotels. Meander round the buzzing African food market, lose an afternoon in the cultural museums, watch the locals practise capoeira or just take in some local music and cocktails as the sun goes down over the bay. A peaceful eco-boutique resort on the gorgeous shores of Ponta de Atum, the King Fisher Village has an infinity pool, stylish rooms and homegrown food. Visit Santiago on Saga's 18-night Canaries and Culture of Cape Verde cruise, with the option to explore the island on a 4×4 excursion. Just a 20-minute flight from neighbouring Santiago, Maio is one of the least developed islands in the chain. There is very little in the way of traffic here, human or otherwise, and the glorious white-sand beaches rival those of the Maldives. Accommodation is simple but welcoming, while palm trees and mature acacia forests provide relief from the arid desert heat. While away the hours in the pretty main town, Porto Ingles, and make sure to sample local goat's cheese and delicious caldeirada de peixe (fish stew). Make time for a visit to the tranquil north coast to spot seabirds and, if you're lucky, a white-tailed eagle. Beachfront Casa Evora, located a few minutes' drive from the airport, is a simple but convenient base from which to explore the island. See the highlights of Maio and end the day with a dip at Bitchirotcha beach on this full-day guided tour via Get Your overlooked in favour of the more populous islands, unspoilt Sao Nicolau is a photographer's dream. It's one of the smaller islands —less than 15 miles at its widest point — so you can see a lot in a day. The Carbeirinho cliffs to the west are one of Cape Verde's most beautiful natural wonders. Sculpted over centuries by the sea, the curved strata of limestone and the caves beneath are something special. Less than half an hour's drive south, you can submerge yourself in the fabled healing sands of Tarrafal beach, or in the wilder north soak in the natural basalt rock pools of Juncalinho. Monte Gordo National Park is the heart of the island. Its misty peaks are home to what is known as the dragon blood tree for the red sap it secretes, used by locals to treat pain. The summit views from Monte Gordo are staggering. A variety of trails will take you to the top — the highest point of the island — and you should allow three to six hours for this, depending on your level of fitness and skill. On a clear day you see the whole of Sao Nicolau, Vicente and Santo Antao. The island's main town, Ribeira Brava, is set in a deep green valley, a location that once helped to conceal its citizens from pirate attacks. Potter around the jumbled, cobbled streets, marvel at the candy-coloured colonial architecture, and stop by the impressive cathedral and town square to people watch. You can reach Sao Nicolau by ferry but the seas are often rough and internal flights between the islands are generally more reliable — plus the descent into the dramatic, volcanic interior is worth the ticket. Accommodation is limited to small guesthouses and home stays. A bright, Insta-friendly guesthouse, the Pensao Bela Sombra has both the island's capital and spectacular mountain terrain on its doorstep. See the best bits of Sao Nicolau on a 4×4 private tour that, along with the sights, includes a stop at the beach for a swim. • Best places for affordable winter sun• Best destinations that are hot all year round
