INFO
Day 1 SANTIAGO - Our first steps in Cape Verde
Arrival at Praia Airport, where we breathe in our first puff of Cape Verdean air. And here we go - in 4 strokes, we're ready to go! We are in Santiago, the largest Capeverdean island. The culture, atmosphere, life style are more African than in the rest of the archipelago - for geographical and historical reasons. Night in Praia's historical centre of Plateau.
Included services:
- Transfer airport - accommodation
- Night at Hotel Santa Maria, Praia (option A)
- Night at Praia Confort, Praia (option B)
- (-/-/-)
Day 2 SANTIAGO - Cidade Velha, the first capital
Today, we visit Cidade Velha: twin of Goree in the sinister slave trade, the city is considered the cradle of Creole identity with its cathedral, the first built in Africa, and its recently renovated fortress.
A cheerful and sad place at the same time, the little village square, where the pillory still stands, has seen a multitude of shattered destinies. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but it is also a very lively place where rimbambelles of young children have fun on the beach.
Included services:
- Excursion to Cidade Velha with english speaking guide
- Transfers Praia - Cidade Velha - Praia
- Entrance fee fortress
- Night at Hotel Santa Maria, Praia (option A)
- Night at Praia Confort, Praia (option B)
- (B/-/-)
Day 3 SÃO VICENTE - Arrival in the living port city
From the political capital we pass to Mindelo, which jealously watches over its status as the Cultural capital. Mindelo is music, the Carnival, the sailors' taverns - and let's not forget about the view upon the bay, considered as one of the 30 most beautiful bays in the world (no less!).
Cesária Évora once sang: "who does not know Mindelo, does not know Cape Verde"; the barefoot diva brought attention to the town where she was born, and from which she departed. Night in the historic centre of Mindelo.
Included services:
- Transfer accommodation - airport (Santiago)
- Flight Santiago - São Vicente
- Transfer airport - accommodation (São Vicente)
- Night at Aparthotel Avenida (option A)
- Night at Residencial Mindelo, Mindelo (option B)
- (B/-/-)
Day 4 SÃO VICENTE - City Tour Mindelo & Island Tour
This morning we explore Mindelo on foot. We walk in the streets among colonial mansions and modern houses with warm colors, and even without understanding we listen to stories of the "good old days" told in a good mood cafes terraces, where we can observe the lively life in the heart of the island. Noisy and energetic, the fish market is a must.
After lunch, road book in hand and in the company of our driver, we discover the small but beautiful interior of the island: curious volcanic landscapes parading before our eyes, and after a swim on the mythical beach of BaÃa das Gatas, we reach the Monte Verde to admire the view of the rest of the island.
Included services:
- English speaking guide for city tour
- Lunch
- Roadbook for the Island tour with driver
- Night at Aparthotel Avenida (option A)
- Night at Residencial Mindelo, Mindelo (option B)
- (B/L/-)
Day 5 SANTO ANTÃO - In the southwest of the island
Crossing by ferry to Santo Antão. Our driver takes us to the green north of the island via the famous Corda ("rope") road. From the beginning to the end, we enjoy truly spectacular views, none of the landscapes looks like the previous one, we pass by an arid southern slope to reach a crater where the green is declined in all its shades, we continue through a forest of pines towards valleys sculpted by terraced fields. One of the most striking moments is the passage on a small road overlooking impressive precipices on each side, memories guaranteed!
Later, we visit arguably the greenest valley in Cape Verde, crossing tropical vegetation framing sugar cane fields and banana plantations. The game consists of looking up to spot mango trees, papaya trees, almond trees, dragon trees or, at ground level, to tell the difference between sweet potatoes, cassava, papyrus, etc. We have lunch in an ideally located restaurant before heading to our accommodation in Ponta do Sol.
Included services:
- Transfer Accommodation - Harbour (São Vicente)
- Ferry tickets São Vicente – Santo Antão
- English-speaking driver for the excursion
- Lunch
- Night at Residencial Miranda & Miranda, Ponta do Sol (option A)
- Night at Ponta do Sol Coração, Ponta do Sol or similar. (option B)
- (B/L/-)
Day 6 SANTO ANTÃO - In the green north
Without misunderstanding, the northeastern region of Santo Antão is a true green paradise, with valleys covered with a carpet of tropical vegetation. Papayas, mangos, bananas, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, yams, sugar cane. Santo Antão exports its products to Mindelo. We will first know Fontainhas, the picturesque village that is one of the prettiest in Cape Verde.
Then we will cross the Ribeira Grande Valley to reach Chã d'Igreja for a typical lunch in a restaurant of a Cape Verdean family in the middle of the village with the church. Back in the afternoon. Overnight in Ponta do Sol at Residencial Miranda & Miranda or similar.
Included services:
- Day trip with English-speaking driver
- Lunch
- Night at Residencial Miranda & Miranda, Ponta do Sol (option A)
- Night at Ponta do Sol Coração, Ponta do Sol ou similaire (option B)
- (B/L/-)
Day 7 SANTO ANTÃO - SÃO VICENTE
We head back towards Mindelo - during the ferry ride, let us stay on the deck, trying to spot dolphins or flying fish. Once on dryland, why not rest on the most Brazilian beach in Cape Verde: national capital of the fringe and flirt, Laginha is the pride of the people of Mindelo. Overnight in the historical center of Mindelo.
Included services:
- Transfer accommodation - Harbour (shared taxi)
- Ferry ticket Santo Antão - São Vicente
- Transfer Harbour- Accommodation
- Night at Aparthotel Avenida, Mindelo (option A)
- Night at Residencial Mindelo, Mindelo (option B)
- (B/-/-)
Day 8 BOAVISTA - Arrival on the beach island
Welcome to Paradise: Boa Vista. With endless beaches, deserts with smooth dunes, surprising oases, colors of postcards, Boa Vista has everything to please us.
We unplug the phones, we're here for no one. Our small residence by the sea is a real cocoon, far from the big hotels that have appeared on the island.
Included services:
- Transfer accommodation - airport (São Vicente)
- Flight São Vicente – Boavista (via Sal ou Santiago)
- Transfer airport - accommodation (Boavista)
- Overnight at Ouril Agueda Hotel , Sal Rei (option A)
- Overnight at Guesthouse Orquidea, Sal Rei (option B)
- (B/-/-)
Day 9 BOAVISTA – Free Day
We wanted to determine if there is an infinity of regular prime numbers, we wanted to translate A Midsummer Night's Dream into SMS language, we were determined to demonstrate the Goodstein theorem in first-order arithmetic, but finally and by mutual agreement, no, none of that. We will just continue to laze on the beach.
Included services:
- Overnight at Ouril Agueda Hotel , Sal Rei (option A)
- Overnight at Guesthouse Orquidea, Sal Rei (option B)
- (B/-/-)
Day 10 BOAVISTA – Island tour
Boavista means, beautiful sight 'and it is a name that holds 100% its promises, the island is a real pearl in the middle of the ocean. Today we discover his most beautiful face in a day: we start at Rabil with its history and colorful houses, we take advantage of the desert to jump and ride in the sand dunes, we visit the old capital of the island with the eye of an initiate, we walk on all fours on a deserted beach to enter the caves and finally we let ourselves be pampered by fishermen for lunch at the edge of an unforgettable blue-turquoise sea. After some swimming and some good sun exposure, it is almost impossible not to fall head over heels in Boavista in just a few hours.
Included services:
- Excursion day as described
- Overnight at Ouril Agueda Hotel , Sal Rei (option A)
- Overnight at Guesthouse Orquidea, Sal Rei (option B)
- (B/L/-)
Day 11 BOAVISTA – Farniente
Included services:
- Overnight at Ouril Agueda Hotel , Sal Rei (option A)
- Overnight at Guesthouse Orquidea, Sal Rei (option B)
- (B/-/-)
Day 12 Farewell «petit pays»
Included services:
- Transfer accommodation - airport (Boavista)
- (B/-/-)
A travel under the sign of contrasts to discover different types of landscapes. We are just climbing up the volcano to jump into the turquoise ...
