The archipelago
Cape Verde lies in the Atlantic Ocean, some 500 km off the coast of Senegal. Its ten islands — Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolau, Sal, Boavista, Maio, Santiago, Fogo, Brava and Santa Luzia — offer strikingly different landscapes: from the Saharan dunes of Boavista to the lush green valleys of Santo Antão, from the active volcano of Fogo to the turquoise beaches of Sal.
When to go
The climate is mild all year round, with temperatures between 20 and 30 °C. The best season runs from November to August: clear skies, calm seas and wind that's ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
The people
Cape Verdeans are famous for their morabeza — a warm, heartfelt hospitality. The culture is a blend of African, Portuguese and Brazilian influences, with a music all of its own (morna, coladera, funaná) and a cuisine that brings together fresh fish, maize and beans.