Cape Verde Holidays

Thanks to its North Atlantic spot between Portugal, Brazil and West Africa, Cape Verde’s heritage is a mix of all three. Influences from these next-door neighbours have fused to create the unique culture of the islands today. Olives and wine from the Portuguese region of Alentejo are familiar faces at dinner, while African rice-and-spice stews are popular meals. At markets, you’ll find Portuguese crocheted blankets laid out next to vibrant African-patterned fabrics, while Brazilian samba-style beats play in the background.

The island of Boa Vista’s home to 55 kilometres of the sandy stuff, so there’s plenty and more to go around. Most are of the milky-white variety, and the sea’s a tropical turquoise. The best of the bunch is Santa Monica which, unlike its Californian counterpart, is pretty much untouched. You'll find similar characters over on Sal. Plus, the colourful town of Santa Maria rolls out a hotel-lined, golden strip of sand that's sheltered by two headlands.

The country’s well-known for its music, which spans a shedload of genres. Most songs are sung in Creole. In plenty of bars and clubs you’ll hear funana – an upbeat tune usually played on an accordion, which never fails to get the locals moving. At the other end of the scale you’ll find the morna. It’s a dramatic piece, and dancers tend to sway to the beat in a rumba-style.