The Cape Verde Islands are a small archipelago about 350 miles off the coast of Africa and about 800 miles further south than the Canary Islands.
They have weather similar to the Caribbean but don't suffer the hurricanes that devastate that part of the world. In fact, it is said that all the hurricanes that hit the west coast of America actually begin as weather systems in the Cape Verde Islands
The Islands are volcanic but the only remaining active volcano is on the island of Fogo. The land is consequently made from volcanic rock making the landscape often similar to Lanzarote.
The Cape Verdean people are very friendly and laid back with a "Mantra" of "No Stress". That means that visitors have to leave behind the busy-ness of big city life when they're here. everything happens at a much slower and probably healthier pace.
As a past colony of Portugal the Islands still have close ties to that country. Portuguese is consequently spoken by all Islanders, although the local language is a Portuguese Creole.
The local currency is the Escudo, but as this is fixed at 110 escudos to the Euro, the Euros is accepted everywhere and change is even given in Euros or Escudos.
Fresh fish is in abundance, carpacio of Tuna and Wahu being a tasty starter to any meal. Like everywhere restaurants range
from reasonable to expensive, those with beach views generally being higher priced.
In Cape Verde you can experience some of the best water sports in the world. If you have ever wanted to learn Wind or Kite surfing this is the place to come, with rounds of the World Championships being held there every year and winds nearly always suitable for both.