Discover African and Portuguese heritage, colonial charm and beautiful scenery, from mountain ranges to volcanic landscapes and vast beaches on this fascinating journey to the Cape Verde Islands.
A long-time Portuguese colony sitting deep into the Atlantic off the coast of West Africa, the island now known as Santiago was originally settled to be used as a slave trading outpost. Over time the other islands of this volcanic archipelago were inhabited and, today, the Cape Verde Islands offer a spellbinding blend of African and Portuguese influences in their architecture, food, customs and traditions.
With a pleasant year-round climate, this island chain offers a diverse range of landscapes from verdant mountain ranges, lush hills and jungles, volcanic landscapes or wide deserted beaches. The harbours and towns are extremely welcoming to visitors - they don't get many! It's still a comparatively undiscovered, natural and fresh sort of place and long may that last, we say. All things considered, this is a journey that will open up a vibrant and colourful world, all set against the gentle rhythms of West African music.
Z311 Operated by Variety
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Islands of the Cape Verde Archipelago Itinerary
Day 1 - Palmeira, Sal (Cape Verde Islands)
Embarkation at 4:00 pm at the port of Palmeira, Sal. Dinner on board and departure at midnight towards Boavista. Overnight at sea.
Day 2 - Sal Rei, Boa Vista
Early morning arrival at Sal Rei, Boa Vista. Boavista offers the most beautiful beaches of the archipelago, and amazing landscapes, both on its coasts and in the heart of the island. Relax on the beach or enjoy an all-day optional excursion to discover the most authentic aspects of the island: its villages with colourful facades, its artisans of ceramics, and its agriculture. Lunch at a local restaurant, before we return on board to sail towards Santiago island. Overnight at sea.
Day 3 - Praia, Santiago
Early morning arrival at Praia, Santiago, the largest of the islands of the archipelago. After a morning at leisure and lunch on board, the optional afternoon excursion will bring us to Cidade Velha, the first colonial city built in the tropics and classified by UNESCO. The fort and the nearby settlements were once a thriving slave trade centre. Late in the evening we will sail north towards Fogo, the island of fire. Overnight at sea.
Day 4 - Sao Felipe, Fogo
Early morning arrival Fogo, with its dominating sight of the Fogo Volcano which rises 3,000 meters over the sea level. Our optional full day excursion will bring us at the top of the volcano, right at the crater edge. You will walk through a landscape of lava. Lunch will be at the crater’s village. We will also visit the city San Felipe with a characteristic colonial charm. Late in the evening we will sail to Sao Vicente. Overnight at sea.
Day 5 - Mindelo, Sao Vicente
Once a vibrant commercial island, it has evolved into a cultural center and Mindelo is one of the most well preserved colonial cities in Cape Verde. Our optional walking excursion will allow you to visit galleries and discover busy restaurants, musical events that give Mindelo its label of the Cultural Center of the Cape Verde. It is no surprise that the National Museum of Handicrafts is located in Mindelo. Overnight in port.
Day 6 - Mindelo, Sao Vicente – Porto Novo – Santo Antao
Early in the morning depart for a short sail towards the island of Santo Antao, the greenest of all Cape Verde Islands with landscapes of verdant plantations of sugarcane alternate old craters. Our optional full day excursion will include the luxuriant Valley Paul where sugarcane is still exploited and where you will taste the “grogue” the national drink of the Archipelago. You will also reach the Valley of Ribeira das Patas and discover rock formations coming from lava formations. Dinner on board and overnight in port.
Day 7 - Porto Novo – Santo Antao
This morning, enjoy an optional half day excursion to discover the south-western part of the island a safari through volcanic landscapes, porcelain field, and isolated villages with dropwise agriculture and different kind of plantations. This is a beautiful experience through villages like Lagedos with an ecological tourism to explore the dry volcanic face of this extraordinary island. Return on board to depart towards Sal. Overnight at sea.
Day 8 - Palmeira, Sal
Early morning arrival at Palmeira port, Sal. Disembarkation at 9:00 am after breakfast.
The itinerary is subject to weather and operating conditions and sailing is not permitted in winds of force 7 on the Beaufort scale and above. The Company reserves the right to substitute the vessel.