Cape Verde 'is the hidden Caribbean'
Sun seekers have found a new corner of the world to top up their tans in, one industry expert has revealed this month.
Sun seekers have found a new corner of the world to top up their tans in, one industry expert has revealed this month.
According to travel guide series the Lonely Planet, Cape Verde - an island located off the north-west African coast - is being touted by many tour operators as the "hidden Caribbean".
BuyAssociation's Buy Guide recently revealed that property prices in Cape Verde, which is a former Portuguese colony, have soared by nearly 20 per cent during 2006.
What is more, in the country, which consists of ten main islands and five islets, the average price for property is CVE13,000,000 (£79,500) for a two-bedroom apartment and CVE26,000,000 (£159,000) for a three-bedroom villa.
This makes Cape Verde, which gained independence in 1975, excellent value in comparison to the Canary Islands, 240 kilometres to the north.
David Else, a Lonely Planet author, explained: "Until five or ten years ago, this destination was unknown to most British tourists and what people are discovering is a set of islands which is as near as Gambia but offer a mix of Portuguese, African and Brazilian style atmosphere."
He added: "The most popular attractions are the beaches, long clean beautiful and warm beaches. It's been described as the hidden Caribbean."
The country is also working hard to beat its economic and humanitarian issues.
Along with eight other countries, it is taking part in the One UN pilot scheme, which looks to unite nations in the drive to meet anti-poverty targets by 2015 laid down in the Millennium Development Goals.
Mr Else explained some of the added benefits of holidaying in Cape Verde, which make its struggle to sort of economic issues so important.
"You can go at any time, in the northern hemisphere it is hotter but because it is a series of islands, it's by the ocean so you don't get extremes of temperature," he said.
Mr Else added: "It follows the European summer holidays which is when it is busier but it spreads out because there are a lot of visitors from different countries and they take their holidays at different times of year.
"There isn't a massive time when you can't go."
