This new 7th edition of Bradt’s Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) has been fully revised and updated and remains the only comprehensive English-language guidebook available to the islands of this alluring Atlantic archipelago, described by some as ‘Africa light’.
The guide includes well-researched history and cultural sections, with a particularly strong section on music, and brings an honest approach to reporting the fragile balance between tourist development and protecting the environment.
This new edition reflects the many changes since the previous one, including the introduction of charter flights from the UK to Sal and the first casino-hotel on Sal, as well as providing full information on how to make the most of the less developed islands away from the main tourist hotspots.
Stable and peaceful, quietly isolated by its mid-Atlantic location, Cape Verde continues to grow economically and to develop its tourist infrastructure at a leisurely pace. With few natural resources, the islands are heavily dependent on imports, foreign remittances and still to some extent on foreign aid. The reduction in the latter has heightened the focus on the importance of tourism as an economic driver and visitor numbers continue to rise. Year-round sunshine makes Cape Verde a particularly appealing destination. The archipelago is diverse, particularly in terms of its tourist infrastructure. Sal and Boavista, the oldest of these volcanic islands are flat with white-sand beaches that rival anything in the world.
Consequently, they attract 95% of Cape Verde’s visitors, leaving the other seven inhabited islands undeveloped. Hikers and those curious to discover something authentic are drawn to them, spending their time walking amongst the jaw-dropping mountainous landscapes of Fogo or Santo Antao, taking some true time-out in tiny Brava or mellow Maio or enjoying the cultural fusion of African, Portuguese and Brazilian influences in the cities of Praia and Mindelo.
The adventurous will find adrenalin rushing as they profit from windsurfing and kitesurfing opportunities, fuelled by strong breezes and Atlantic waves, while for culture, Mindelo is the attraction with a constant backdrop of seductive music, the thread which ties together the islands scattered across the mid-Atlantic.
Tartalom
PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
At a glance, Geography climate, Natural history & conservation, History, Government & politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture
Chapter 2 Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, Disabled travellers, Gay & lesbian travellers, Travelling with kids, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating & drinking, Public holidays & festivals, Shopping, Arts & entertainment, Media & communications, Buying a property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively, Living and working in Cape Verde, Investing in Cape Verde
PART 2 THE GUIDE
Chapter 3 Sal
Highlights, Lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay and eat, Activities, Espargos, Santa Maria das Dores, Other places to visit, Other practicalities, Hikes
Chapter 4 Boavista
Highlights, Lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay and eat, Activities, Sal Rei, Other places to visit, Other practicalities, Hikes
Chapter 5 Santiago
Highlights, Lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay and eat, Activities, Praia, Cidade Velha, São Domingos, Assomada, Serra Malagueta, Tarrafal, Other places to visit, Other practicalities, Hikes
Chapter 6 Maio
Highlights, Lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay and eat, Activities, Cidade de Porto Inglés (Vila do Maio), Other places to visit
Chapter 7 Fogo
Highlights, Lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay and eat, Activities, São Filipe, Chã das Caldeiras, Mosteiros, Other places to visit, Hikes
Chapter 8 Brava
Highlights, Lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay and eat, Activities, Furna, Vila Nova Sintra, Fajã d’ Água, Other places to visit, Drives, Hikes
Chapter 9 São Vicente
Highlights, Lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay and eat, Activities, Mindelo, Other places to visit
Chapter 10 Santo Antão
Highlights, Lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay and eat, Activities, The East, The West, Hikes
Chapter 11 São Nicolau
Highlights, Lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay and eat, Activities, Ribeira Brava, Around Ribeira Brava, Tarrafal, North of Tarrafal, South of Ribeira Brava, The East, Raso and Branco, Hikes
