SAL - CAPE VERDE ISLANDS
By Mike Pickup, Mike is an award-winning journalist and photographer who writes about travel for numerous newspapers and magazines, both consumer and trade. He covers all forms of travel including ocean and river cruising. He is also the Editor of Holiday Magazine and a professionally trained photographer. For more information click here
Although it was back in 2007 that TUI first launched direct flights from the UK to the island of Sal in Cape Verde, the destination still seems something of a well-kept secret.
For those not familiar with Cape Verde, it is a string of ten islands some 400 miles off the coast of Senegal in west Africa. Keep going and you reach Brazil. Cape Verde was uninhabited until it was discovered by the Portuguese in 1456. It later gained independence in 1975.
With 350 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature in the high twenties, Sal is six hours flying time away and only one hour behind the UK, making it one of the easiest of winter sunshine destinations to get to for those looking for a break from a cold, grey winter. However, it is a unique year-round destination. Before 2007 visitors had to fly via Portugal. Today there are three direct flights a week from Gatwick, two each from Manchester and Birmingham and one from Bristol.
For those not familiar with Cape Verde, it is a string of ten islands some 400 miles off the coast of Senegal in west Africa. Keep going and you reach Brazil. Cape Verde was uninhabited until it was discovered by the Portuguese in 1456. It later gained independence in 1975.
With 350 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature in the high twenties, Sal is six hours flying time away and only one hour behind the UK, making it one of the easiest of winter sunshine destinations to get to for those looking for a break from a cold, grey winter. However, it is a unique year-round destination. Before 2007 visitors had to fly via Portugal. Today there are three direct flights a week from Gatwick, two each from Manchester and Birmingham and one from Bristol.
Sal, named after the salt pans on the island, is really just a huge pile of rock and sand in the Atlantic. The climate is cooler and less oppressive than mainland Africa, thanks to the surrounding Atlantic and almost constant winds. Virtually nothing grows naturally there, other than a few stunted trees and bushes. Apart from fish, everything, including drinking water, is imported and tourism is the mainstay of the island’s existence. The biggest town is Santa Maria. Founded in 1830 its harbour was originally used for the export of salt but is now the centre of a small fishing industry supplying the local hotels. At the last census it had a population of just over six thousand.
The main activities for visitors to the island are based upon what their hotel has to offer, although a trip to the salt pans is of interest and there are a number of fascinating birds including the black winged Stilt with its long red legs that trail behind it as it flies. The island also has a breeding ground for turtles.
My destination was the newly-opened Robinson Club hotel, the latest in a chain of twenty-five hotels from the successful German holiday company. The island is known for its laid-back style, a place to go where you can chill out, read a book and relax in warm sunshine. The Robinson breaks that mould, aims for an active and younger market and makes full use of Sal’s huge sandy beaches and regular breezes. Water sports are king here, with wind surfing and kite surfing being two of the main attractions. However, they are not compulsory and the extensive grounds provide adequate places to relax for those who want a less active holiday. A stroll along the beach or promenade to Santa Maria helps to walk off all the food on offer.
The hotel is adults-only and all-inclusive. The main restaurant is buffet-style and with a large variety of things on offer, especially impressive bearing in mind that almost everything is imported. At breakfast there was a huge variety of breads although no means of making toast. At lunch or dinner, still and sparkling water are placed on each table and if you ask for wine you will be given a bottle! Lager is available on a self-service basis from a tap in the restaurant.
There is also a speciality Tapas restaurant, Pousada, which is free as far as food is concerned but there is a charge for the fine wines served there. The menu offers a range of enticing dishes and guests are advised to choose several. There is also a three-item pudding menu. A second speciality restaurant is due to be opened later.
Accommodation consists of a double rooms and a range of suites, although even the largest is set up for just two people. Each is equipped with a fridge and a coffee maker with both coffee and tea capsules. Much use is made of glass walls and sliding doors in the bathroom and some guests have commented on the apparent lack of privacy. However it did not appear to be a problem.
My destination was the newly-opened Robinson Club hotel, the latest in a chain of twenty-five hotels from the successful German holiday company. The island is known for its laid-back style, a place to go where you can chill out, read a book and relax in warm sunshine. The Robinson breaks that mould, aims for an active and younger market and makes full use of Sal’s huge sandy beaches and regular breezes. Water sports are king here, with wind surfing and kite surfing being two of the main attractions. However, they are not compulsory and the extensive grounds provide adequate places to relax for those who want a less active holiday. A stroll along the beach or promenade to Santa Maria helps to walk off all the food on offer.
The hotel is adults-only and all-inclusive. The main restaurant is buffet-style and with a large variety of things on offer, especially impressive bearing in mind that almost everything is imported. At breakfast there was a huge variety of breads although no means of making toast. At lunch or dinner, still and sparkling water are placed on each table and if you ask for wine you will be given a bottle! Lager is available on a self-service basis from a tap in the restaurant.
There is also a speciality Tapas restaurant, Pousada, which is free as far as food is concerned but there is a charge for the fine wines served there. The menu offers a range of enticing dishes and guests are advised to choose several. There is also a three-item pudding menu. A second speciality restaurant is due to be opened later.
Accommodation consists of a double rooms and a range of suites, although even the largest is set up for just two people. Each is equipped with a fridge and a coffee maker with both coffee and tea capsules. Much use is made of glass walls and sliding doors in the bathroom and some guests have commented on the apparent lack of privacy. However it did not appear to be a problem.
There is a gym, fitness room with spinning, spa, and mixed sauna, the last offering both clothed and unclothed areas. There are also a number of fitness classes during the day including yoga at the beach. Of course there are the usual beach sports such as volleyball and football, but it is the water sports that are the main focus of attention.
After dark the entertainment centres on the main bar where there is an open-air disco and an occasional show put on by talented staff. At the other end of the hotel the cosy No Hassle bar provides a tranquil setting for a post-dinner drink.
Sal is not the Caribbean, nor the Canaries; it’s a unique, tranquil destination offering easy access to guaranteed winter sunshine, and a great place to relax and re-charge the batteries.
Fact Box
TUI offers seven night holidays to Sal staying at the 4T ROBINSON Club Cabo Verde on an all-inclusive basis with prices. To find out more about Cape Verde holidays or to book go to tui.co.uk, visit your local TUI holiday store or download the app.
Holiday Extras offers trusted Meet and Greet parking and other services at all major UK airports. To book, call 0800 1313 777 or visit www.holidayextras.com
Sal is not the Caribbean, nor the Canaries; it’s a unique, tranquil destination offering easy access to guaranteed winter sunshine, and a great place to relax and re-charge the batteries.
Fact Box
TUI offers seven night holidays to Sal staying at the 4T ROBINSON Club Cabo Verde on an all-inclusive basis with prices. To find out more about Cape Verde holidays or to book go to tui.co.uk, visit your local TUI holiday store or download the app.
Holiday Extras offers trusted Meet and Greet parking and other services at all major UK airports. To book, call 0800 1313 777 or visit www.holidayextras.com
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