CAPE VERDE ISLANDS

The new, thoroughly updated eighth edition of Bradt''s Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) remains the most detailed and extensive English-language guidebook available to this alluring Atlantic archipelago, described by some as ''Africa light''. Stable and peaceful, quietly isolated by its mid-Atlantic location, malaria-free and with year-round sun, Cabo Verde''s appeal to independent travellers is a natural one - with its unique island geography making it something of an adventure to navigate beyond the more conventional single-island visit of the increasing numbers of package tourists.The archipelago is diverse, particularly in terms of its tourist infrastructure. Sal and Boavista, the oldest of these volcanic islands, boast white-sand beaches that rival those anywhere in the world, and are complemented by dream windsurfing and kitesurfing opportunities, courtesy of strong breezes and powerful Atlantic waves. Consequently, these two islands attract 95% of Cape Verde''s visitors, leaving the other seven inhabited islands undeveloped - and awaiting discovery. Hikers, music fans and those curious to experience something more authentically Cabo Verdean are drawn to these seven islands. Lace up your walking boots to trek amid the jaw-dropping mountainous landscapes of Fogo or Santo Antão. Or chill, taking time out in tiny Brava or mellow Maio. Or let your internal culture-vulture revel in the fusion of African, Portuguese and Brazilian influences that courses through the cities of Praia and Mindelo, with their constant backdrop of seductive music (or February''s raucous carnival) - the aural thread that ties together these islands scattered across the mid-Atlantic.Although Sal and Boavista''s all-inclusives dominate the tourist market, they are increasingly joined by small, independently owned eco-lodges across all islands, complemented by an upswing in the quality and accessibility of traditional pensão and homestays. Throw in coffee and wine, and an authentic culture of organic food, and you have a recipe for well-catered relaxation. So, whether you are a winter sunseeker craving beach-based downtime or an ecotourist looking for nesting loggerhead turtles and birds found nowhere else, an Africa afficionado or a digital nomad enticed by new long-stay visas, Bradt''s Cabo Verde provides the perfect guide to getting the most out of these unexpectedly rewarding islands.