The Cape Verde Islands are a wonderful blend of Portuguese and West African influences with European-style architecture mingling alongside traditional African scenery. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa, Cape Verde has a population of approximately 500,000 people who predominantly speak Portuguese and many of whom are located in Cidade de Praia the capital city. Made up of ten volcanic islands and five tiny islets, Cape Verde combines spectacular mountain ranges with deserted beaches. Each individual island has its own character, from lush and lively Santiago to the quiet diving islet of Boa Vista. The Island has some of the best windsurfing conditions in the world and music is a key component of life with many exuberant carnivals being staged.

Visitors should brace themselves with lightweight clothing throughout the year since the climate is generally temperate, and rainfall is very low. One good thing about this island is that getting around has been conveniently enabled by the presence of reliable internal flights, daily ferry services and cargo ships or mini buses, taxis, buses or car hire.

Being a major tourist destination, a range of accommodation is increasing rapidly. There are large international chain hotels on the main islands, while there are several beach resorts in Sal. Alternatively, make yourself comfortable in the beach huts or pensions on the smaller islands. Booking in advance is highly recommended especially during the high seasons.

Don't hesitate to have a taste of food and drinks served here which is an enticing mixture of Creole, Portuguese and African flavours. Enjoy a wealth of seafood which is often cooked straight from the sea. You could get some national specialities which consist of canja (a thick chicken soup), catchupa (a slow boiled stew of corn, beans and vegetables), and fruits (zimbrao, cocos, marmelos and tambarinas). These quality restaurants also serve a variety of national drinks like aquardiente (sugar cane rum), manecome (local wine from Fogo) and a San Antao liqueur made from coffee, cinnamon, fig leaf, peppermint, orange or lime.

Based on traditional live music and dance, Cape Verde's nightlife is one that should never be neglected. It's impossible to wander round at night and not hear locals playing ?morna? music- a combination of guitars, violins and lovelorn lyrics. Nightclubs are mainly found in the big hotels, although a number of local bars sell beer and rum on the islands.

During your stay, explore the famous salt mines of Sal after which the island is named; listen to live music on Sao Vicente; learn how to surf or water ski at some of the best waves in the world; sample Cape Verde's rum or grog produced on Santo Antao; join the inhabitants in dancing bare feet on the beach or go scuba diving around Sal's amazing underwater world.

You could also wander around Cidade Velha in Santiago which is a world heritage site; trek around the diverse islands like Fogo and Boa Vista; bask on some pristine beaches, the best being Sal and Sao Nicolau; go bird watching where you'll see rare and unique species or do some shopping in the local markets where you'll get great handicrafts which could be quite expensive since most are imported. Cape Verde offers a trouble free tourist destination but you ought to be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks.