2 BEDROOM 1 BATHROOM APARTMENT

Porto Antigo Resort is a little gem of a complex which enjoys an unrivalled location. The private fresh water pool with large decked solarium overlooks Porto Antigo's private beaches. There are plenty of sunbeds both on the beach and by the pool. One of the beaches is protected by two harbour walls which really make this very aesthetic complex a picture postcard setting - just see the pictures! Perched on one of the harbour walls is Porto Antigo’s own 'Papaya's Bar and Restaurant' which serves great food and is a perfect place to have a drink at sun set. Having everything at hand, you really are spoilt for choice but this really does make relaxing easy. If you do feel the need to venture out, you don't even have to leave the coastline. Turn right and you have five miles of unbroken beaches. This will take you past Santa Maria’s main square which is just a few minutes walk from Porto Antigo, and onto a long stretch of beach with beachclubs and watersport centres. Santa Maria has a good selection of restaurants and bars. Turn left and you have more beaches and good coastline walks.

Apartment 12 is a front line ground floor two bedroom one bathroom apartment located by the pool and just a few yards from the beach. It has great sea and beach views from the large terrace which has a table and comfortable chairs. Inside, the apartment is light, spacious and open plan. The living room has a sofa bed, wicker chairs and coffee table. There is also satellite TV and air conditioning. There is a kitchen which includes a hob, large fridge/freezer, a kettle, a toaster and plenty of cutlery and crockery for making meals. There is a large dining table. The first bedroom has a double bed and the second has two twin beds. Including the double sofa bed in the living room, this apartment can sleep up to six persons. The bathroom which has a bidet, sink and large mirror doesn’t have a bath but the shower has good pressure! Linen and bathroom towels are supplied and there is regular maid service. Please bring your own beach towels. An iron and ironing board are also supplied.

About Cape Verde Islands

Floating off the west coast of Africa, ten barefoot island paradises wait to whip your breath away. Each one is dramatically different, from bounty-like blonde sands backed by jungle-like scenery to volcanic monochrome landscapes peppered with pastel-painted towns. Yes, the beaches are mind-bogglingly gorgeous. And the colourful blend of cultures from Africa, Portugal and Brazil will have you charmed from the moment you arrive. But there's more. This far-flung holiday hotspot has yet to have gained a mass tourism following. Think the untouched Caribbean.

Beaches

Cape Verde’s bounty-like beaches instantly grab your attention. Miles of utterly breathtaking porcelain-white sands stretch as far as the eye can see, seductively sliding into glass-like seas. Santa Maria’s unspoilt seashore curves around the coastline for over 7km, so whether you want to stay close to the action near the water sports centres and beach bars or crave the solitude of the sand dunes, you can always find your own piece of paradise. Stroll along the sands and spot the island of Boavista on the horizon. Reel in a Blue Marlin or Yellowfin Tuna. Learn to windsurf across the waves. Or simply sit under the shade of a raffia-style parasol and watch an energetic game of volleyball. However you choose to unwind here - it's most definitely a desert island dream.

Eating out

The food in Cape Verde will have your taste buds tingling in no time, with an exotic mixture of African, Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine.. And if you’re a fan of seafood, you’re in for a real treat. Not only is it mouth wateringly delicious - it’s extremely reasonably too. Tuck into charcoal grilled lobster, juicy giant prawns, tasty octopus, and of course, the fresh fish catches of the day. If you’re up for giving some local specialities a go, try bife de atum, tuna marinated in spices and vinegar or bacalhau, dried cod. Other Cape Verdian specials include the national dish catchupa, a stew-like dish made from corn, beans and chorizo, particularly good with a bottle of locally produced Manecome wine. Santa Maria has an excellent selection of places to eat, from restaurants serving traditional dishes and tapas bars to pizzerias and Italian eateries.

Nightlife

Although much of Cape Verde’s nightlife is low-key and often hotel based, the local’s lively spirit comes out to play after dark. Their philosophy is ‘the more the merrier’ so whether you join them shimmying to live music at a bustling bar or sip ponche, firewater laced with honey, at a lively cafe, their energy and love of life is contagious. Infact, the more locals you talk you, the more invitations come flooding your way. Whatever you do, don’t leave without experiencing what has often been dubbed the most beautiful music on earth. The unique Cape Verdian morna music unravels seductive, upbeat Latin rhythms that will have your toes tapping and heels clicking in no time. In Santa Maria, you’ll find a serene beach bar or two where you can sit listening to the waves crash in, a good handful of vibrant pubs filled with animated tourists and locals alike or if you want to be where it’s at, head for local night hotspot ‘The Pirata’.

Shopping

Cape Verde certainly isn’t the place to shop ’til you drop, but if peeking your head around colourful doorways to see what you find sounds like your kind of retail therapy, then you’ll love shopping here. Santa Maria’s charm lies in its cobbled streets, which are buzzing with atmosphere, whether it’s children playing an impromptu game of football or upbeat music drifting from a paveside cafe. In addition to the two banks and supermarket, a delightful mixed bag of shops await you, from surf places selling beach gear to rustic makeshift shops painted in every colour of the rainbow where you can buy intricately carved wooden masks and brightly coloured canvas’ by local artists. Have a browse, and maybe a barter, at the indoor market which is bursting with jewellery, clothing and fresh produce stalls, and don’t miss the Centro de Artesanato, an arts and crafts store with shelves full of elegant ceramic pieces and leather goods.

People & Language

The people are a mixture of African and European with approximately 70% of the population being of mixed race. The official language of the islands is Portuguese, which widely spoken and used in newspapers and anything that is written. Instead they use Creole, their national language, based on African languages but with additions from several European languages. Even this can differ from island to island. More recently English has been taught as a foreign language in schools. The religion of the islands is largely Christian, with most people being Catholic.

Children

Imagine the biggest sand pit your child has ever played in! This is what awaits you in Islands such as Sal and Boa Vista with mile upon mile of bucket and spade heaven. Whilst some of the other islands may not have the beaches they will certainly prove extremely interesting for children who are looking for an adventure and those that are well travelled. Imagine them telling their school friends they spent a day exploring an active volcano!

Italian and Portuguese families have been visiting the islands for years and although there are no waterparks or child specific attractions within the islands, they will no doubt love experiencing such sights as the mirage at Terra Boa on Sal, going horse riding or even turtle spotting. Older children will be in their element if they love water sports. The culture will no doubt amaze and enthral young ones, and with the combination of Africa and Latin they are sure to experience something quite unique.

Children are adored throughout the islands and our experience has found that families form an important part of the Cape Verde way of life. The weather is also better suited to children that many destinations in the Mediterranean, due to the constant Atlantic breezes and relatively low humidity.

Weather

Idyllic year round temperatures in the high twenties and virtually no rain makes the Islands the ideal getaway whatever the time of year. Their privileged position in the Atlantic means they enjoy fairly constant cooling breezes which keep the atmosphere almost free from humidity. Rainfall is minimal throughout the year and is most likely to occur during the months of July and October.

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