Holiday Reviews 2007- 2009

 'What a place - we really enjoyed ourselves! Boavista and the Migrante guesthouse were both wonderful, everything just great...people, beaches, accommodation, food. The highlight was Fogo, especially Cha Das Caldeiras. The climb up the Big Pico with guide was hard but so rewarding. I found the warmth of the children in the two villages just amazing, they even taught me a few Creole words! The photos I have of a whole group of them with us I'll treasure. Despite no hot water at the Pousada Pedra Brabo, the French owner Patrick made us so welcome. So all together we had a really memorable holiday, for which we must thank you very much. Your suggestions for our itinerary were well made'

'Our holiday was absolutely fantastic, a real adventure - and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Hotel Odjo D'Agua was a good choice because of superb service, very short walk to shops and restaurants, the only hotel we saw with it's own private beach which is entirely sheltered from the wind. We can really recommend this hotel and its restaurant. There is some building work beside the hotel at the moment - we didn't find this at all intrusive and it doesn't impede access along the beach. Tino was very efficient and helpful on a day island tour of Sal - a great day out. All in all we had a great time - many thanks to you and your team'

'Thank you to you and your team for putting together a super itinerary. You asked us what we wanted and you gave us exactly that. We were able to experience the real Cape Verde as well as the beach resorts. The choice of hotels and pensions were good and it all went like clockwork, with the seven domestic flights, transfers and ferry crossings'

'Our recent holiday was indeed a holiday with a difference. We have returned from an exceptional two week break in May, visiting six of the ten Cape Verde islands. Each island was different - ranging from rolling sand dunes on Boavista and a volcanic mountain on Fogo, to stupendous mountain scenery on Santo Antao. The tour proved to be very enjoyable with the added dimension provided by the leader, the proprietor of Cape Verde travel, Mr Ron Hughes. Wherever we went 'Mr Ron', as he was known locally, was warmly greeted by the locals. He also provided us with a sympathetic insight into the lives of the people as well as the country's history. This we have never experienced before to such a degree. The weather was excellent, hotels all different but good and 'Mr Ron' knew the best places to eat, even to sampling the local dish 'cachupa'. It was a holiday we would warmly recommend'

'We can't thank you enough for the fantastic holiday which you organised for us in Nov/Dec.  Our visit had everything we had hoped for - trekking, nature, scenery, history, culture, but most of all the opportunity to meet the people of the islands in their everyday life, rather than in a tourist resort. Our favourite island was Brava.  The ferry (a fishing boat, the Monte Branco) was unforgettable.  On the return journey we took the precaution of sitting in the "lifeboat" to avoid the vomit of seasick islanders sloshing across the decks.  Dare you to quote that in your brochure!  The ferry was however on time and operated very efficiently.  José's accommodation (although we didn't always have electricity or hot water) in Faja d'Agua was one of the highlights of the whole holiday - breakfasting and dining alone on the terrace overlooking the bay and the coconut grove. Qualitur was a very smooth operation and looked after us above and beyond the call of duty, telephoning in the evening to check that everything was O.K. and to keep us up to date on arrangements.  We reached the top of the Pico de Fogo thanks to an excellent guide, Paulo.  Everything about the Hotel Xaguate was excellent - pool, room, view of Brava, choice of meals.  Reception there also organised a taxi to take us on an island tour and to transport us to the starting point of a walk. Walking on Santo Antao was all that the guide books claimed for it - sensational views, well-made paths and friendly locals who were happy to show us the way.  Finding a public aluguer from Ribeira Grande to the summits was impossible, so we had to pay taxi prices - it was still worth it!  Ponta do Sol had very good facilities ATM, choice of restaurants, shops for picnics and a western style supermarket that opened the day before we left. Por do Sol on Santiago had the most varied menu of anywhere we visited.  Accommodation, pool and views were excellent, but it was a bit remote as a base to visit the rest of the island.  Paulino took us on an island tour and arranged for us to hike in the Serra da Malagueta with a park guide. It was a master stroke on your part to put us on Sao Nicolau on St Nicholas' Day - horse-racing in the ribeira, bands and too much grogue being drunk.  We loved the Pension Santo Antonio with its café used by locals and shop downstairs.  Choosing wine for dinner meant Manuel popping next door to see what was on the shelf.  The position on the main square was excellent - market, aluguers, shops and CATV office within easy reach.  The highlight was the last night when Manuel closed the café, put all his guests and relations into an aluguer and took us out to dinner to celebrate his birthday in some style - lobster and curried lobster as part of a buffet meal and live Cape Verdean music.  A real night to remember. As anticipated, Sal was not to our taste, although the hotel room was very pleasant. TACV performed much better than expected.  Only the Fogo flight times were changed - everything else went according to schedule.  On the one occasion the Fogo - Santiago flight was delayed we were bussed into town for a free lunch (though the lady with the tuna tub on her head had to be called in). We were surprised that we were able to walk so freely in the countryside without concern for our safety.  It was a truly African experience without the inconvenience of malaria, snakes, carnivores and begging.  We genuinely felt that we had begun to understand the island people and their way of life.  Someone described them to us as poor but happy. Once again, many thanks.'

' We are writing to say how much we enjoyed our recent holiday on Boavista; first at Hotel Parque Das Dunas and the second week at Venta Club Resort. As you mentioned, the building work at Hotel Parque Das Dunas did not intrude in any way, the food was very good and we had a lovely room opening out onto the beach. The staff were very helpful and we would go there again. Venta club Resort, a much larger complex, was different again, but equally enjoyable and we couldn't fault that either. Thank you for your helpful advice in booking this holiday.'

'Ron - I feel I know you - as your name was mentioned often as "ladies of a certain age" went travelliing in the Cape Verde islands. I felt I must write and thank you and your office staff for all the planning that went into our trip. We had a really stimulating and interesting time - I only hope that the islands will benefit from the increasing holiday trade, but feel that others will gain more - especially "foreigners" who we heard were building on at least Sao Vicente, near the Hotel Foya Branca - hope the area doesn't finish up like Sal (I thought the resort was totally, totally ruined by incomers and local life was going). I thought the villages and life on Santo Antao was a real view of the locals - and although one of our party wasn't happy with the Hotel Bluebell, for goodness sake, it was a palace in that area. The harbour could have been watched all day, so much going on. I could highlight more and can understand how much you must feel for for the area. Thanks you and all your staff for all your help while we were away.'