Cape Verde Travel

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Gateway to Fogo, Brava and Maio
Historical Centre with an Agricultural Heart

Cape Verde’s largest 'gateway' island with its international airport is home to the capital Praia – distinctly African, noisy, crowded and bustling in the the city centre with its African markets.

Cidade Velha lies a short distance from Praia, once the illustrious Portuguese capital of Cape Verde, with a grand cathedral and a magnificent fort. The history of the island is continued in the village with its carefully prepared museum. Cidade Velha’s fortunes were built on the slave trade between African, Americans and Europeans.

For over 200 years merchant galleons visited Santiago to barter and buy manpower imported from West Africa. Captain Cook, Sir Francis Drake and Vasco de Gama also docked in Cidade on their voyages of discovery. Archaeologists are currently exploring a 14th century Jesuit college, further evidence of Cidade’s rich history and historical importance.

A circular tour of the island can be completed in a day, although two is recommended to take everything in. The island has a mountainous interior with two large mountain chains, the highest point being Pico d’Antonia at 1392m.The centre of Santiago is fertile and farming is evident, bananas, papaya and maize thrive here; seeing the occasional wind-powered wells. There are also some excellent botanical gardens and a bustling African market in Assomada, the central island city.

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On the north coast the pretty fishing village of Tarrafal is well worth a visit. Here the villagers crowd round fishing boats, bartering for the best of the catch – one senses little has changed for centuries. Call at the former concentration camp known as 'Campo da morte lenta' (slow death camp) to some; 'Aldeia da morte' (death village) to others. It brings back a stark feeling of the former colonial regime. A visit tells it's own story.

Activities :

Cidade Velha - the old city of Praia
Located 15 km from the city of Praia, Cidade Velha was the home of the port where many slaves were traded along with other goods. With cobbled, narrow walkways and stone family cottages this scenic area is overshadowed by the remains of the old fortress and the former Cathedral. The S. Filipe fortress was built at the end of the 15th century and from here there are exceptional views over Cidade Velha and the coastline.

It is also worth visiting the local Catholic Church and taking a peaceful walk to admire the hillside vegetation. The grogue making equipment commands a photograph! Returning back to Praia, an informal visit to the first University of the Cape Verde Islands may be interesting.

National Maritime Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde Located in Praia, this museum of marine archaeology houses a display of treasure retrieved from the various shipwrecks around the archipelago of the Cape Verde Islands. Well worth a visit.

Address : Rua da Alfandega 3, Cha de Areia, Praia

Visit Sao Jorge, Sao Domingo, Tarrafal and other fertile landscapes. Relax by the pool at one of the international hotels. Shopping for those essential goods. Tasting the local dishes including fresh tuna and the famous 'cachupa' (choose from the rich man's or poor man's version!) Many places of entertaiment and Cape Verdean music.

Tours
Half Day Cidade Velha - Full Day Tarrafal - Full Day Rui Vaz - Full day Sao Jorge & Cidade Velha