Cape Verde - Zöld-Foki szigetek útikönyv - Bradt útikönyv

This new edition reflects the many changes since the previous one, including the introduction of charter flights from the UK to Sal and the first casino-hotel on Sal, as well as providing full information on how to make the most of the less developed islands away from the main tourist hotspots.
Stable and peaceful, quietly isolated by its mid-Atlantic location, Cape Verde continues to grow economically and to develop its tourist infrastructure at a leisurely pace. With few natural resources, the islands are heavily dependent on imports, foreign remittances and still to some extent on foreign aid. The reduction in the latter has heightened the focus on the importance of tourism as an economic driver and visitor numbers continue to rise. Year-round sunshine makes Cape Verde a particularly appealing destination.
The archipelago is diverse, particularly in terms of its tourist infrastructure. Sal and Boavista, the oldest of these volcanic islands are flat with white-sand beaches that rival anything in the world. Consequently, they attract 95% of Cape Verde's visitors, leaving the other seven inhabited islands undeveloped. Hikers and those curious to discover something authentic are drawn to them, spending their time walking amongst the jaw-dropping mountainous landscapes of Fogo or Santo Antão, taking some true time-out in tiny Brava or mellow Maio or enjoying the cultural fusion of African, Portuguese and Brazilian influences in the cities of Praia and Mindelo. The adventurous will find adrenalin rushing as they profit from windsurfing and kitesurfing opportunities, fuelled by strong breezes and Atlantic waves, while for culture, Mindelo is the attraction with a constant backdrop of seductive music, the thread which ties together the islands scattered across the mid-Atlantic.

Contents

Introduction

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1 Background Information

Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture

Chapter 2 Practical Information

When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies and consulates, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Focus on specific groups, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Media and communications, Living and working in Cape Verde, Business, Buying property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively

PART TWO THE GUIDE

Chapter 3 Sal

Highlights and lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, eat and drink, Excursions and tour operators, Activities, Espargos, Murdeira, Santa Maria das Dores, Other places to visit, Hikes

Chapter 4 Boavista

Highlights and lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, eat and drink, Excursions and tour operators, Activities, Sal Rei, Other places to visit, Hikes

Chapter 5 Santiago

Highlights and lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, eat and drink, Excursions and tour operators, Activities, Praia, Cidade Velha, Sao Domingos, Assomada, Serra Malagueta, Tarrafal, Other places to visit, Hikes

Chapter 6 Maio

Highlights and lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, eat and drink, Excursions and tour operators, Activities, Cidade do Porto Ingles (Vila do Maio), Other places to visit

Chapter 7 Fogo

Highlights and lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, eat and drink, Excursions and tour operators, Activities, Sao Filipe, Cha das Caldeiras, The east-coast road to Mosteiros, Mosteiros, Other places to visit, Hikes

Chapter 8 Brava

Highlights and lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, eat and drink, Excursions and tour operators, Activities, Furna, Vila Nova Sintra, Faja d’Agua, Other places to visit, Drives, Hikes

Chapter 9 São Vicente

Highlights and lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, eat and drink, Excursions and tour operators, Activities, Mindelo, Other places to visit

Chapter 10 Santo Antão

Highlights and lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, eat and drink, Excursions and tour operators, Activities, The East, The West, Hikes

Chapter 11 São Nicolau

Highlights and lowlights, Background information, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, eat and drink, Excursions and tour operators, Activities, Ribeira Brava, Around Ribeira Brava, Tarrafal, North of Tarrafal, South of Ribeira Brava, The East, Hikes, Raso and Branco

Appendix 1 Language

Appendix 2 Further Information

Index

Index of highlighted boxes