7 Night The Many Faces of Cape Verde Cruise from Mindelo

From Mindelo, the cultural capital of Cape Verde and the hometown of the legendary Cesaria Evora, you will be able to travel to the neighboring island of Santo Antao. On the horizon, the island's sharp contours, a result of volcanic activity in the region, rise out of the Atlantic Ocean. Long deemed impassable, Santo Antao has been partially tamed by man who successfully adapted to the mountain chain that crosses it, in particular by establishing terraced farming there. This unique form of agriculture gives the island an extraordinary beauty which blends in with its wild nature, at times lush, at times mineral. With its deep valleys and jagged peaks, the territory offers stunning panoramas that promise unforgettable memories.

The island of Sao Nicolau is a dramatic sight with steep, richly forested mountains that reach their peak at Mt. Gordo. Near the summit, the island's attractive capital, Ribeira Brava, nestles in a deep green valley. Not far off, you can hike along the mountain paths of Faja, where you'll see rare and extremely old dragon trees growing naturally on the high plateaux. Coastal landmarks include the peaceful Tarrafal beach and the picturesque fishing village of Preguica.

The third-largest island in the Cape Verde archipelago, Boa Vista offers visitors stunning white-sand beaches and emerald water. Dubbed "the sand dune island", it is particularly well-known for its wild, desert landscapes that are windswept all year round. Sand dunes, oases, and arid plains form the landscape of this small stretch of land that is barely 20 miles long. Make the most of your stop here by experiencing the joy of swimming amid abundant marine life.

The capital of Cape Verde, Praia, is located on the southern tip of Sao Tiago island. You can dally in the districts planted with tamarind and albizia trees. Above the harbour, the statue of Diogo Gomes pays homage to the man who discovered Cape Verde in 1460. A few streets away, in the old centre, the Ethnographic Museum presents the diversity of the archipelago's cultural origins. Its historical building with transom windows is one of the city's more unusual curiosities.

Discovered in 1460 in the month of May, as its Portuguese name indicates, Maio lies east of Santiago in the Cape Verde archipelago. At the southwestern end of the island, you will discover the city of Porto Ingles, also known as Vila do Maio, where the pastel houses nestle against rounded hillsides. This port city played a pivotal role in the export of salt by the English in the 17th century. Overlooking the city, the fortress built in the 18th century as protection against pirate attacks still bears traces of its turbulent past. The long beaches of white sand that edge the island are now an invitation to enjoy the peace and serenity.

Lying west of Praia, the volcanic island of Fogo is Cape Verde's highest landmark. The foothills of Pico do Fogo are ideal for hiking, with an immense caldera surrounding the active crater. Trails start at the little town of Cha das Caldeiras and you can see recent lava flows and older ones sprouting with new growth. Along the rocky coastline, you'll come across picturesque Mosteiros and the historic town of Sao Filipe, where elegant colonial houses overlook the Atlantic.

Set on the shores of the Porto Grande Bay on the north-west coast of Sao Vicente, Mindelo is considered to be Cape Verde's cultural capital. Here in singer Cesaria Evora's homeland, you can listen to real morna in the bars of the old town, where you can also sip the local grog, a Cape Verdian sugarcane spirit. A few streets from the elegant floating resort of Pont d'Agua you'll see the pastel-coloured houses and colonial buildings of the historical district. Other landmarks are the facades of the old Governor's Palace and the busy municipal market.