WINTER holidays are becoming more and more popular with Brits looking to escape the dark days and cold weather.
However, there is one little known location that is a mid-haul flight from the UK, where the weather is great all winter.
Cape Verde is an archipelago and island country in the central Atlantic Ocean, just off the west coast of Africa.
It takes around five or six hours to fly there direct from the UK, or a couple hours more if you have to change.
It's considered a safe country to visit, with crimes involving Brits "generally low" according to government advice.
If you have a British passport, you can enter Cape Verde as a visitor for up to 30 days without a visa.
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During the colder months, there are average highs between 25 and 27C, making it a perfect winter destination.
These are the best islands to visit in Cape Verde.
Sal
Sal is one of the country's most popular islands, with miles and miles of sandy beaches, great nightlife and affordable restaurants.
Kite beach is also very popular with tourists visiting to see the kite surfers, while they can also see the Buracona or Blue Eye – beautiful shimmering blue waters naturally formed in the island's coastal lava pools.
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Holidaymakers can float in salt mine waters located in an extinct volcano crater, as well as learning about sea turtle conservation on the island, with several projects ongoing.
Santo Antão
Some people consider Santo Antão the most visually impressive of Cape Verde's islands.
However, it is still described as a "hidden gem" because few people choose to visit it each year.
It has towering green peaks and fertile craters that meet cliff-hanging towns, making it perfect for hiking and climbing.
It's also considered a great island for those looking to explore by car, with scenic coastal roads providing access to picturesque ravines and gorges.
Fogo
Website Cape Verde Experience describes a visit to the volcanic island of Fogo as "a humbling experience".
The scenery looks similar to that on the moon, while hiking up to the top of the volcano is also possible for tourists.
The average annual temperature on the coast at Fogo is about 23–25C, but that goes down to around 12–14C on the highest ground.
Boa Vista
Humpback whales and loggerhead turtles are frequently seen on the beachy island of Boa Vista.
There's crystal clear waters which are perfect for diving and snorkelling, while windsurfing and deep-sea fishing are also popular activities.
It has vast stretches of untouched sandy beaches, while the interior of the island is a desert landscape with stunning views.
São Vicente
São Vicente is one of the Barlavento Islands, the northern group of Cape Verde's islands.
It is described as the "cultural heart" of the country, especially the city of Mindelo.
There are museums, beautiful beaches and Portuguese architecture to look at, while the interior of the island has stunning mountain landscapes.
The average annual temperature in Mindelo is 23.6C, while the island only has 127mm of average annual rainfall.
What are the best Cape Verde holiday deals?
TUI is the only UK operator offering direct flights, and you can fly from London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham.
There are some bargain deals right now, with all-inclusive package holidays from £696pp for a week with return flights, working out to £99pp a night.
Another great deal we've found is a week-long stay at the Hotel Riu Touareg in Boa Vista, costing from £769pp.
The currency is Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) – £10 is around 1255 escudo.
There are currently no Covid restrictions to enter the country.
However, your passport must have at least six months left on it on arrival to Cape Verde.
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You will also need to fill in a Traveller Pre-Registration form.
Sun Online Travel recently travelled to Cape Verde – here is what you can expect from a holiday to the islands.
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