Latest news with #CapeVerde
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
I'm a travel agent - the world's most overrated tourist destination is like visiting a motorway petrol station
It can often be tricky when trying to find a new destination to discover. But a travel agent – who has been jet-setting around the world for the last 30 years - has revealed the places he wouldn't recommend anyone going to visit. Carlos Lavilla, who works for Turama, took to the Spanish holiday company's TikTok to warn the account's 29.7k followers of the 'five tourist destinations that, as a professional travel agent, [he] considers to be the most overrated', and that he 'doesn't usually recommend to [his] customers'. The country in fifth place, for Carlos, is Cape Verde – an archipelago, made up of 10 volcanic islands, in West Africa. Last year, Cape Verde welcomed a record 1.2 million tourists – but Carlos insists it's no replacement for Spain 's Canary Islands. Speaking in Spanish, he says: 'In my opinion, travelling to Cape Verde as an alternative to the Canary Islands is like buying a Fiat Panda thinking you're getting a Ferrari F40. 'No matter how you try to dress it up, there's simply no comparison.' In fourth place was Johannesburg - one of the largest cities in South Africa, and home to plenty of wildlife safaris, as well as the Apartheid Museum. Taking about Johannesburg, South Africa, Carlos says: 'You'll be able to say you were robbed in one of the ugliest cities on Earth' Although many tourists love it there, according to Statista, between 2022 and 2023, Johannesburg experienced more contact crime incidents than any other city – mainly consisting of common assaults. And it's the high crime rate that leaves a sour taste for Carlos, who sneers: 'You'll be able to say you were robbed in one of the ugliest cities on Earth.' Many will be surprised to hear that it's Hawaii in third place on Carlos' list. The reason? There are far 'more interesting' yet similar destinations, says Carlos. He continues: 'With a couple of honourable exceptions (which do exist), Hawaii is the ideal destination for an American retiree, over 70, who has a collection of shirts at home that he doesn't dare to wear anywhere else. 'If that's not your case, I assure you there are much more interesting and far less predictable alternatives.' Next up is South Korea, a country which is predicted to welcome more than 20 million tourists in 2025 – a record-breaking number. But Carlos says you shouldn't bother. He explains: 'South Korea is excessively expensive for what it offers. The treatment of foreign tourists leaves much to be desired. 'I find it bland, insipid, and rather sad. You may return home shrouded in a great depression.' The most overrated destination in the world, for Carlos, is Doha, Qatar – which welcomed a record-breaking 1.5 million international tourists in the first three months of 2025. Despite this, Carlos says visiting Doha is like visiting a 'petrol station in the middle of a motorway'. He adds: 'It's a place where you stop briefly to relieve yourself, grab a quick bite, rest for a few minutes, and then carry on. There's nothing more to it.'
Times
6 days ago
- Times
9 of the best hotels on Boa Vista
The easternmost island of Cape Verde is a little more tranquil than its smaller sister, Sal, and has a strong focus on eco-friendly and boutique accommodation. Beaches are its main allure, along with striking nature reserves and turtle nesting sites, but you'll also want to come for its rolling desert dunes, historic shipwrecks and touches of tradition. Clay is a big deal here and relics of the ceramics industry can be seen in the old chimney stack on Chaves beach, while local artisans can be seen at work in the town of Rabil. These are some of the best hotels in which to base yourself during a stay on Boa Vista. • Best for romance: Guest House Fusion Villa • Best for adults-only relaxation: Hotel Riu Karamboa• Best for getting back to nature: Spinguera Ecolodge • Best for serenity: AHG Marine Club Beach Resort This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue £ | POOL | Best for romance A ten-minute drive from Sal Rei, this hotel — featuring six Maldives-style thatched villas — is easily one of the most romantic places to stay on the island. The pool is a highlight, wending its way around the curved stone villas, which each sleep two. Inside, the decor is stylish and low-key, with bleached beechwood arches and mirrored patio doors that maintain privacy, while individual balconies let the light flood in. • More of the best hotels in Cape Verde £ | Best for beach bums These chic beach bungalows, best suited to couples, come with spacious decked terraces so you can relax under the palm trees in complete privacy. Each room, decorated in calming colours with natural materials, feels spacious thanks to generous patio doors that open to the beach. A short walk along the sand is Perola d'Chaves, a vibey Caribbean-themed bar that is a good spot for beach barbecues and sundowners — it's so popular that other hotels lay on transport for guests. £ | Best for getting back to nature A stay at this magical ecolodge on the protected Norte Natural Park, on the northern shores of Boa Vista, is your chance to experience a wilder side of the island. The old fishing and farming village has been transformed into a set of airy, simplistic bedrooms and sandstone villas, sandwiched between desert and sea. There are plenty of sustainability ticks too: hot water is solar powered, the hair dryers have low energy consumption and the food is locally sourced where possible. • Which is the best Cape Verde island? Here's how to choose ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for getting away from it all It is easy to feel as though you are staying at your own remote desert oasis at Riu Touareg, in a plum position on the wide expanse of Lacacao beach. Next door you'll find Santa Monica — another glorious sandy strip. The hotel is all-inclusive and — while large, with more than 1,100 rooms — feels spacious, with palm-lined promenades, grand arches and soothing water features, as well as three saltwater pools tucked into beautiful gardens. • Discover our full guide to Cape Verde £ | Best for rooftop views This no-frills pad is suited to those on a budget: far enough from the centre of Sal Rei to be fairly peaceful but close enough to access the city by foot. Guests can soak in the rooftop hot tub, which commands panoramic views of Estoril beach and the uninhabited Sal Rei Islet across the channel. Rooms are colourful and contemporary, with blackout curtains to keep the sun from interrupting post-cocktail slumbers, and the ferry port is a 20-minute walk away, making it a convenient base for exploring the other islands too. £ | POOL | Best for serenity Marine Club Beach Resort stands on a serene rocky cove just north of Sal Rei and has magical views of the bay. It's designed to feel like a mini village and, while rooms are simplistic, there's a small amphitheatre where entertainment is provided most evenings. The town is a 20-minute wander away. All in all, it's the perfect place for those in search of somewhere quiet to kick back near the beach. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for adults-only relaxation Grand turquoise domes, bright white turrets and grounds lined with elegant mosaic pools reflecting rustling palm trees give this hotel a sultan-like style. It's surrounded by calming, windswept dunes, and guests can pad along the dramatic sandy stretch of Salines beach, which leads to a clutch of shops selling arts and crafts, sarongs and scuba equipment. Unusually for an adults-only resort, the hotel also includes a water park, so you can be a big kid without worrying about the little ones. £ | Best for authenticity Canary-coloured Orquidea, tucked away in a sandy corner of Estoril beach, is one of the most authentic places to stay on the island. Food is a family affair, as guests tuck into homemade guava jam at breakfast, taken in a palm-dappled courtyard. For dinner it's a ten-minute wander to Sodade, a well-regarded restaurant with a museum run by the owner's daughter. Rooms are great value and it is worth plumping for the superior option, with a balcony where you can kick back in a hammock overlooking the bay. £ | SPA | POOL | Best for familiesDirectly above Chaves beach, one of best stretches of sand on the island, the curvy, colourful Occidental (formerly the Royal Horizon) has a distinctive Mediterranean feel in its rustic terraces and terracotta-coloured villas, most of which come with knockout ocean views. Should you want to keep fit, there are regular free aerobics, aquafit and archery classes, as well as a kids' club and live music most evenings. • Is it safe to visit Cape Verde? Everything to know after holiday illness claims• Best things to do in Cape Verde Have you visited Cape Verde? Share your favourite spots in the comments
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Cockermouth holidaymaker suing TUI over quad bike crash
A father-of-three is suing holiday provider TUI at the High Court after he claims a quad bike crash left him feeling as though he was "not the same person".Tony Holliday, 57, who lives near Cockermouth in Cumbria, needed operations after the bike crashed into rocks while on holiday in Cape Verde in is seeking £500,000 in damages claiming the excursion, which was provided as compensation for lost luggage, was misrepresented as suitable for beginners and did not have adequate safety is understood to be opposing the claim and is due to file its defence later this year. Mr Holliday said he needed two operations on his fractured right leg and also suffered head, shoulder and hand injuries, after he was thrown from the vehicle."I'm not the same person I was. I have anxiety, I struggle sleeping at night, going over the same accident, or similar events like that," he told the PA news agency. 'Inadequate instruction' The family flew to Sal, Cape Verde, on 1 March 2023 for a week-long holiday costing £4, court documents filed by law firm Stewarts, which is representing Mr Holliday, Sarah Prager KC said that on arrival, the family found their luggage had been lost, although it was later then found their rooms "smelled very strongly of sewage", and replacement rooms were Prager said TUI representatives offered a free excursion to compensate and recommended quad biking, claiming this was "suitable for total beginners".She said the accident was caused by the route being "unsuitable for beginners", Mr Holliday and his family being given "wholly inadequate instructions", and the quad bike being "defective". A spokesperson for TUI said: "We are sorry that Mr Holliday was injured during his holiday to Cape Verde."As this is now a legal matter, we are unable to comment any further at this time." Additional reporting by PA Media. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Daily Mail
I travelled on easyJet's longest flight - here's the travel accessory that made it feel much quicker
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more This March, easyJet launched their longest ever flight path from England: a six-hour, 2,400 mile flight between London, Gatwick and Sal, one of Cape Verde's 10 islands on the west coast of Africa. But despite its extended length, this new route is as affordable as many of easyJet's European destinations: prices start at just £113 one-way. The catch? The flight is carried out by the same planes that fly short-haul - meaning passengers are without in-flight entertainment, WiFi or even power sockets during these six hours. Wanting to find out whether the azure waters and marine life of this Sub-Saharan spot really are worth the journey, I braved the long-haul budget flight myself last week. Here's everything I took onboard to keep myself entertained and comfortable at 30,000 feet. MyHalos 100% Blackout Sleep Mask This blackout eyemask has seriously changed the game for me when it comes to sleeping - whether I'm flying halfway across the world, or just sleeping at home! With soft fabric suitable for dry eyes and a memory foam cushioning, it's the easiest way to block out the world and catch forty winks while 30,000ft in the air. £9.99 Shop Alpine SleepDeep There's nothing worse than getting stuck on a long-haul flight with a screaming baby, or a rowdy group of 'lads on tour'. These oval-shaped earplugs help to block out any surrounding noise, so you can sleep peacefully all the way to your destination. They stay firmly in place however you sleep, and are guaranteed 100 uses. £11.00 Shop MyTravelPal 20W Worldwide Travel Adaptor with USB C A travel adapter is an absolute must if you're going abroad. It fits any plug sockets around the world, and also has two USB ports, a slot for USB-C cables, and built-in USB-C cable, so you can charge five different devices at the same time. £23.99 Shop Owala FreeSip Bottle I've always got my water bottle handy, but I'm especially sure to have a well-sized one on a long-haul flight. I love this Owala FreeSip bottle, which comes in a whole host of colours. It has a straw, too, so there are no dangers of turbulence-induced spillages! £23-36.99 Shop Anker Nano Power Bank Being an EasyJet plane, there were no plug sockets to use on my journey to Sal. This Anker Power Bank was a game-changer - and it's perfectly pocket-sized, too! £19.98 Shop EarFun Wave Pro Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones As a music lover, a six-hour flight is an unbeatable opportunity to catch up on all the best new albums, totally uninterrupted. These over-the-head headphones are my go-to: they're comfortable, great value for money andgreat for noise cancelling, too. £59.99 Shop Amazon Kindle While I love read paperbooks, there's no denying that a Kindle is a must on holiday. Plus, it conceals the more trashy books I indulge in on holiday. Lightweight and with a remarkably good battery life, I can always rely on my kindle to help while away the hours of a long-haul flight. £94.99 Shop GYMSHARK OVERSIZED HOODIE No matter the temperature on the ground, I always seem to get cold under the blast of plane aircon. This Gymshark hoodie is my favourite for flights, and proved particularly handy for snuggling up and snoozing all the way to Sal. . £50 Shop TRTL TRAVEL PILLOW I'm very grateful that I can fall asleep on planes fairly easily - but this TRTL neck pillow was a serious level up when it came to my airborne naps. It's easy to wash, super light and the best neck pillow I've come across yet. . £49.99 Shop
The Independent
12-07-2025
- The Independent
Father-of-three suing Tui at High Court over quad bike crash ‘not same person'
A father-of-three who is suing holiday provider Tui at the High Court after a quad bike crash is 'not the same person' after the incident, and the pain he suffers can be 'unbearable', he has said. Tony Holliday, 57, needed two operations on his fractured right leg and also suffered head, shoulder and hand injuries, after his quad bike crashed into rocks and he was thrown from the vehicle while on holiday in Cape Verde in March 2023. The property developer, who travelled to the island off the coast of west Africa with his wife, Bev, and two of his daughters, Keeley and Rhianna, now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. He is taking legal action against Tui UK and seeking more than £500,000 in damages, claiming the quad bike excursion, which was provided as compensation for lost luggage and their original rooms smelling of sewage, was misrepresented as suitable for beginners and came without adequate safety instructions. Tui is understood to be opposing the claim and is due to file its defence at the High Court later this year. Speaking to the PA news agency from his home near Cockermouth, in the Lake District, Cumbria, Mr Holliday said: 'It has affected the full family. 'I'm not the same person I was. I have anxiety, I struggle sleeping at night, going over the same accident, or similar events like that. 'I haven't got the confidence I used to have, and I'm always worrying (about) what's going to happen next with my injury.' Mrs Holliday said: 'It's turned our lives upside down, really.' The family flew to Sal, Cape Verde, on March 1, 2023, for a week-long holiday costing £4,166.72, their first time visiting the country. In court documents filed by law firm Stewarts, which is representing Mr Holliday, Sarah Prager KC said that on arrival, the family found their luggage had been lost, although it was later found. They then found their rooms 'smelled very strongly of sewage', and replacement rooms were offered. Ms Prager said Tui representatives offered a free excursion to compensate for the issues and recommended quad biking, claiming this was 'suitable for total beginners'. She said that 'in reliance on this representation' the family booked a two-hour trip for March 6. She said Tui described the excursion online as an 'off-road adventure', an 'action-packed excursion', and 'four adrenaline-pumping hours' on 'very powerful machines'. Mr Holliday believed the excursion was provided by Tui, but later found out it was organised by a local provider. Ms Prager said that at the start of the trip, the family were shown the location of the quad bikes' ignition, accelerator, throttle and brake, and were advised to keep a five-metre distance between each other, but received no other instructions and were not offered a test drive. She said that after ascending a mountain on a volcanic trail, the family then descended, but the bikes lost grip and Mr Holliday's brakes did not work. This caused him to swerve to avoid the bike ridden by one of his daughters, he collided with rocks and was thrown from the vehicle. Ms Prager said the accident was caused by the route being 'unsuitable for beginners', Mr Holliday and his family being given 'wholly inadequate instruction', and the quad bike being 'defective'. Mr Holliday returned to the UK the next day and underwent two surgeries. His insurance provider did not cover the cost of his medical treatment and repatriation, as quad biking is considered a hazardous activity. While his right leg was saved, he continues to experience pain and discomfort, and occasionally needs crutches. He claimed he joined the excursion as he trusted the Tui brand, and was bringing legal action to raise awareness of health and safety issues on similar trips. He said: 'I just want this to stop. I think that health and safety should be a key issue. 'What we went through, had it not been for Tui's name and brand, I don't think we would have gone through with it. It was shocking.' Mr Holliday – an 'avid' runner before the crash – said he has tried to get back into the sport despite suffering from 'unbearable' pain, with his leg sometimes swelling 'like a football'. He completed a local parkrun last summer, supported by family and friends, as he described himself as 'somebody who just can't use the words where they say 'you can't, you never will''. He said: 'The surgeon said I would never run, I would never be able to walk without the limp. 'I had to prove to myself, I will fight everything to try and get there.' A spokesperson for Tui said: 'We are sorry that Mr Holliday was injured during his holiday to Cape Verde. 'As this is now a legal matter, we are unable to comment any further at this time.'
