The winter climate is superb, with virtually no rain in December (2mm), seven hours of sunshine and temperatures at a steady 25C. Apart from a brief wet season from August to October, the climate is pretty similar throughout the year. This week it has been mainly sunny with temperatures in the high 20s.

A beguiling mix of beauty and truly inspiring scenery, the largely undiscovered islands of Cape Verde offer an exotic blend of sweeping landscapes and unspoilt shores that make for a truly different getaway. Swirling canvases of colour that set alight the azure blue ocean, the isles of Santo Antão, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, Nicolau, Sal, Boavista, Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava are equally breathtaking. The western islands have sweeping, mountainous landscapes with picturesque walks while the eastern isles are lush with long stretches of sands that slide seductively into glittering turquoise seas. Meeting in the middle of three continents, Cape Verde lies off the coast of Senegal bringing a rich blend of cultures from Africa, Portugal and the Americas and with it a sensational mix of salsa, samba and African tribal music. Whichever scintillating isle you choose, you can choose from a host of sports, water sports and sightseeing, or simply lie back on duvet soft sands and soak up the glorious sun that spreads its warmth all year round.