Perched off the east coast of Africa, Cape Verde is close enough to be accessible, but far enough away to be truly exotic.

A group of 10 islands, each has their own specific identity and even micro climate – and you can reach them in just over five hours from British airports.

High season is from September to March and it's fast becoming a winter sun 'go to' destination with low season running from April to August.

You’ll also need a €25 visa which can be bought when you land, or online before you get there.

We were guests of Melia Llana beach resort on the island of Sal, where you’d find everything from poolside luxury to edge of your seat adrenaline adventures.

It’s an emerging tourist destination so get in there quick – and here a few ideas to get you started.

Oh and if you're after more inspiration, you can find more brilliant ideas for holiday in Africa here.

Go kite surfing

Kite surfing is ideal for those who seek a little holiday adventure (
Image:
YHI Spa)

This is one of the country’s unique selling points. Due to the their mid Atlantic positioning, the islands are breezy and also boast wide sandy beaches – ideal for the adrenaline-rich sport of kite surfing, where the wind takes your kite-sail and drags you over the waves on a specially-made board.

But don’t expect to get out there straight away. Kite-surfing takes time and you’ll need some lessons about controlling your kite before you even think about getting on the water.

However for those able to get the hang of it (pardon the pun), kite-surfing is exhilarating and Cape Verde is one of the very best places to master the art.

Prices are approximately €30 for two hour taster lessons but other more complete packages are available.

Lounge around in luxury

The Melia Llana is five-star accommodation that caters for everything (
Image:
Andy Gilpin/Trinity Mirror)

While exotic and developing, Cape Verde has the top-level hotels to rival the more developed tourist destinations.

The Melia Llana - Llana is the old name for the island - beach resort is five-star luxury where you never have to leave the complex, with a wide-range of different restaurants from the obligatory hot buffet to an Italian restaurant and a truly amazing sushi experience.

On top of the great food and friendly service there are also private pools for many of the villas so you'll never have to venture too far.

An upgrade to ‘The Level’ will give you access to a private area with fantastic drinks and food and that extra-special service.

You should really leave the complex and explore – but this will make it harder for you to muster the will. Especially when you have everything you need so close to your sun lounger.

Nights at the Melia Llana cost from €206 a night all inclusive in low season and up to €270 in high season.

An upgrade to The Level will cost €30-€50 per day.

Go fish

Go hunting fresh tuna and marlin on the high seas (
Image:
Andy Gilpin/Trinity Mirror)

With fresh tuna the catch of the day, there’s nothing like speeding around the crystal blue waters looking for that big haul.

You may well see a flying fish or even a giant turtle on the way as the crew regale you with stories of sharks - which thankfully we didn't come across.

This isn’t for the faint-hearted though. The sometimes choppy waters mean you will need your sea legs to really enjoy the whistle-stop tour among the island’s premium fishing hot-spots.

It’s €300 for six people for six hours – and you can keep what you catch.

Get fresh

Fresh produce is delivered onto the Santa Maria pier at 11am each day (
Image:
Andy Gilpin/Trinity Mirror)

Haven’t caught much of your own? Well pop down to the pier on at 11am and see what the professionals have mustered.

The stunning fishing village of Santa Maria, at the very southern tip of the island, has the very freshest produce that is literally still flapping for life before making its way to the many restaurants and resorts.

There’s fresh succulent tuna, marlin and, er, pig fish aplenty (don’t get your hopes up on that last one).

Wash it down with one of the local beers or even some grogue – a strong alcoholic local alcoholic drink made from sugar cane.

Get your dancing shoes on

The accursed mid-meal tequila shot at Bikini Beach (
Image:
Andy Gilpin/Trinity Mirror)

Or even your dancing sandals at Bikini Beach club, perched 40m into the sea on edge of the a blue lagoon. If you want a taste of Marbella high-life in your Cape Verde jaunt, this is the place to see or be seen.

Serving all sorts of food and drink, this beach club is trying to bring something a little different to Sal island.

From California roll to tiger shrimp tacos it'll take care of your taste buds while an impressive cocktail selection and the latest tunes will fix everything else.

Open from midday to late it's the place to put on your swimsuit and lie around during the day. Later on you can dress up to impress and eat, drink and dance the night away.

Just watch those mid-meal tequila shots.

Mains at Bikini Beach start from €14.

Eat and drink local

The drinks flowed during a night out in Santa Maria (
Image:
Andy Gilpin/Trinity Mirror)

You could just stay in the hotel complex and have a different culinary experience each night – but you’d be missing out.

Santa Mari is a short taxi ride away (€4-6) a will offer all that produce you saw on the pier earlier that day and more.

There you can eat at restaurants like Odjo d’auga where the tuna carpacchio is a must.

After your meal venture to one of the bars - such as the famous Buddy's Bar - with dancing everywhere. Literally everywhere.

Inside on the tables or in the middle of the street thanks to one of the roaming drum bands who make their way up and down the streets.

You may well become one of the revellers drawn in to dance along behind them.

In the restaurant a starter is €8, a main €18 with a bottle of house wine will set you back €25.

A local beer is around €3 and a cocktail from €5 when you hit the bars.

See it a different way

Quad-biking is a little more high-octane way to get to see the island (
Image:
Andy Gilpin/Trinity Mirror)

From salt mines to the Buracona Lagoon - also known as the Blue Eye - there’s more to the island than the hotel complex or quaint little seaside towns.

A taxi tour is a great way to see Sal island but for those with a sense of adventure – do it on a quad bike.

In a few hours you’ll be able to see most of the 21.7-mile island, but beware, quad biking isn’t for the faint hearted with plenty of sand dunes and hills to negotiate.

You’ll also get decidedly dirty, but it’s a sight-seeing experience you will probably never forget.

A four-hour quad bike tour costs €115.

The Blue Lagoon costs €3 and the salt mines €3 with that all important shower €1.

Get a massage

YHI Spa has many treatments for the weary traveller (
Image:
YHI Spa)

You’ll need one after all that. And luckily there are top-of-the-range spas that provide anything from deep tissue massages to well being and health treatments.

YHI spa is the lap of luxury with everything you expect from top-quality treatments which aims to 'purify the body, balance the mind and cultivate the soul'.

A full body, deep tissue massages last around an hour, but be warned, your body will be a little relaxed after and you may need a few minutes to pull yourself together.

Massages at YHI start from €75 and there’s also a sauna to sweat off all that excessive good living.

How to get there:

FLIGHTS: Thomson flies direct from Gatwick, but you can use Air Portugal to break up the journey by getting into Lisbon from any major British airport, before catching a four-hour flight the rest of the way.

HOTELS: Melia Hotel and Resorts offers four hotels in Cape Verde with prices from £159 per room per night all-inclusive.