Mindelo (Porto Grande) Sao Vicente, Cape Verde Islands

Cape Verde Islands is an archipelago made up of 10 islands and 5 islets. Praia, located on the island of São Tiago, is the capital and largest city. In addition to the capital, other towns include Mindêlo on São Vicente, Ribeira Grande on Santo Antão, Sal-Rei on Boa Vista, and Espargos on Sal.

All of the islands are of volcanic origin. São Tiago is mountainous, Fogo has the islands' highest peak, Mt Fogo. Santo Antão has the highest rainfall and is much greener than the other islands and favourable for those who enjoy hiking.

São Vicente has Cape Verde's liveliest and most beautiful city - Mindelo. The bars and restaurants are numerous. São Vicente's picturesque colonial houses are mostly pretty two-storey affairs with balconies and shuttered windows.

Mindelo and its surrounding areas take you on a contination to Catfish Bay Beach with its white sand beach and clear, blue temperate waters, surrounded by the mountains. Here you can enjoy the sampling of Portuguese wine along with delicious local refreshments, while you listen to the sounds of the traditional folk music provided by violins and acoustic guitars on the sands of the beach of Catfish Bay.

Mindelo Cultural Center, gives you a chance to see handicraft styles from all of the islands and the Fish Market with its walls painted by local artists depicting daily scenes in the lives of the Cape Verde people.

The islands of the Cape Verde archipelago are windy, hilly, dry - almost luna.