1 week Ago By [email protected] (Liv Clarke)
If the thought of dark nights and chilly days sends a shiver down your spine, why not plan an autumn getaway where you can soak up some late summer sun. With more than 200 destinations to choose from, there’s no shortage of sunny holiday spots on offer from Manchester Airport in the coming months. One place which guarantees toasty temperatures well into November is Sal, one of the Cape Verde Islands.
It enjoys highs of up to 31C in October, ideal for a half term getaway , while November still sees temperatures up to 29C. In fact, late autumn is the best time to visit the island as it coincides with the end of the rainy season. Cape Verde has a similar feel to the Caribbean but without the long haul flight - it’s around six hours from Manchester - while it also offers something different to the Canary Islands.
READ MORE: Jet2 announces Manchester Airport new route to ‘one of world’s most iconic destinations’ Sal is among the most popular of the 10 Cape Verde islands, which are located south of the Canaries. You can fly direct from Manchester to Sal with Tui, which also offers holiday packages too. Kitesurfing is popular in Cape Verde (Image: Cayambe) The island is known for its incredible beaches.
One of the most popular is Santa Maria, a golden sandy beach which seems to stretch on endlessly. It’s received more than 2,000 five star reviews on TripAdvisor, with several reviewers describing it as ‘stunning’. Richard B, from Edinburgh, said: “A truly stunning beach on the Southern tip of Sal.
The town of Santa Maria has grown around the beach, however, the beach remains in 'top' condition. This is probably the cleanest beach I have been on in a very, very long time. “The waters are crystal clear, the sand white and clean and there is no debris, seaweed or plastics.
The locals are friendly and there is an organic feel to the place. A natural type beach (if you will).” Another visitor, Joao Santos from Reading, compared the beach to the Caribbean: “Santa Maria's beach is beautiful, clear waters with Caribbean like-colours! Lots of local shops and some nice restaurants around.
” A colourful fishing village in Sal, Cape Verde (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) The sea temperatures are still warm at this time of year, but if you do fancy a dip be aware that Cape Verde experiences strong currents and big waves. Make sure a lifeguard is present and follow any flag systems that are in place. But the big waves and strong winds do make it popular for water sports, with kitesurfing being a major past-time in Cape Verde.
For the ultimate holiday experience head to one of the beachside bars where you can grab a cocktail and watch the world go by. Bliss. If you’d rather experience the sea without getting wet then a boat trip from Sal is a must.
A catamaran cruise is a popular choice with tourists with a range of excursions to book from, from day-long trips to shorter rides. It’s a great way to experience the beauty of the island. For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
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