Silversea Luxury Cruises À MINDELO (São Vicente)

Transfer by minivan for 20 minutes from Mindelo to Sao Vicente. Sao Vicente was discovered in 1462, but not developed until the 19th century, due to its arid nature and lack of water resources.

Experience first-hand Cape Verdean daily life and learn about the island's history. View the well preserved colonial buildings and monuments. Your walking tour will start at Praca Nova (Portuguese for "new square") which is an important square in the city. The square is named after Amilcar Cabral, a leader of the independence movement of Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau. It was constructed in 1895.

Enjoy the scenic walk along the harbor towards the famous Rua de Praia with traditional shops and monuments like Diogo Afonso a 15^th century Portuguese explorer. He took part in several explorations in the Northwest and West Coast of Africa which were made by Prince Henry.

Further on, stop at Torre de Belem (a replica of the Lisbon original). See the Cultural center (the former Customs building) and the local fish market.

Visit the thriving West African market - Praça Estrela with Portuguese azulejos, passing by the traditional quarter as well as the town hall.

Visit the church, Nossa Senhora da Luz (Our Lady of Light) which was built in 1862. It is one of the oldest buildings of Mindelo, however, the church has been enlarged recently, leaving only the façade in its original state.

Continue on foot to the colorful vegetable market. Enjoy a coffee break after visiting the historical main street Rua de Lisboa with its colonial style homes and stores. Transfer by vehicle back to the pier.

Depart Mindelo (Cape Verde's cultural capital) and head out of the town in a minivan to the little fishing village called "Salamansa". Take a walk through this quaint community (population approx. 1170), and along the sandy beach, before stopping at the local Fisherman Association. Half of the population is primarily engaged in artisanal fishing for their livelihoods. The artisanal fishing community is made up of about 148 fishermen and 10 fish merchants, who also practice other socio-economic activities such as animal husbandry and agriculture (during the rainy season)

Enjoy a coffee break and local pastry and learn about the local community and its people.

Continue on and visit the abandoned area of "Mato Ingles" (which means English bush), a village that was founded by English Traders in the 18th or 19th century. From here start a hike (for approx. 90 minutes), passing through the central part of the island. Enjoy this stark, arid, rocky region comprising of hills and beautiful mountain scenery. Also see grasslands and farmlands dotted throughout this area. After the hike, make your way back to Mindelo and the cruise pier.

The Cape Verde Islands are located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, approx. 300 miles off the west coast of Africa. The Portuguese settlers arrived in 1462. Depart the town of Mindelo and enjoy a panoramic drive through scenic landscapes, volcanic valleys and the rugged coastline of Sao Vicente island. Discover the natural beauty and dramatic lunar landscape.

Monte Verde

Travel to the highest mountain on the island, "Monte Verde" (750m high- 2,460ft) with its plantations and spectacular island views of the volcanic landscape. This peak rises high above Mindelo and on clear days offers panoramic views of the city and its magnificent bay, the village of Baia das Gatas, and the arid sloped and rugged coastline of Sao Vicente. The road to the top has many steep drop-offs, twists and turns. Weather permitting, you may be able to see some of the neighboring islands.

"Praia Grande" beach

Continue your drive along the coastline to the beach "Praia Grande" with its dramatic contrast of white sandy beach and mountains of black lava.

Take a stroll on the beach and/or relax and enjoy a traditional coffee break and local music along with traditional dancing in a local restaurant near the ocean.

The tour continues with a drive through the agricultural valley "Ribeira de Calhau", a settlement in the Eastern part of the island of Sao Vicente. The settlement comprises of three villages: Madeiral, Ribeira de Calhau and Calhau, all located near the river. 3km south of Calhau is the extinct volcanic crater Viana. The Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory "Humberto Duarte Fonseca" is situated 1km north of Calhau. Make a photo stop before the return drive to Mindelo and the ship.