With more than 200 destinations to choose from, Manchester Airport offers no shortage of sunny holiday spots in the coming months.
One destination that promises warm temperatures well into November is Sal, one of the Cape Verde Islands.
In October, temperatures can reach up to 31C, making it perfect for a half-term getaway, while November still enjoys highs of around 29C.
In fact, late autumn is an ideal time to visit Sal, as it marks the end of the rainy season.
Cape Verde offers a Caribbean-like atmosphere but without the long-haul flight—it’s about six hours from Manchester—and provides an alternative to the Canary Islands.
Sal is one of the most popular of Cape Verde’s 10 islands, located south of the Canaries. You can fly directly from Manchester to Sal with TUI, which also offers holiday packages.
The island is famous for its stunning beaches, with Santa Maria Beach, a long stretch of golden sand, being one of the most popular.
It is relatively flat, dominated by arid desert-like conditions, which is why its name “Sal” (meaning “salt” in Portuguese) relates to its historical salt production.
Santa Maria is the main tourist hub of Sal, known for its vibrant atmosphere, restaurants, and resorts. The beach at Santa Maria is famous for its white sands and turquoise waters.
The island is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, offering windsurfing, kite surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing. The consistent winds and warm waters make Sal particularly popular for kite surfers.
Natural Pools at Buracona is a famous spot on the island where volcanic rocks have created natural pools.
It is also known for the “Blue Eye,” a natural phenomenon where sunlight reflects off the water to create a stunning optical effect.
The island has a laid-back vibe, with local music and dance playing a big role in cultural life. Cape Verdean music genres like morna and funaná are commonly heard.
Sal has a small international airport, Amílcar Cabral International Airport, with flights connecting to Europe and other Cape Verdean islands. The island is small, so many tourists use taxis or rent bikes or cars to get around.
The island 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.”