Philippa Clarke explores the Cape Verde islands

Just six years ago, the little known Cape Verde islands were hailed as the great new winter sun destination.

Ideally situated off the West Coast of Africa, kept cool from the stifling tropical heat by gentle trade winds, and with mile upon mile of white deserted sand, it was dubbed the “European Caribbean”.

With only a five-and-half hour flight from the UK, it seemed a new paradise had been discovered.

This is the introduction to Philippa Clarke's Cape Verde feature as published in The Sunday Mirror in November 2011. To read this feature please click on The Sunday Mirror web link.