Cape Verde

We went for a week at Easter and booked through First Choice as they were cheaper than Thompson.

There are only a few flights to the Island of Sal a week so you might struggle booking it yourself.

When and where are you thinking of going?

*crash*

I really fancy Cape Verde but I have read horror stories about animal cruelty and poisoned dogs dying on the beach.

Is any of this true?

quote:Originally posted by Katchoo
*crash*

I really fancy Cape Verde but I have read horror stories about animal cruelty and poisoned dogs dying on the beach.

Is any of this true?

id="quote">

Never heard any of that and certainly didn't see any animal cruelty or dead dogs in Sal when we were there.

KB did you stay at the Riu Funana/Garupa? That's where we are looking, but put off by horror stories about dogs being poisoned by the hotel on Trip Advisor.

I am a huge animal lover, and if I saw a hint of cruelty it would ruin the whole holiday for me. You didn't see anything like that then?

quote:Originally posted by Katchoo
KB did you stay at the Riu Funana/Garupa? That's where we are looking, but put off by horror stories about dogs being poisoned by the hotel on Trip Advisor.

I am a huge animal lover, and if I saw a hint of cruelty it would ruin the whole holiday for me. You didn't see anything like that then?

id="quote">

I didn't see any of that and I'm going to write a report on TripAdviser. What a load of bloody rubbish! I didn't even see 1 dog while I was there! We stayed at the Funana. There were quite a few cats around but they killed the bugs ?

I absolutely fell in love with Cape Verde and we're even looking at buying a property out there.

Probably end of Aug/start of September and I like the look of Sal. I've looked on First Choice website and can't see it?

Sez

quote:Originally posted by Sez
Probably end of Aug/start of September and I like the look of Sal. I've looked on First Choice website and can't see it?

Sez

id="quote">

I booked instore. I only think Thompson list it. Although Minx found a deal for July through First Choice.

OK thanks. Will maybe pop into a First Choice and see what they have, although I normally like to do a fair bit of research myself first. Am not a fan of Thompson's so would rather not go with them if possible.

Sez

quote:Originally posted by KinkyBoots

quote:Originally posted by Sez
Probably end of Aug/start of September and I like the look of Sal. I've looked on First Choice website and can't see it?

Sez

id="quote">

I booked instore. I only think Thompson list it. Although Minx found a deal for July through First Choice.

id="quote">


First Choice didn't list it... I think it was Thompson. £662 per person for a week at the Funana AI in July.

That was an online deal.

Hopefully we're going to book this weekend!

quote:Originally posted by Sez

OK thanks. Will maybe pop into a First Choice and see what they have, although I normally like to do a fair bit of research myself first. Am not a fan of Thompson's so would rather not go with them if possible.

Sez

id="quote">

They are the only holiday agent that travels there atm. You'll have to book independently in that case.

Sorry to jump on your thread Sez.

KB - I've never gone AI before. Is it good? Is the Funana or Garupa better? Did you need much spending money, or do you really not spend much else? H and I are looking for a cheapish holiday this year and really fancy it. He thinks the animal stuff is all rubbish as well.

First Choice do fly to Sal though as thomson offer their flight as an alternative?

quote:Originally posted by Sez

First Choice do fly to Sal though as thomson offer their flight as an alternative?

id="quote">
??
I don't understand. Thompson and First Choice, as far as I know are sister companies. Thompson's are the carrier and they are the ones who fly to Sal.

I didn't know they were sister companies. I just looked on Thomson website they fly on a friday. Under change flight there is an alternative flight on Monday and airline says First Choice.

quote:Originally posted by Katchoo
Sorry to jump on your thread Sez.

KB - I've never gone AI before. Is it good? Is the Funana or Garupa better? Did you need much spending money, or do you really not spend much else? H and I are looking for a cheapish holiday this year and really fancy it. He thinks the animal stuff is all rubbish as well.

id="quote">

Haven't stayed in those hotels but have stayed in a Riu and was very impressed with the whole AI package and the staff at the Riu. We looked at staying at other Riu hotels, one of which was Cape Verde but couldn't find a great deal of information about it.

With kids, the AI was a blessing as we didn't have to worry too much about spending all our money on ice cream and food as they have got hollow legs ?

quote:Originally posted by Katchoo
Sorry to jump on your thread Sez.

KB - I've never gone AI before. Is it good? Is the Funana or Garupa better? Did you need much spending money, or do you really not spend much else? H and I are looking for a cheapish holiday this year and really fancy it. He thinks the animal stuff is all rubbish as well.

id="quote">

We generally do AI for long haul as we have kids. It's cheaper for us in the long run as they have entertainment, food and drink on tap. We then get to relax by the pool or on the beach for a week.

AI you find is very much of a muchness. Some of the reports on TA are true. The food is generally the same, but there is lot's of choice. 3 or 4 meats, vege options, potatoes choices, pasta dishes, salads and breads. We have the most delicious beef fillet and roast pork while we were there.

We stayed in the Funana. It is next to the Garopa. It was built first so is closer to the beach. There is uilding work behind the Garopa. There are 2 pools at each hotel, 4 restaurants, a Spa and the beach. It was very windy when we went (their Winter) but temp got to 25/26 minimum. The wind was welcome.

The hotels are in blocks. Block 1 by the lobby and restaurants, Block 5 by the pools and beach. It's a 7 min walk from Block 1 to the beach. This was too far for some people who complained whilst we were there.

There isn't much to do outside the hotel. We took a quad bike trip of the island and visited Santa Maria, the main town. Beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. It's a very poor country but there is lot's of development going on. It hasn't rained in 7 years apparently.

Money wise, we took €500 and spent it. But we done the quad bikes (€170) and a catamaran trip, plus airport spends.

HTH

quote:Originally posted by Sez

I didn't know they were sister companies. I just looked on Thomson website they fly on a friday. Under change flight there is an alternative flight on Monday and airline says First Choice.

id="quote">

Well that is news to me. Maybe as the destination is getting more popular they are sending FC out there to. We booked last year. However, having flown FC previously I much prefer Thompson. Plenty of leg room, free entertainment, blankets and earphones. I'm easily pleased ?

Thank you so much KB. This has been really helpful.

It sounds lovely. There is just the two of us. H has never had a beach holiday, but this year we are exhausted and need to just lie on a beach and have everything taken care of. As long as there is the opportunity for some diving for H, then that's all we need.

As long as the food is decent I don't mind repetition as we are only staying the one week in mid July.

I can't believe people moan about a 7 minute walk to the beach. ?

Katchoo you'd be surprised what people moan about. I'm amazed they manage to get up in the morning! Apparently the swimming pool was too cold. It was blazing hot, who wants to jump into a heated pool! ?

If your H likes driving they also do a beach buggy driving day that looked ace. Be warned you get filthy from the desert! You can hire a car for the day (it only takes a day to travel around) and see Espargos their Capital. It's very poor, a bit shanty town looking. I hope the developments bring in work for the locals.

It can be a bit Butlin-esque if you aren't used to AI and the way they work. People would be washed and dressed at 6pm waiting for the restaurant to be open at 7pm. We'd just be finishing at the pool heading to the lobby for a few drinks, the looks we'd get! ? We'd have dinner about 9pm when it's quieter.

? I've just read you said DIVING not DRIVING!

They have a SCUBA school on the beach and day trips for divers. We saw turtles ❤️

?

Ah, now the buggy driving would be MY cup of tea definitely! No, he'd be off on the diving boat first chance he got. More time for me to check out the spa.

I think H and I will just keep ourselves to ourselves and avoid the best Butlinesque aspects. We'll be eating late too, although we'll probably do a few evening meals in the town itself.

Might be booking this weekend then ?

quote:Originally posted by Katchoo
?

Ah, now the buggy driving would be MY cup of tea definitely! No, he'd be off on the diving boat first chance he got. More time for me to check out the spa.

I think H and I will just keep ourselves to ourselves and avoid the best Butlinesque aspects. We'll be eating late too, although we'll probably do a few evening meals in the town itself.

Might be booking this weekend then ?

id="quote">

There is one bar n town wehre you HAVE to go barefoot. It's frowend upon if you don't at least try to fit in with the locals.

That sounds fab! Thanks for all your advice KB! ?

We have booked to go to the Funana in June and booked online through Portland Direct and found them cheaper than Thomson.

quote:Originally posted by FairyNuff
We have booked to go to the Funana in June and booked online through Portland Direct and found them cheaper than Thomson.

id="quote">

Really?

We've looked at both...

Portland Direct total: £1712
Thompson total: £1284

Same week, same hotel, exactly the same deal.

Hi MS, I can't remember the exact price difference and I'm at work so can't check but it was about £200 pounds cheaper (per person)with Portland Direct. We did book back in February though.

quote:Originally posted by FairyNuff
Hi MS, I can't remember the exact price difference and I'm at work so can't check but it was about £200 pounds cheaper (per person)with Portland Direct. We did book back in February though.

id="quote">



Damn, I wish we'd made up our minds a few months earlier ?

Just wanted to say we've booked the Funana for 2 weeks at the end of August so thanks for all the advice. Minx Sauce did you book up in the end?

Sez

Everyone will have to tell me what they think when they get back. I absolutely loved it!

I'm hoping we do too as it's our main holiday. Did you do the visa thing before you went or at the airport in Sal?

Just to butt in, you will usually always find Portland Direct cheaper than Thomson. It may have been more if you had room supplements if the cheaper room wasn't available IYSWIM but if you let Thomson know of any cheaper deals they'll usually match them.

FWIW we book holidays with Thomason/Portland nearly every time we go on hols and haven't had a bad holiday yet. Alternatively, we booked last year with Airtours/Panorama and picked up something rather nasty in their so called 'Marque of Excellence' hotel.

View quoted message

Yes we completed it online through Thompson. make sure you do, There were lot's of unhappy holiday makers and very unhappy staff at Sal airport. You have to complete an additional form on the plane to.