Cape Verde an 'undiscovered gem' says travel writer

People looking for a bit of winter sun on their solo holidays may wish to travel to the Cape Verde islands, which are surprisingly close.

That is the opinion of Marcia Moody, who was writing for travel website Trip Ideas. In an article, she recommends the country, calling it "an undiscovered holiday gem".

The former Portuguese colony - based just off of the western African - is less than six hours away from the United Kingdom on a plane.

Furthermore, "the diversity of the islands mean there’s something for everyone, from unspoiled beaches, towering mountains and volcanic lunar landscapes to a thriving traditional music scene," says Ms Moody.

Travellers hoping for a hiking holiday could trek up the islands' Pico de Fogo volcano, which stands at 2829 metres.

Cape Verde used to be a Portuguese colony and - despite being an economically poor country - has one of the highest quality of life ratings in Africa.