With direct weekly flights from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham, the Cape Verde islands have become firmly established as a holiday destination, so much so that they are attracting second-home buyers.

But how many islands are there, where are they and which is best for a holiday? The former Portuguese colony off Senegal on the West Coast of Africa comprises ten islands and five islets, contrasting in landscape and culture even though all but three are mountainous.

Most flights arrive after a six-hour journey at the airport on Sal, the most popular and most developed island. It has some good beaches, including one in the main resort of Santa Maria, limited nightlife, reasonable restaurants and the best traditional resort hotel, the Morabeza.

The finest beaches, however, are on Boa Vista, which is served by a weekly flight from Gatwick and, starting in May, from Manchester. The island is the closest in the archipelago to Africa and much of the interior is an extension of the Sahara desert, with spectacular shifting dunes.

The main resort beach at Chaves is 7.5 miles (12km) long and is home to the island's three main hotels, including Parque das Dunas. Alan Brown, of Holiday Options, says: “An even better beach experience is Santa Monica, one hour's drive from Parque das Dunas. It is 12 miles long, usually deserted and has to be among the greatest unspoilt beaches in the world.”

Brown is keen to point out that there is more to Cape Verde than chilling out on beaches. Santiago, the largest and most populated island, is African in culture, with an ancient capital, Cidade Velha, and a modern one, Praia. The interior is green and mountainous and the hill station town of Assomada is home to several thousand people descended from slaves who fled there to escape from pirates.

São Vicente is the “European” island with a sophisticated city, Mindelo, reminiscent of a Portuguese provincial municipality with music being played everywhere and many an impromptu party. There is a strong British influence here and many of the surnames are British. A 50-minute ferry ride from São Vicente, to the accompaniment of music, is Santo Antão, with spectacular mountain scenery reminiscent of the Peruvian Andes, deep gorges, hidden villages, and a rugged and dramatic coastline.

In some areas, life appears to have stood still; donkeys ply the mountain tracks and oxen plough the field and drive the wheel of the distillery making grogue, the local spirit produced from sugar cane.

Of the other islands, Fogo in the south is dominated by an active volcano but also has a fine town, São Filipe, with a French influence. The small neighbouring island of Brava is known for its flowers, scenery, tranqulity and relative obscurity, while Maio, south of Boa Vista, is also sleepy and regarded as a perfect retreat.

Holiday Options has discounted deals to two of the islands next month. Prices start at £599, a £266 saving, for a week's B&B at Parque das Dunas on Boa Vista, including a flight from Gatwick on February 20 and transfers.

A week's half-board from February 27 at the four-star Hotel Morabeza on Sal costs £749, with a flight from Birmingham and transfers. The Cape Verde Experience also has a week's package to Sal, starting with a flight from Gatwick on March 2 and costing £659. It includes B&B at the simple but attractive Hotel Pontão, close to the centre of Santa Maria and the beach, with its own pool. A fortnight's stay from February 23 is £779.

To enjoy the lively city of Mindelo, backed by spectacular scenery, Holiday Options has a deal at the four-star Hotel Foya Branca on São Vicente. A week's B&B from March 2 costs £945, with a flight from Gatwick to Sal and onward connection to São Vicente.

Early summer prices lead in at £699 for a week's all-inclusive from May 4 at the four-star Crioula hotel on Sal, with a flight from Gatwick. Flights from Birmingham are also available for an additional £29.

www.holidayoptions.co.uk - 0844 4770452

www.capeverdeexperience.co.uk - 0845 3302071

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