Sao Tome and Principe opens up the skies: 10-07-2008
Adventure travellers seeking to access the vast and isolated beaches of Sao Tome and Principe will now find it even easier.
A pilot charter flight scheme between Lisbon and Sao Tome was launched in June and travellers from Europe searching for a glimpse of paradise will now be able to reach Africa's smallest state on board one of 14 planned flights over the next three months.
Visitors to the islands can look forward to enjoying the wildlife and relaxing on long quiet beaches, with temperatures of 22-32 degrees Celsius.
Sun seekers would be best served arriving in one of the two dry seasons – Gravana (June to September) sees the sky dotted with small clouds and a southern breeze of 10-25 knots with moderate temperatures, while Gravanita (December to February) has almost no rain or wind whatsoever and temperatures of between 25 and 30 degrees.
The islands are hoping the new route will bring up to 2,000 tourists from Europe by the end of August, a target that is likely to be met with 150 passengers almost filling the first of the trial flights.
Sao Tome and Principe was discovered by the Portuguese in the late 15th century and not only is it the smallest African state, it is also the smallest Portuguese speaking country in the world.
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