Fabulous day-tour around the island with a dedicated, knowledgeable guide, Eddie. We completed a comprehensive circuit from Praia up to the north, then back south via the western side of the island. Eddie's English is superb and he does all he can to make the tour as interesting and exciting as possible. If you're planning to visit other islands, get in touch with Eddie or his colleagues to get the latest on inter-island travel options as they're hard to figure out from abroad.

I liked very much the 3-hour hike through the stark landscape, first to the cave and then on to Ribeira de Barca: the sea turqoise near the land and dark blue further away, the land ochre with dark red to black and dotted with green bushes, and the light blue sky above - just lovely colors. And all that with a refreshing wind - never got too hot - and a very considerate guide who checked time and again that the speed of hiking was suitable for me, and Apollo knows the area like his own home. Great experience.

I was staying in Achada Lem and hiked in Serra Malagueta on Saturday myself. In the evening I was warn by hotel personnel that it is better not to hike in the Natural park on Sunday, because there were a couple of cases, when local teenagers were attacking the tourists and stealing their phones and money. I was doubtful, if I should get a local guide or go myself but when a girl at the reception said that someone from the Rural tours has "beautiful English", I called them and arranged a tour for the entire day. Edimilson is a really cool person, with whom it is not boring to spend a day. We walked together around 18-19 km. We made first Gongon valley till Hortelão and came back to the road via Principal valley. Edimilson said that I was the first one from outside, with whom he made this long route. On the way we met a few people, with whom Edimilson had a short chat. He is very local and knows how to approach people. After the long walk I wanted to do Lagia trek as well but Edimilson was quite tired and offered to show me a huge tree (Poilón in Boa Entrada), which was also pretty! If you stay in Assomada and like nature, contact Edimilson and you won't regret it. By the way, besides Portuguese and English he also knows French and Spanish :)

Great time! Nice boat trip and landscapes are beautiful. The stop at the beach was cool and our guide and captain also.