Coffee, cocoa and colonial history

A pleasantly warm temperature and traders with colorful tropical flower bouquets welcome you at the airport.

Take a deep breath and absorb this friendly atmosphere. Your driver will take you to your accommodation in São Tomé City, from where you can head to one of the nearby restaurants and taste the local cuisine. Together with your travel documents you will receive a list of our favourite restaurants.

Today you and your guide stroll through São Tomé City and discover the colourful charm of this lively yet tiny capital: the colourful hustle and bustle, the loud yellow of the taxis, the sweet pastries and a chat in the bakery, vegetables and fruits beautifully presented at the market...

São Sebastião fortressIn the small and fine national museum, housed in a former fortress, you get a vivid impression of the local life on the coffee and cocoa plantations during the colonial times.

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Corallo's factory

Of course, he grows his own cocoa and transforms it in his small manufactory - a sweet smelling oasis - into top-quality chocolate. What do you prefer: pure cocoa, ginger-or coffeefilled chocolate balls or the simply delicious 75%-Corallo-chocolate? No matter which one it is... stock up on it - this chocolate is purely addictive.

Discover the northern coast of the island. In the small museum Casa Tatu you will hear about fish and fishermen, turtles and dolphins, biodiversity and species protection.

Continuing along the coast you will go to a small beach where you can have a swim in the ocean.

Corn, grilled chicken or squid - in a small village, families sell grilled food in their front gardens. You are right in the middle of it. Even without understanding the language, you won't be able to hide your smile.

Today you are heading to the west coast. The Roça Agostinho Neto, back then the largest of the colonial plantations, gives an impressive insight into the height of coffee and cocoa cultivation. With a little imagination you can revive the freight railway, the manor house and the iron smithy.

Later, you will be shown how the raw material for the chocolate is extracted from the cocoa fruit by hand. Fermenting, drying, turning, drying - actually not difficult at all.

The tunnel of Santa Catarina- a full 15 metres of architectural pride - takes you to the fishing village with the same name. Laughing children, fishing boats, wooden huts, a lively atmosphere 'at the end of the world'.
You will spend the night at Ecolodge Mucumbli - in the middle of nowhere. Well, actually - close to the starlit sky above the ocean, the sounds of the jungle, a delicious meal...

Wake up surrounded by tropical green nature and overlooking the wide sea - breathe deeply, relax and enjoy the singing of the birds in the midst of silence.

After a delicious breakfast, perhaps you'd like to linger on the covered terrace, take the nature trail of the hotel or visit the donkeys that were saved and found a shelter here? Or perhaps you'd rather read a book in front of your wooden bungalow nestled into the surroundings?

Maybe you prefer to go on a guided hike organized by Mucumbli - no matter: just do whatever you want and enjoy your day.

São Tomé is green, Príncipe even greener... today you take the plane to this little paradise - a pearl in the middle of the Gulf of Guinea.

A drive through stunning green nature will take you directly to the island capital Santo António, where you will check in to your accommodation.

In the afternoon you and your guide will explore the centre of this small city. Pay a visit to the government palace, the Praça, the old market and the church before you enjoy a beautiful view over the whole bay from an old fortress on the other side of the Papagaio river.

Today you drive across the island through tropical nature and past colourful wooden houses built on stilts.

Visit Roça Sundy, where the English astrophysicist Arthur Eddington proved Einstein's theory of relativity during a solar eclipse in 1919.

Roça Belo Monte

We continue to Roça Belo Monte, which - just as Sundy - has been converted into a stylish Boutíque hotel in recent years.

There are only few dream beaches like this: crystal clear water, palm trees, white sand and some bamboo huts. Jump into the warm Atlantic Ocean at one of the most beautiful beaches of the archipelago - Praia Banana, which despite its attraction is still mostly deserted today.

Today you can choose between an easy and a more demanding hike in the center of this magical island. You'll walk through tropical landscapes, past dilapidated colonial buildings and you`ll meet people who live in humble conditions yet are filled with the beautiful nature that surrounds them. The peace and power of this atmosphere will inspire you.

The hike, on which you are constantly surrounded by the mountains of the small island, will lead you step by step not only to your destination, but also to yourself.

Upon return to São Tomé you will head to the south of the island. In São João dos Angolares, João Carlos Silva connects the history of slavery with modern culture and art. In his very convivial and beautiful 'roça', a house full of art, paintings and sculptures, he welcomes guests to culinary delights and organizes art workshops and exhibitions.

The top chef will spoil you with his creative combinations from the rich variety of tropical raw materials - herbs, roots, fruits; some of which you may already know, others you will try for the first time today. One thing is for sure: today is a real treat for the palate and a feast for your eyes as well.

Lazing around or hiking - what so you feel like doing today? The Roça São João, the village São João dos Angolares, the nearby dark sandy beach with its fishing boats as well as the plantations and forests around the Roça invite you to go explore on your own.

If you would like to be a bit more active, we gladly organise one of the most beautiful hikes on the island for you: the trail starts from your accommodation, leads through tropical rainforest and ends at the beach. This hike requires some physical fitness, long-sleeved clothing and hiking boots - and a machete for your guide. This excursion is not included in the package - please contact us if you are interested.

For the next two days we will send you to beach holidays on a palm-lined beach. On the way to Praia Inhame you will make a stop for a romantic boat ride through the mangrove forest - enjoy the tranquillity on the water, the bizarre root formations and observe the birds in their little paradise. After arriving at Praia Inhame beach, you will check into your lovely bungalow near the beach.

Robinson Crusoe on the beach: swimming, snorkling, lying in the sun. Pure holidays!
If you would like to see even more, we can recommend a trip to the small neighbouring islet of Rolas, which is situated directly on the equator line.

What to do on Rolas? Cross the equator on foot and swimming, walk through the coconut forests to the wild south coast, have grilled fish served on the beach and of course take a swim or two in the warm Atlantic. Are you interested? We will be happy to give you tips on how to get to Rolas and what you should do (and not do).

Today you return to São Tomé city.
In your guesthouse with pool you can reflect the past days' experiences, relax in the sun and immerse yourself again in the colorful life of the capital and do last errands.

Today you have to pack your bags and say Goodbye! ... Keep the smile of the people, the breeze of the ocean and the colors of the flowers in your heart. Have a safe trip home!