At the Equator

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 before your driver takes you to the small oasis, the Hotel Resort Santana, just outside São Tomé town. Here you will spend your days on São Tomé – lots of experiences without having to change your hotel! After being checked in to your bungalow, you will be served a delicious dinner in the hotel restaurant.

The Hotel Santana leaves no wishes unfulfilled. A well-kept complex in the middle of nature with a private beach, where a snackbar, a pool and the lounging areas are perfectly arranged around the natural shape of the bay. There is a wide range of activities to choose from - Tai Chi, guided walks in the surroundings and snorkeling, to mention just a few.

Santana Resort

The stylish bungalows offer pleasant privacy. The restaurant overlooks the sea and serves fine cuisine with local and international ingredients. And if you're looking for some São-tomense hustle and bustle, you can take the free shuttle service into São Tomé town.

Today you and your guide will stroll through São Tomé town and discover the charm this lively, yet tiny capital has to offer: the colorful hustle and bustle, the bright yellow of the taxis, the sweet pastries and a chat in the local bakery, vegetables on the market so neatly presented...

Photos Lena + Chuck Moravec

In the small but 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.

Strengthened after lunch, you will continue your journey into nature. Take a long walk and let your gaze wander - lush leaves of all kinds of shapes, a big variety of tropical plants and colorful birds - step by step you will immerse yourself in the lush greenery, which has a soothing effect on your soul.

São Tomé basically is like a collection of colonial plantations, the so-called 'roças', which are like small villages. Each of them has its own story and its own charm.

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The Roça Agostinho Neto that you will visit today is the largest one. With a little bit of imagination, you can breath new life into the former railway, the mansion and the old iron smithy.

You continue on to Lagoa Azul with its amazing view over the water for some snorkeling, swimming, relaxing... With a little luck you might get to see the fresh catch of a fisherman.

Afterwards you will have a closer look into the process of the manual cocoa production . Fermenting, drying, turning, drying – done... actually not difficult at all.

Today you head south. The sea, mostly protected by the continent, often shows its wild power at the Boca do Inferno (hell´s mouth) - waves form into fountains during this natural spectacle.

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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.

This top chef spoils you with his creative combinations of the rich diversity of tropical raw materials - herbs, roots and 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.

São Tomé is green, Príncipe even greener... today we enter paradise within paradise.

Bom Bom Island Resort is on the islet Bom Bom which literally means good good. Robinson Crusoe on four star level. Enjoy the luxury of the small villas, the two beaches, the excellent food, the sea, the tranquility, the greenery, the seclusion...

Today you drive through tropical nature and past typical wooden stilt houses over the 136 km² small island. Did you know that the island, formerly called Santo Antão, is nowadays called Príncipe because King John II. gave it to his son, the prince, as a present? Or that UNESCO has declared the island a biosphere reserve? Anyway, there is not much to say about this day, except that it will be overwhelming.

You will visit the two Roças Sundy and Belo Monte, both of which have been converted into luxurious hotels recently.

What does your dream beach look like: crystal clear water at a lonely white sand beach under palm trees? Exactly! This is where you will take a swim today - on 'Praia Banana' beach.

Back in São Tomé, move into the Hotel Santana, which you are already familiar with: reflect on the impressions of the last few days, enjoy the beauty of the surroundings, the sound of the sea and the comfort that this hotel has to offer.

Today you head towards the northern coast of the island to the area of Morro Peixe. Here you will visit the very small, but absolutely exemplarily museum Casa Tatu. You will hear about fish and fishermen, turtles and dolphins, biodiversity and species protection.

Back in São Tomé City, visit Claudio Corallo's chocolate factory, dedicated to the pure taste of cocoa. Of course he cultivates his cocoa himself and transforms it in his manufactory - a sweet-smelling oasis - to top-quality chocolate.

Which one is your favourite: pure cocoa, chocolate balls filled with ginger, cocoa balls with a coffee bean or the simple 75% Corallo chocolate? No matter... stock up - this chocolate is addictive.

Today it is time to say goodbye. Enjoy a last swim and a last drink with a seaview, before it is time to pack your bags. The hotel's shuttle bus takes you directly to the airport - keep the lush green, the tropical fruits and the smile of the people in your heart - and whatever you do, always remember: leve leve ;-)