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[title]Fancy spending your next holiday embracing all things relaxation – but don’t fancy hitting up the usual suspects when it comes to the destination of your trip? We don’t blame you: finding an unexpected gem and filling your days with once-in-a-lifetime activities while you’re there is what we travel lovers are all about.
If that sounds like you, São Tomé and Príncipe might be just the place for your next holiday. Just a shell’s throw away from the Seychelles off the Gulf of Guinea, these islands bridge the gap between ‘eco warrior’ and ‘glamourpuss’. The island nation serves up the best in sustainable luxury and creature comforts with fancy resorts that genuinely respect their surrounding nature. That means largely untouched beaches and lush rainforests positively teeming with wildlife. And that’s before we mention the crystal clear, perfectly warm ocean waters.
We’ll be honest with you – a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe isn’t going to fit into everybody’s budget. But, the islands do offer a more affordable alternative to the nearby Seychelles, and Lloyds, your unexpected travel partner, can help stretch your holiday budget a bit further. To secure a great deal on your flights and accommodation, it’s well worth using the Price Prediction tool, built into Lloyds Travel Booking within their app. It suggests when to book or when to wait. Then, if you book your flights through the Lloyds app and the tool says you’ve got a great price, it will continue to track your flight booking after you’ve locked it in. Should the price drop below what you paid, you’ll automatically receive up to £50 in travel credits towards the difference. Also, if you find a better deal yourself within 24 hours of booking, let them know and you could get the difference back in travel credits, ready for your next trip.
Ready to explore São Tomé and Príncipe? Here’s the lowdown on everything the islands have to offer.
Immerse yourself in everyday life in São Tomé City
You might hear ‘luxury islands’ and immediately think a visit involves nothing more than sunning yourself on a lounger. In fact, the islands offer as much culture as they do relaxation. From its colonial-era architecture and bustling markets to its palm-lined streets and seaside promenade, the capital of São Tomé City is a feast for the senses. Check-in to a luxurious stay like Pestana São Tomé, perfectly-positioned to explore the city with a prime waterside location, or Omali São Tomé, made up of lodges right next to Lagarto Beach and home to one of the best restaurants on the island (a must-try is the chocolate mousse).
Then, it’s all about getting out and about to enjoy everything this under-the-radar capital has to offer. That includes the São Sebastião Museum housed within a 16th-century fortress and boasting a collection of colonial art and artefacts from when the island belonged to the Portuguese. Don’t miss the remains of a cocoa king stored in a box underneath his painting – yes, really. Next, head to Mercado Central in the heart of the city for a flavour of everyday life with stalls that sell everything from handicrafts and spices to seafood and cocoa (top tip: the savoury pastries, a local delicacy, are a delight).
Finally, wrap up the day with a leisurely stroll along the promenade for a rum-based sundowner you watch that big golden ball disappear behind the Atlantic Ocean. Alternatively, for 360-degree views, ping up in the lift to the fifth floor of Hotel Central on Rua de Angola for the only rooftop spot in the capital. Lloyds can help you to keep an eye on your budget while you explore too: Spending Insights in the app helps you to track where your money is going, right down to the last penny. Because a holiday like this shouldn’t be spent trying to do any kind of mental maths. Plus Club Lloyds, Silver, Platinum or Premier current account holders can make the most of their cash when they’re on holiday thanks to no fees for using your debit card abroad to pay or withdraw cash.
When you’re abroad, always choose to pay in the local currency. That way you avoid the overseas provider's currency conversion fees, and remember some ATM providers may charge a fee.
Try real chocolate at the Diogo Vaz Cacao Plantation
We can all agree that choc rocks, right? Good news for you, then, that São Tomé and Príncipe is known for the good stuff, namely because of its tropical climate and volcanic soil, a winning combination for growing cacao. Under Portuguese rule, the island was actually one of the biggest producers of chocolate in the world, but now it’s less known for quantity and more quality: think artisanal and full-flavoured.
So, if you’ve got a sweet tooth (or not – some of the best is actually quite bitter), you need to swing by the Diogo Vaz Cacao Plantation, an hour-and-a-half from the city and home of the famous tree-to-bar producer. On a guided tour, you’ll walk amongst the cocoa trees and learn everything there is to know about growing and cultivating, while getting a chance to taste and buy chocolate (naturally). With scenery, colonial architecture and gastronomy thrown into the mix, it’s a brilliant day out for all palettes – chocoholics or otherwise.
Go wild at Pico Cão Grande
To the south of the Island, again just an hour-and-a-half from the capital, is Pico Cão Grande: a 600-metre high but slender volcanic needle that rises dramatically from the lush greenery of the surrounding rainforest. Unless you’re an experienced climber, you’ll want to give scaling its peak a miss, so we suggest a guided trek through the winding trails of Ôbo Natural Park for the very best views – and plenty of cracking Instagram opportunities, of course. A private or group tour doesn’t only ensure access to this tricky-to-reach spot, but also means you’ll take in plenty of other highlights along the way, from the historic Roça Água Izé plantation to the natural volcanic formation of Boca do Inferno and the colonial village of Porto Alegre. For nature-lovers, the bird-watching is brilliant, too – it’s kingfisher heaven! Go in the morning when the monolithic stone is shrouded in mysterious fog.
Plan, book and spend with Lloyds, your unexpected travel partner.
Small print:
Lloyds Travel Booking, powered by Hopper.
Fee-free debit card spending and cash withdrawals abroad are valid for Club Lloyds, Silver, Platinum and Premier accounts. Monthly account fees may apply. For Premier account, eligibility criteria also applies. UK residents, 18+. When you’re abroad, always choose to pay in the local currency. That way you avoid the overseas provider's currency conversion fees, and remember some ATM providers may charge a fee.
Best Price Guarantee is offered in connection with flight and hotel bookings made through Lloyds Travel Booking. If you find the same itinerary on another competing site at a lower price and claim within 24 hours of booking, you’ll get the difference back in Travel Credits, ready for your next trip. The price must be available to the general public. For example, this means that the rate doesn’t need you to log into a site or have a special membership or an available discount personal to you.
The Price Prediction tool is built into Lloyds Travel Booking within their app. It suggests when to book or when to wait. Then, if you book your flights through the Lloyds app and the tool says you’ve got a great price, it will continue to track your flight booking after you’ve locked it in. Should the price drop below what you paid, you’ll automatically receive up to £50 in travel credits towards the difference.
Order travel money in the Lloyds app by 3pm for next-working-day delivery. Free delivery on orders over £500. You need Internet Banking or Mobile Banking app access and a Lloyds current or savings account.
Request a Payment limits apply. Ask for up to £150 each time and get up to £500 a day.