As the short days and long nights of winter draw in, you might be forgiven for pining for the summer and dreaming of heading to sunny and warm climes. For some the winter can be exhilarating, particular for those who love their alpine sports.

However, there are still some great tropical paradises within easy reach for those who don’t like skiing and long to escape Britain’s grey and dreary winters. One such destination is Cape Verde, an island state in the central Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa. The hidden paradise is made up of 10 islands, created by volcanic eruptions, all of which have their own unique charms.

Its islands were initially discovered and settled by Portuguese and Genoese sailors in 1456.

Today, Sal is ideal for beach holidays and water sports, while Santiago is the best destination for history buffs and culture vultures.

Meanwhile, Santo Antão and Fogo offer great hiking opportunities with dramatic landscapes.

São Vicente cannot be beaten for its music and culture, particularly its capital, Mindelo, which is famous for its lively atmosphere and carnival.

Cape Verde is known for having nine hours of sunshine per day and an average temperature of 75 to 85 degrees year-round.

In December, the average temperature is between 26C and 27C during the day, with evenings cooling down to about 20C to 22C.

The islands attract a fair number of visitors, but still way less than more popular holiday destinations such as Spain and Greece.

Last year the islanders welcomed some 1.2 million visitors. By way of comparison, Spain attracted 94 million and Greece almost 41 million tourists.

This tropical paradise is easily reached from Britain, with TUI offering direct flights from London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham.

An average return flight from London often starts at around £395, while from Manchester they begin at around £500.