Senegal

The most westerly country in Africa, this vibrant and friendly destination will awaken your senses with its sights, sounds and smells. The capital Dakar is a vibrant hub for local music, rhythmic mbalax, its many influences including jazz, soul and Latin. You can feast your eyes on African art in the Musée Théodore Monod and enjoy plentiful seafood dishes with okra, cassava or spicy tomato rice, washed down with a cup of sugary mint tea. The old Médina district retains an African flavour and houses the Grand Mosque and the Soumbédioune Market where you can buy brightly coloured local clothes and handicrafts.

The town of Saint-Louis to the north of Dakar is steeped in history. Get a sense of its colonial past (it was once the capital of West Africa) by taking a horse and carriage ride through the streets with buildings painted distinctive shades, and enjoy the sight of Islamic and Christian architecture sitting side by side. Many of the towns and villages scattered along the Atlantic coastline are worth a visit to simply relax on their beaches and enjoy the hospitable atmosphere that this small but distinctive country has to offer.