wave Like most people on this thread, we have our documents, and are excited about the upcoming trip. We even bought a new suitcase today to replace an old hard sided case.

The one thing we're not excited about is the cancelation of two of our excursions, in Salvador and Cape Verde. We haven't found a good replacement for the Salvador excursion, and will probably take the Regent highlights tour, even though we like something more focused.

Fortunately, Susan Walsh of B & K hooked us up with Tim Harwood, who used to work as excursions manager for Radisson Seven Seas. He was able to suggest excursions for Cape Verde and Recife (but not Salvador).

For Cape Verde, we were able to get a quote for a replacement with the same name as the canceled tour: Mindelo, the cultural capital. At $330 for the two of us, it's more than we want to pay. If we get one or two other couples, the price goes down: 6 people cost $390, or $130 per couple.

Here is the description:

Departing from the pier, you'll first drive through downtown, stopping at Praca Nova, a beautiful colonial square
that offers a glimpse into the city's casual social life. Still, Mindelo is known more as the island's cultural heart.
You will experience this first-hand at a handicraft exhibition and then at the esteemed Cultural Center, a historical
colonial building that hosts different cultural activities such as a theater, one of the very rare book shops on Cape
Verde, cultural events, and a changing exhibition of local art.

Continuing on, you'll notice the streets are lined with well-preserved colonial buildings and monuments
commemorating key historical events. Mindelo even boasts a replica of Lisbon's famed Belem Tower, an homage
to the Portuguese naming the island Sao Vicente after discovering it on Saint Vicente's Day in 1462.

The Praca Estrela marketplace is another landmark, where the predominantly West African merchants display
wares ranging from handmade crafts to fine jewelry. Even more cultural and architectural treasures await you in
the historic quarter, ever deepening your understanding of life in Cape Verde.

Enjoy a complimentary refreshment such as a glass of "pontche", an island cocktail made with sugar-cane
molasses or "grogue", the national liqueur of Cape Verde. Afterwards, you'll return to the pier.
18-Nov-2012
$165.00 per person 3½ hours The Cultural Capital of Mindelo 2 guests, Cape Verde 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Please note:
Entry fees included. This tour includes approximately 2-hours of easy to moderate
walking/standing and includes uneven surfaces and stairs to negotiate. As this is a private tour, you can modify
to meet your interest and requirements.

If anyone is interested, please post to this thread, and we'll find a way of exchanging emails.

Tim also offered a private tour for Recife that includes the Jewish museum and Jewish quarter. At $530 for two, it was beyond our price range. If anyone is interested, let us know, and we'll post more details. The cost would be $680 ($170 per person) for 3, $780 ($130 per person) for 6.