The Sal island, of volcanic origin, is the first one of the win ward islands. It is influenced by the winds coming from the African continent. Which carry the sand desert of Sahara in to some of the island beaches formed suggestive dunes degrading gradually in to the sea.

This island is the most tourist developed compare to the other ones, as it is  the only place to have a international airport with direct lines from all Europe.

As to air travelling, the NEOS air airline company organized biweekly departures (on Wednesday an Saturday) from Milan, Verona, Bologna and Rome. New and efficient the NEOS air boing 737-800 aircrafts get you to destination in 5/6 hours.

The Santa Maria village, a tourist centre is ten minutes by taxi from the airport. A taxi service is present at the airport a the price of 5 E.

As to services and facilities, you can find in Santa Maria supermarkets, a chemist’s shop clothes and handcrafts shops, Italian and local restaurants, coffee bars, discos etc.