(CNN) — Wander amidst the faded colonial splendor of Sao Tome, the capital of Sao Tome and Principe, and it's easy to be charmed by the African city's laid back, tropical simplicity. Uninhabited until being discovered by the Portuguese in the late 15th century, Sao Tome and Principe is a tiny archipelago situated in the Gulf of Guinea. Yet Sao Tome and Principe is once again attracting the attention of international explorers, this time in the shape of tourists. Hugo Menezes, director general of tourism for Sao Tome and Principe, tells CNN Travel that just 7,900 people visited in 2010. Sao Tome tour guide Luis Miguel tells CNN Travel that most tourists feel like they've visited "heaven on Earth."

Source: CNN February 06, 2020 09:45 UTC