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Madeira is quite literally an exotic Floating Garden. Discovered in 1419 by Portuguese navigators it is located 560km off the West African coast in the Atlantic Ocean and is approximately 57km in length and 26km wide. Madeira offers many places of historical interest and natural beauty, from small undiscovered villages, churches and museums to immense mountains with lush plantations, flora and fauna.
The Madeiran Archipelago consists of the exotic floating garden of Madeira, the sand and sea worshippers' island of Porto Santo and the uninhabited islands of the Selvagens and Desertas.
The Island of Eternal Springtime, Lovers' Isle, Pearl of the Atlantic, Floating Garden of the Atlantic are just a few of the epithets awarded to Madeira, the largest of the islands. Madeira is the tip of a gigantic mountain protruding from the ocean depths and the variations in altitude provide a variety of natural habitats from stunning coastal scenery to soaring mountainous peaks. The central area is volcanic in origin although you need have no fears - the last eruption is thought to have occurred 1.7 million years ago!
Funchal
Located on the south east coast of the island in a picturesque bay, Madeira's capital, Funchal, lies between the deep blue of the ocean and the lush green of the mountains behind. Approximately half of the island's population lives in Funchal; the centre of town is especially busy where the 16th century streets attempt to cope with 21st century traffic! Most of the hotels are located west of the city centre at Funchal Lido - an important tourist area with shops, restaurants and cafes. The style is changing, however, with colonial mansions being converted into luxurious hotels although many enclaves and the port still retain an old fashioned feel mixed with the commercial buzz of its working environment.
Funchal's port area provides a fabulous vantage point to gaze at the rich (and sometimes famous) as cruise ships moor up for their overnight stops. A short walk from the port is the old part of town, interesting to meander through during the day and excellent to visit in the evening when the cafes and restaurants spill out onto the streets allowing you to enjoy alfresco dining.
During the day the streets and old squares of Funchal are alive with flower sellers. With the blue sea in front, the greenery of the mountains behind and the pavements alive with the vibrant colours of the Birds of Paradise, Arum lilies and Amaryllis flowers, you can wander for hours. There is interesting 16th century architecture, a smattering of worthwhile museums and, if you love to shop, you can easily while away a morning or afternoon in the designer shops or at the local market which is well worth a visit - packed with local produce and heaps of freshly caught Espada (Scabbard Fish).
Carnival and Festivals
The preference for festivals over work is perhaps nowhere so pronounced as on Madeira. In addition to the islands four major festivals, Carnival, the Flower Festival, the Wine Festival and its internationally renowned New Year's Eve celebrations, the islanders have a busy schedule of public holidays, saint' days, local parish festivals and small celebrations.
We feature many small, boutique hotels and Quintas in Madeira - please ask for more details.
