A lot of people had told me what a beautiful Island Madeira is and now I’ve been I can say for certain that they’re not wrong!
Madeira is known as The Flower Island for good reason. Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, in a similar area to the Canary Islands and Morocco the year round mild weather is ideal for some beautiful flowers to grow. Wherever you look there are some amazing flower displays, particularly if you visit in May as I did when they celebrate the Flower Festival. Walking around Funchal at this time of year you smell lovely flowers wherever you go!
I stayed in Funchal which is the capital of Madeira. A bustling town perched on the cliff tops with an abundance of bars and restaurants to please all tastes. Funchal is a popular cruise port and you may be lucky enough to see one of the big cruise ships in dock at the far end of the town.
I stayed at the Belmond Reid’s Palace, a famous old hotel with over 100 years of history. This hotel is full of old fashioned charm, staff that will do anything for you and some amazing views from its pool and terraces. If you like a bit of luxury and to be properly looked after this hotel is definitely for you.
I viewed a lot of different hotels while in Madeira but along with the Belmond Reid’s Palace, these are a few that I would recommend:
Quinta Jardins Do Lago
Porto Santa Maria
The Cliff Bay
Madeira is a very mountainous Island and the best way to make sure you see the best of it is to do a Jeep Safari. This took us as high as 5500 feet above the sea until we were literally above the clouds! We saw some spectacular views, went off road up some very steep roads (so steep that they have steps down the middle of them built into the road for people to walk down!) and finished the trip at the Cabo Girão skywalk. This is a glass walkway 1900 feet over the sea, if you’re brave enough to walk across the view down is incredible!
If you have a head for heights I would recommend taking the cable car up from Funchal to the village of Monte, a beautiful little old village high up in the mountains. The journey takes around 10 -15 minutes and the views out to sea and of the orange topped buildings are spectacular.
While up in Monte you have to do the toboggan trip down the mountain. This is a local tradition where you sit in hand crafted wicker toboggans which are driven by two men who use their rubber soled shoes as brakes! You will journey 2kms downhill from Monte at quite a speed while cars are forced to wait at the stop signs held up to let the toboggans through. It is an experience not to be missed!
I hope this blog has helped you to get an idea of what a wonderful place to visit Madeira is. Please contact me on 01482 581888 or at alison@andrewearles.co.uk if you have any further questions or book an appointment to see me through our website to discuss your next holiday to Madeira.
Please see below some of my photos from my trip below:
