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On our first trip to Portugal, in the spring of 1994, we decided to go to the island of Madeira. Madeira lies six hundred or so miles south west of Portuguese mainland. It is a dramatic place. Peaks of stark mountains, which go straight down to the sea and breathtaking, lush fertile valleys. It is truly an island of flowers and with its marvelous climate a perfect place for a holiday at any time of year. The climate in Madeira is temperate with mild winters. Winter temperatures rarely dip below 50F with an average of 60F. Summer temperatures are no more extreme, seldom topping 70F. Maybe it is for this reason alone that Madeira is one of the oldest tourist destinations in Europe.
Documented evidence states that João Goncalves Zarco, a Portuguese explorer who, with his fellow sailor Tristão Vaz Teixeira, first spotted the island of Porto Santo in 1418 and then Madeira in 1419 claiming them on behalf of Prince Henry the Navigator. Many explorations followed, as Madeira became the first in a string of colonies that would make Portugal a major world power by the mid-16th century. The Portuguese settlers established ports, cleared most of the forests and built an extensive network of irrigation ditches that still carry water from the cloud-banked interior and rainy coast to the
drier south.This flowered land is a picture of complete serenity: the brilliant afternoon light on the fishing village of Cãmara de Lobos; a misty afternoon in the forest near the highland village of Camacha; Funchal at dusk with the city lights glowing against the sun's last traces. Madeira is a rare fantasy come true, and it lingers in the memory like the sweet aftertaste of a sip of its famous wine.
There is much for visitors to Madeira to see around the island. Besides Funchal's museums, churches and gardens, there are coastal, and highland villages and a wealth of spectacular scenery, visible along the road or from lookout points set on the island's highest peaks and at other beautiful spots. It would probably take at least a week's worth of day trips to see it all.
Prior to 1964 you could take a ferry to the island. Now the only way to get there is by air. Cruise ships still dock in Funchal, but the only way to get there from Lisbon is by air. TAP (Air Portugal) provides daily non-stop service.
TAP Air Portugal
The TAP 737 was on a long final to the de Santa Catarina airport. I sensed that the pilot was "dragging it in" so that he could get maximum utilization out of the runway. The current runway is adequate but I noticed that plans were underway to enlarge the runway and airport to handle the anticipated increase in traffic.
I understand that in September 2000, there was be a big ceremony to dedicate the completion of the new airport.
We touched down smartly on the edge of the runway and were soon getting our baggage in the claim area. We had made arrangements for the transfer to the hotel with Abreu. The Abreu man was waiting and we were soon driving over the winding mountainous roads toward the hotel. I took us about thirty or forty minutes to get to the hotel. The ride was our first chance to experience the beauty of the island.
We had reservations at the Hotel Madeira Carlton. This is a very beautiful hotel. It has levels of terraces and pools and a beautiful view of Funchal Harbor. Right next store to the Carlton is the legendary Reid's hotel. This hotel brings a touch of Victorian Britain to Funchal. It has hosted in the past such famous figures as Edward VII, Winston Churchill and others. Today it is a five-star hotel and offers some of Madeira's best options. It is also within walking distance of the Old City.
Funchal Harbor
The Madeira Carlton is located in the hotel area and is within a short pleasant walk to Funchal, which is the capital of Madeira. We walked down to the center of Funchal enjoying the beautiful flowers and the colorful street stones along the way. We spent hours walking around shopping for the tapestries and lace that has made Madeira famous.
Street in Funchal
To appreciate the grandeur of Madeira, you must see it from two perspectives: first from the harbor and then from Monte, the hill above Funchal. As an added bonus, when you go to Monte you may return to Funchal in style, reclining in a wicker toboggan escorted by two Madeirians.
I will give you one last comment on Madeira. If you don't rent a car, you should take one of the scheduled tours of the island. It is really a beautiful place and you should see it all.
It was a feeling of not wanting to leave, on that last morning, when the driver picked us up at the hotel for the journey to the airport. We had plenty of time to make the morning flight to Lisbon. We were the only passengers and the driver had plenty of time to point out sites of interest as we progressed along the winding climbing road on the way to the airport.
Madeira is also renowned for its Embroideries (Madeira Lace), beautiful Tapestries and of course its Madeira wine. We have a beautiful tapestry of a girls sleeping on a bench hanging in our living room, and my wife is sorry that she took so long in the negotiations for it that she didn't buy more.
Other shopping ideas
Daily flight service is also provided to Porto Santo Island, which is a paradise island with many long sandy beaches.
If you are interested in self catering apartments you may obtain some information here.
This link has some very nice pictures of Madeira and the surrounding areas on the island.
A complete tourist guide to Madeira Island is also available at this site. This is the first site seeing that you should do because it will give you complete insight into Madeira. It is available in English, German, Portuguese and Norwegian.
The complete tourist guide to Madeira Island
Golf Holidays on Madeira
For more information on planning a golf holiday on the beautiful sub-tropical island of Madeira please visit the following web site. This site will give you an insight into why so many golfers are choosing to play these challenging courses with spectacular views of the Island and the warm blue Atlantic Ocean.
The complete guide to Golf on Madeira Island
This site has some wonderful and current information on Madeira
http://www.marcelklee.de/madeira/en
For more information about Madeira, tourist, hotels, maps and additional views, please visit the following site.
Additional information about Madeira
To provide our visitors with more information about Madeira and to acquaint them with the natural beauty of the Islands, I highly recommend that you visit the Museu Municipal do Funchal (Natural History). It will provide you with virtual tours of the aquarium and museum.
The University of Madeira also has a site below that will provide more information about Madeira.
Let's Visit the University of Madeira
You may also obtain information from Manor Houses of Portugal by completing the form on any page of their site.
Street in Funchal
Creation Date: 04 Dec 1995
Last Updated: 05 Feb 2005
Copyright © 1995-2005 Thomas J. Sullivan MA
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