| Tips and photos for Madeira Island vacations and tourism, posted by real travelers and Madeira Island locals. Madeira Island Map |
 | Madeira Island General Tips | Tips 1 - 10 of 47 |  |
 house entrance by willy_wonka
the special thing about the house i stayed in was not so much the architecture, but the people in it.
along with myself, and my 3 girlfriends, and their parents, we also had the grandparents, 2 aunties, an uncle, and 5 children live in the house. that is 16 people! and it wasnt a very big house.
their hospitality knew no bounds, and their generosity will never be forgotten. the house was owned by the grandparents, the heads of the family. two of the aunties lived there to help the grandparents raise the 5 grandchildren, who were all orphaned. (their father died out at sea during a fishing trip, while the mother died 3 months later of cancer). the uncle that lives with them is disabled. yet, even though they have known such hardship, they still allowed their australian relatives of 5 come and stay, and a strange girl from australia who wasn't even portuguese and couldn't even speak a word to them.
they were the most beautiful people, and i just loved playing with the 5 children. we would always play football! i often would walk into town and bring back sweets and treats for them as well. such a sad story, yet the most happiest and giving people.
the joy of travel and having people be so kind to you is unforgettable!
obrigado to the pereira family!
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 camara de lobos views by willy_wonka
the view from the house i stayed in was just stunning. sweeping views over the atlantic, high clifftops, and gorgeous small houses. camara de lobos is such a beautiful little town, and the views from the village were just magic!
sitting on the balcony every night eating dinner in the open, looking over the twinkling lights of the carnival below. Leave a Comment
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 Madeira: tradition and
present days by pikuu
Madeira Web - http://www.madeira-web.com/ - the best site with variery of info. From beaches to sports, from essentials to historical guides.
Roman Garba's Madeira - http://www.garba.cz/madeira/index_e.html - detailed info in English about Czech team trekking trip across the Madeira
Madeira Islands - http://www.madeiraislands.travel/ - Madeira's Official Tourism Website
Madeira Tourist - http://www.madeira-tourist.com/ - looks OK but it is not especially full of info
Additional sites:
http://home.online.no/%7Enancys/portugal/madeira/index.html
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 Madeira - European Region 2004 by salinhopt
The Autonomous Region of Madeira (Portugal) have been voted European Region of the Year 2004, by an International Jury. This was announced by Xavier Tudela, President of the European Region of the Year Organisation, at a press conference on Tuesday, 18 March at the International Press Centre in Barcelona. Eight regions were short-listed for this nomination.
The European Region of the Year is an initiative which aims to increase kowledge and recognition of European regional affairs, to make new contributions to regional construction and European integration and, finally, to project the regions designated as European Region of the Year onto the European and international scene, in all their aspects, such as the social, cultural, economic and tourism aspects. The initiative has certain similarities to the European Capitals of Culture, but at regional level. Leave a Comment
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 Estrelicias or Bird of
Paradise by ncfg
Madeira is a garden itself and its beautiful flowers and gardens are a must see for sure.
Bourganvillea, jacaranda, bird of paradise, orchids and flamingo flowers grow alongside a variety of tropical fruits.
There are lots of unique flowers and exotics species.
I don’t have great photos but next time I will take for sure.
The flowers you can see on my photo is called Estrelicias or Bird of Paradise. They seem like a bird ! Leave a Comment
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 by quartinb
not blessed by beaches, with sand anyway, Funchal has several hundred pools not only in any and each hotel of the city. the lido pools are for everyone to go there if yu are keen to a good swim, and spend a nice day twisting by the pool. Leave a Comment
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 The grapes' harvest by pikuu
FRUITS AND JUICES: Above all Mango - totally different than in European shops - fresh and juicy. Also maracuja (passion fruit) - if you like. Madeira is famous for its bananas (big plantations on the south coast), cherries, chestnuts (Curral das Freiras) and different types of figs. Go to the market called Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal and taste (buy) different exotic or local fruits like hybryds of banana and pineapple (yummy) or a passion fruit and orange. Madeira fruits area is a big field for your dicoveries.
DRINKS: Firstly, Madeira wine - strong and aromatic, good for dinners, desserts and for cooking (as an ingredient). Also Poncha da Madeira - excellent liquer from sugar-cane honey, lemon and sugar-cane alcohol (recipe: see separate tip). Here are many other sorts of liquers, most known are chestnut, cherry and maracuja. Try it - you will feel heavenly :)
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 by ncfg
The island is full of little micro climates.
It is funny that when I was in Funchal it was a sunny day but then when we pass through a long tunnel in the other side it was raining and colder.
The bay of Funchal, protected as it is by the highest peaks enjoys the best of sunshine except in the months of February and March when an enveloping cloud. Further down the west coast at Ponta do Sol and Calheta, backed as they are by the lower hills of the Paul da Serra, the sun shines brighter during these months, but they are less protected from the sea winds. Leave a Comment
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 levada do Curral by sachara
The levadas are cut in the rock, digged in the ground and led through long tunnels.
The total lenght of all levadas all over the island is about 1000 KM, so you can't hardly miss them, when you go around.
These levadas became also an ideal opportunity for walking and so Madeira island became a paradise for walkers. Leave a Comment
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 by quartinb
the sights and waterfalls all along the paths through out the island. Leave a Comment
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