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A Pearl in the Atlantic
Located in the Atlantic Ocean and only a 500-Km from African
Continent and 1000 Km from Portugal (1.30h by plane to Lisbon), we find Madeira
Archipelago. This one, besides having the island with the same name, is composed by other
islands.
Porto Santo ("Ilha Dourada" – Golden
Island, 90–Km NE from Funchal); Desertas (only 3 small inhabited islands–
Deserta Grande, Búgio e Ilhéu Chão, 20-Km SE from Funchal) and Selvagens, (a natural
reserve, 280-Km from Funchal).
Madeira Island, several times called
"Atlantic Pearl", "Lovers Island", "Eden" or
"Paradise", constitutes a Natural Park with its surface of 728-Km² (57-Km
length E-W and 22-Km width N-S). It keeps more than 700 specimens of superior plants,
being 100 of them endemic (we do not see anywhere).
Its highest pick is Pico Ruivo (1.862 m).
As far as administrative component is concerned, this island has 10 councils and
52 parish, with an approximately total of 260.000 habitants, living 120.000 at the Region
capital, Funchal.
Eternal Spring
Both
aspects, geological and geographical localisation,
contribute to the pleasant and mild climate (mild winter and during summer we do not feel
dry heat unbearable). These are some of the factors that are very important to make this
island a touristic destiny all over the year.
Considered one of the world’s softest
climates (annual media 17,5 °C), as well as warm sea temperature (influenced by the warm
current of Golf) is without doubt the perfect place to relax.
Unique at Madeira
This island provides great hotel settings, once the
touristic activity is one of the great poles of Madeira economy, due its natural
beauties.
Besides the great abundance of tropical fruits, such as bananas, passion fruit,
avocados, mangoes among others, we must also underline shellfish and fresh fishes:
scabbard fish, tuna fish, limpets, periwinkles are some of the delights
"offered" by the Atlantic.
One of the gastronomy specialities is the "Espetada". Laurel sticks
are used, filled with cubes of meat and then grilled. Red wine, home-made bread or
"bolo do caco" with garlic butter are used as accompaniment of this special
dish.
The world-wide famous Madeira Wine is ideal to be drunk as aperitif and as
digestive.
"Sercial" (dry) to be drunk with cheese, "Verdelho" (medium
sweet) or as a dessert wine, "Malvasia" (sweet).
The cultural inheritance has more than 500 years and can be found in many
churches as well as in museums spread all over the island. In the "Museu de Arte
Sacra" in Funchal, we can admire paintings donated to the churches by rich merchants
during centuries.
All over the island, there are a wide variety of handicrafts, being Camacha the
main centre because of the wickerwork.
But the real treasure of Madeira "was born" by the hands of the women:
the embroidery.
Tablecloths, exclusive dress designed by Madeira stylists are searched all over
the world. But it is better if you come to Madeira and buy them here.
The nature as you have never seen before
Covered of fascinating colours of exotic
vegetation, like a green mantle, Madeira is considered a Natural Reserve with two thirds of the territory of
protected area.
We can find the "Laurissilva" in the flora of this Island – set
of rare trees, such as Madeira Mahogany, Madeira Laurel, Canary Laurel and many
others.
All along the year, around the Island, there are orchids, azaleas, magnolias,
lilies and other exotic flowers flourishing.
You can better appreciate all this wonderful landscape with direct contact with
the nature, by following the ways along the "levadas" (small water canals done
by men).
An Island to discover
Do not hesitate to visit Paúl da Serra, which stands at more
than 1.000m above the sea level.
Pico Ruivo and Pico do Arieiro stand on East Side and can be reached both by car
and on foot.
Appreciate the tropical gardens in Monte and then come to Funchal
on the typical "Carros de Cestos" (a kind of toboggan made of wicker and
pushed by two men called the "carreiros".
There is so much to see in this Island, that you need to come to visit us more
than once to see everything.
Sport Activities all along the year
To those who like walking and appreciate a wonderful landscape, Madeira is
really a paradise.
"Parapente", walking in the mountain, tennis, horse riding, bicycle
promenades are some of the sport activities practised in Madeira over the year.
This Island also offers two golf courses, for championship to the one who enjoys
this modality.
Only 15 minutes far from Funchal we find Palheiro Golf opened since 1993.
Situated in a Eucalyptus forest, at 700m above the sea level, stands Santo da
Serra, where regularly take place tourneys related to the PGA EUROPEAN TOUR.
Madeira is also quite rich in nautical sports, like swimming, diving, sailing,
canoeing, water skiing, parasailing among others.
This Island is also becoming famous as a destiny for fishing at the high sea. In
order to stimulate even further the camaraderie between big game fishermen, the Region
sponsors the annual Madeira Blue Marlin Tournament every August.
Here is the right place to fish the blue swordfish.
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