Originally Posted by luckybluesman

I would like to add the Monte Palace Gardens by cable car. You can also take a sled part way back. The cable car is easy to reach from the port (a longish walk or short cab ride) and you should plan on at least an hour in the gardens, although the more time the better. Lots of shade on a hot day so why not take a picnic. Strong legs are recommended.

Originally Posted by Ladysail

I can attest that Madeira is a beautiful island. We rode the cable car....up!!! Then the tobaggon ride...down!! It was great fun! We ate scabbard fish...the fish of Madeira..it was delicious....and took a wonderful tour to many places on the island.

Another wonderful place is Reid's Palace. Six of us women had Afternoon Tea there....the views were spectacular from the outside tables.....overlooking the water, and seeing our ship in the background. Believe me, the views inside the Palace were wonderful too!!!! It's a lovely, lovely hotel.

Our guide did a wonderful job of showing us 'his' island and making us feel that we were truly welcomed. I learned alot too. I certainly am planning on going back some day!!

Originally Posted by biaria

Hi Canarymoon and everybody else interested,

Acording to Daniel, my husband, the top three places that you should not miss in Madeira are:
--- Pico do Areeiro, one of the mountains in the central part of the island. It stands at an altitude of 1818 meters and, very often during the summer months, as clouds form low in that area, when you reach the top, you can see lots of peaks, coming out of those cotton wool like clouds.
--- Encumeada, 1007 meters high, also in the central part. From this view point, and when the weather is clear, you can see both the north and the south costs.
---Eira do Serrado, at 1095 meters high, from here you can look down at all the Curral das Freiras (Nun's Valley) area. Curral das Freiras, a village nowadys, is the center of the vulcano that originated Madeira.

I'm, now, going to add three recommendations of my own:
--- Cabo Girão, on the south coast of the island and at 589 meters above sea level, is the highest sea cliff in Europe and the second highest in the world.
--- Porto Moniz, very nice sea side village on the western coast. Has beautiful natural pools, among vulcanic rock formations.
---Paúl da Serra, the Plateau, at 1500 meters, is very different from the majority of the island, as this an almost flat area, having only, here and there, some small rock heaps. Vegetation is also in the form of small shrubs.


Thank you for reading my post and I hope I was able to attract a bit of your attention to Madeira.

Originally Posted by biaria

Hi everybody!

Today I'm going to tell you a bit about Madeira.

Madeira is a very touristic island and lots of different events take place during the year.

Throughout the month of June evey year, takes place the Festival of the Atlantic, which is made up of an International Fireworks Competition and several musical performances.

This year Italy, Russia and Germany are taking part in the competition, on the 6th, the 13th and the 20th respectively. They all bring a 20 minute, fireworks with synchronized music show, to be seen in Funchal's bay, at 10:30pm. On the 27th is Portugal's turn, but it doesn't compete.

When it comes to music, there will be performances by a Brass Quintet, a Clarinet Ensemble, the Municipal Band, Madeira's Classic Orchestra, Piano Concerts and so on, during the entire month.

Very interesting, I must say.

Originally Posted by luckybluesman

This is such a wonderful event. I remember taking a blanket and bottle of wine and sitting on the beach watching the beautiful display. World class fireworks. It is surprising to me that there is only one cruise ship scheduled to stop at Madeira in June and none on the nights of the fireworks. When I was there it was possible to hire a boat, have a nice dinner and watch the fireworks from the water.