Madeira-anyone been recently?
Mar 7th, 2013, 04:20 PM
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Madeira-anyone been recently?
Madeira has come up as a possible place for our Christmas vacation. There seems to be so little information on Fodors(last thread seems to be 2011) so was wondering if anyone has been in the last year? What were your favorite cities and where would you base yourself? Thanks!
Apr 2nd, 2013, 11:06 AM
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Hi dutyfree,
I'm a reporter at the Wall Street Journal, and doing an article about the plastic-wrapping service for luggage that is offered at many airports around the world. I saw some comments you posted on the issue in one of these forums a couple years ago, and would love to speak to you briefly by phone if possible. If you're available, please let me know where I can reach you by writing me at [email protected]. Thanks so much,
Arian Campo-Flores
I'm a reporter at the Wall Street Journal, and doing an article about the plastic-wrapping service for luggage that is offered at many airports around the world. I saw some comments you posted on the issue in one of these forums a couple years ago, and would love to speak to you briefly by phone if possible. If you're available, please let me know where I can reach you by writing me at [email protected]. Thanks so much,
Arian Campo-Flores
Apr 2nd, 2013, 12:25 PM
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we will be there for one day at the end of this month on a cruise.
i probably won't do a trip report, but send me an inquiry at my back-up site and i will respond when we retrun home in late may: [email protected]
i probably won't do a trip report, but send me an inquiry at my back-up site and i will respond when we retrun home in late may: [email protected]
Apr 2nd, 2013, 12:50 PM
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Yes I have. I was there for 5 days in mid-November and liked it a lot. It had been on my "must visit" list for about 15 years. We stayed in Funchal and didn't scratch the surface really. We travelled by public transport and Shanks Pony.
Best thing - Funchal has a lovely old part which is very picturesque and bustling at night. The location of this city is spectacular cascading right the way down the mountain. Lots and lots of yellow houses with red roofs. In aspect it was very similar to Castries in St. Lucia but larger.
Communications were good. Fabulously imaginative use of engineering to run fast roads around the cliffs.
And of course the weather. We had hoped it would be warmer than home and it was. There were people swimming and it was warm enough to fall asleep by the pool- in November.
Best thing - Funchal has a lovely old part which is very picturesque and bustling at night. The location of this city is spectacular cascading right the way down the mountain. Lots and lots of yellow houses with red roofs. In aspect it was very similar to Castries in St. Lucia but larger.
Communications were good. Fabulously imaginative use of engineering to run fast roads around the cliffs.
And of course the weather. We had hoped it would be warmer than home and it was. There were people swimming and it was warm enough to fall asleep by the pool- in November.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 10:57 AM
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In reading a few guides, I noticed that the time around New Years Eve is fun in Funchal with fireworks and markets for the holidays,etc. It sounds like this would be a great match for a holiday vacation in December but would like to know if one could be happy there for more than a week with sightseeing,etc.?
Apr 3rd, 2013, 11:24 AM
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I think so.
We stayed close to where the cruise liners came in and so it took us about 20 mins to walk each way into Funchal and we did this twice a day.
Roughly (because I didn't keep notes), we spent the first afternoon napping(early flight) and then walked into town and ate in the atmospheric old quarter, in O Jango
The next day we took the cable car up to the tropical gardens,then took the sledge down the road_ that was the most fun I've had in ages. We went back to the hotel where we had some drink and I fell asleep in the sunshine by the pool. That night we walked back to the old quarter and ate in Arsenio's a fado restaurant.
The next day we took a guided trip along the levada from Ribero Frio-about 12 kms.The journey there was very pretty and there was lovely countryside. That night we ate in the Fort restaurant- don't miss this.It was beautifully decorated for Christmas and the food was very good!
On our last day we took a bus to Cabo San Lucas a fishing village which Churchill painted-worth a look. We returned to Funchal and visited the Blandy's Port building which was interesting and then spent the rest of the afternoon browsing amongst the attractive streets.That night we ate in an Indian restaurant near our hotel.
We didn't see much of the island other than what I've set out above but enjoyed it enough to think that we would like to return and see the rest
We stayed close to where the cruise liners came in and so it took us about 20 mins to walk each way into Funchal and we did this twice a day.
Roughly (because I didn't keep notes), we spent the first afternoon napping(early flight) and then walked into town and ate in the atmospheric old quarter, in O Jango
The next day we took the cable car up to the tropical gardens,then took the sledge down the road_ that was the most fun I've had in ages. We went back to the hotel where we had some drink and I fell asleep in the sunshine by the pool. That night we walked back to the old quarter and ate in Arsenio's a fado restaurant.
The next day we took a guided trip along the levada from Ribero Frio-about 12 kms.The journey there was very pretty and there was lovely countryside. That night we ate in the Fort restaurant- don't miss this.It was beautifully decorated for Christmas and the food was very good!
On our last day we took a bus to Cabo San Lucas a fishing village which Churchill painted-worth a look. We returned to Funchal and visited the Blandy's Port building which was interesting and then spent the rest of the afternoon browsing amongst the attractive streets.That night we ate in an Indian restaurant near our hotel.
We didn't see much of the island other than what I've set out above but enjoyed it enough to think that we would like to return and see the rest
Apr 3rd, 2013, 12:56 PM
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Madeira is depressingly under-represented on this forum - probably because few Americans manage to get there. It's long been a popular winter retreat for northern Europeans (particularly British, German and Scandinavian visitors) - some retired folk spend the entire winter there. We've been about 10 times and fell in love with the island on our first visit.
The only city as such is Funchal, where most foreign visitors base themselves. Apart from that there's a few small towns and many villages, some of which were very isolated until comparatively recently when the EU funded road network expanded across the island via a series of amazing tunnels and bridges. By far the bst thing about Madeira is the stunning mountain scenery - truly some of the most dramatic anywhere in Europe, combined with a warm sub-tropical climate which benefits the many wild flowers and gardens. To see the island properly you need a hire car (and a head for heights!).
There's an excellent selection of mid-range to up-scale hotels, and the choise of local dining has improved greatly over the years (I can give you plenty of specific recs if you are seriously interested). I can thoroughly recommend a winter visit to Madeira, it's a far better choice for this time of year than some of the other European destinations mentioned on your other threads.
The only city as such is Funchal, where most foreign visitors base themselves. Apart from that there's a few small towns and many villages, some of which were very isolated until comparatively recently when the EU funded road network expanded across the island via a series of amazing tunnels and bridges. By far the bst thing about Madeira is the stunning mountain scenery - truly some of the most dramatic anywhere in Europe, combined with a warm sub-tropical climate which benefits the many wild flowers and gardens. To see the island properly you need a hire car (and a head for heights!).
There's an excellent selection of mid-range to up-scale hotels, and the choise of local dining has improved greatly over the years (I can give you plenty of specific recs if you are seriously interested). I can thoroughly recommend a winter visit to Madeira, it's a far better choice for this time of year than some of the other European destinations mentioned on your other threads.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 01:31 PM
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Gordon R-I am definitely thinking Madeira!
I would love to get thoughts from you and others who have been about how long to allow for a visit to the island.I plan on flying into Funchal and staying in that area for the last week of December in order to experience the fireworks/New Year celebrations I keep reading about.
However, I am thinking that I would also want to stay on another part of the island too for a few nights.Suggestions on where else to stay or areas to avoid?
I would love to get thoughts from you and others who have been about how long to allow for a visit to the island.I plan on flying into Funchal and staying in that area for the last week of December in order to experience the fireworks/New Year celebrations I keep reading about.
However, I am thinking that I would also want to stay on another part of the island too for a few nights.Suggestions on where else to stay or areas to avoid?
Apr 4th, 2013, 04:02 AM
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On all our previous visits we've stayed for one week (and always wished we could have stayed longer). There is plenty to see and do for a week or two at a time.
I would stay in a single location in Funchal without moving elsewhere. I say this mainly because there is no need to move really - you can easily access anywhere on Madeira these days on fast roads within an hour's drive out of Funchal, though it <s>can</s> will take much longer if you take the scenic routes and stop for photos along the way
. It's also worth bearing in mind that outside Funchal, places are <i>much</i> smaller and quieter, so you'd have more limited options for eating out in the evening for example. Having said that, places such as Porto Moniz (in the extreme North West), Sao Vincente (north coast) and Calheta (along the south coast) are good choices if you wanted something quieter for a few nights.
I've never been in Madeira at New Year, but I hear the fireworks in Funchal are impressive. Be aware thhat many hotels add a surcharge for that night with compulsory "gala dinner", so watch out for the higher prices.
I would stay in a single location in Funchal without moving elsewhere. I say this mainly because there is no need to move really - you can easily access anywhere on Madeira these days on fast roads within an hour's drive out of Funchal, though it <s>can</s> will take much longer if you take the scenic routes and stop for photos along the way
. It's also worth bearing in mind that outside Funchal, places are <i>much</i> smaller and quieter, so you'd have more limited options for eating out in the evening for example. Having said that, places such as Porto Moniz (in the extreme North West), Sao Vincente (north coast) and Calheta (along the south coast) are good choices if you wanted something quieter for a few nights.I've never been in Madeira at New Year, but I hear the fireworks in Funchal are impressive. Be aware thhat many hotels add a surcharge for that night with compulsory "gala dinner", so watch out for the higher prices.
Apr 4th, 2013, 04:06 AM
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Oh, I meant to mention that the fishing village, popularised by Winston Churchill, which Frances visited was Câmara de Lobos (situated just to the west of Funchal). This is a very poverty-stricken village however and is one of the few (only?) places on the island you might be harassed by beggars - certainly one place I would <b>not</b> stay in.
Apr 4th, 2013, 04:20 AM
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DutyFree, please forgive my intrusion here.
I am also interested in a vacation on this island, for it garners so little press here in the US. (Not to mention my long-ago research into the island's most famous tipple which did NOT net me a trip!!)
Question to Gordon: ARe there hotels with large heated pools that would allow serious swimmers to enjoy leisurely swims even in winter season? Can you recommend any hotels with large, heated pools that do not require male guests to don jackets for dinner?
I would love to hear more about the food scene... is there any local food scene on the island, showcasing local produce?? Or is it all about meat and veg, fish and chips and the like??
I am also interested in a vacation on this island, for it garners so little press here in the US. (Not to mention my long-ago research into the island's most famous tipple which did NOT net me a trip!!)
Question to Gordon: ARe there hotels with large heated pools that would allow serious swimmers to enjoy leisurely swims even in winter season? Can you recommend any hotels with large, heated pools that do not require male guests to don jackets for dinner?
I would love to hear more about the food scene... is there any local food scene on the island, showcasing local produce?? Or is it all about meat and veg, fish and chips and the like??
Apr 4th, 2013, 09:12 AM
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No problem-ekscrunchy.!
I am so surprised that more UK friends haven't been here as I thought that it was somewhat like the Canaries or Cyprus for their holidays?
I really appreciate the various towns you recommended Gordon and will look into them. We are probably going to rent a house or condo as it is easier with 4 adults all up at different hours.
Keep those tips and insight coming!
I am so surprised that more UK friends haven't been here as I thought that it was somewhat like the Canaries or Cyprus for their holidays?
I really appreciate the various towns you recommended Gordon and will look into them. We are probably going to rent a house or condo as it is easier with 4 adults all up at different hours.
Keep those tips and insight coming!
Apr 4th, 2013, 11:24 AM
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Dutyfree - Madeira is not at all like the Canaries or Cyprus. Although tourism is a major part of the economy it's not as commercialised and the local goverment has gone to great lengths to avoid over-development. I'd say the clientele is generally a bit older and more affluent in Madeira, but obviously that's a generalisation.
ekscrunchy - most of the big hotels (and there are many of them) have both large outdoor and (smaller) indoor pools. The indoor pools are heated all year round but I'm not sure that would be the case in the winter for the outdoor pools. I'm not a serious swimmer, but I remember styaing at one hotel where the outdoor pool really was too chilly for swimming in January. Apart from Reids [http://www.reidspalace.com/web/omad/reids_palace.jsp], I can't think of anywhere that would require a jacket to be worn for dinner (I do struggle to get to grips with this US "dress code" thing, LOL). What's your budget and preferred style of hotel, so I can point you in the right direction?
The local food scene has improved a great deal in the past 5 to 10 years, and would certainly not be typified by meat and veg or fish and chips. The local seafood is particularly good. We like the following (all in the Old Town in Funchal):-
http://restaurantedoforte.com.pt/forte-en/
http://restaurantedoforte.com.pt/mozart-en/
http://www.gaviaonovo.com/index2.html
http://www.riso-fx.com/index.php
http://www.restaurantelejardin.com/
http://www.restaurantetapassol.com/
ekscrunchy - most of the big hotels (and there are many of them) have both large outdoor and (smaller) indoor pools. The indoor pools are heated all year round but I'm not sure that would be the case in the winter for the outdoor pools. I'm not a serious swimmer, but I remember styaing at one hotel where the outdoor pool really was too chilly for swimming in January. Apart from Reids [http://www.reidspalace.com/web/omad/reids_palace.jsp], I can't think of anywhere that would require a jacket to be worn for dinner (I do struggle to get to grips with this US "dress code" thing, LOL). What's your budget and preferred style of hotel, so I can point you in the right direction?
The local food scene has improved a great deal in the past 5 to 10 years, and would certainly not be typified by meat and veg or fish and chips. The local seafood is particularly good. We like the following (all in the Old Town in Funchal):-
http://restaurantedoforte.com.pt/forte-en/
http://restaurantedoforte.com.pt/mozart-en/
http://www.gaviaonovo.com/index2.html
http://www.riso-fx.com/index.php
http://www.restaurantelejardin.com/
http://www.restaurantetapassol.com/
Apr 4th, 2013, 11:40 AM
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Some typical local specialities:-
Espetada (meat on skewers): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espetada
Espada (blak scabbard fish): http://www.love-madeira.com/espada-f...a_aid=3598aabf
Bolo do caco (garlic bread): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolo_do_caco
Grilled sardine salad : http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raYk3erL_f.../Sardines.jpeg
Espetada (meat on skewers): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espetada
Espada (blak scabbard fish): http://www.love-madeira.com/espada-f...a_aid=3598aabf
Bolo do caco (garlic bread): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolo_do_caco
Grilled sardine salad : http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raYk3erL_f.../Sardines.jpeg
Apr 15th, 2013, 12:46 AM
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I'm portuguese, i was there two years ago. The thing i recommend the most, are 'levadas' in madeira. It was without a doubt the best part of my trip. Google search for walks in levadas in madeira. U can take trips and some u can do by yourself.
http://www.madeira-seekers.com/MadeiraWalks.html
here you can see the most known ones.
Levada Queimadas - Caldeirão Verde was my favorite and u can go by yourself if u rent a car.
Another pretty one, but more of a mountain and harder, is Levada of Pico do Arieiro - Pico Ruivo but in this one you have to take a group tour so they catch you in the end of the walk and take you to your hotel.
Hope you enjoy it very much.
http://www.madeira-seekers.com/MadeiraWalks.html
here you can see the most known ones.
Levada Queimadas - Caldeirão Verde was my favorite and u can go by yourself if u rent a car.
Another pretty one, but more of a mountain and harder, is Levada of Pico do Arieiro - Pico Ruivo but in this one you have to take a group tour so they catch you in the end of the walk and take you to your hotel.
Hope you enjoy it very much.
Apr 16th, 2013, 06:20 AM
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I wasn’t offering advice Gordon; just my impression of what the place might be like based on what I’ve been told over the years and what I’ve read too. I did state I’d never been there (not yet anyway). I just wanted to join in to keep the discussion going because I was enjoying learning about Madeira.
