We are excited about our trip to Spain, Portugal,and France next summer!
We have a timeshare exchange on Madiera and have tried to get information about the ferry, Naviera Armas and I cannot get the information requested. We would like to know if there are any Fordorites out there that took the ferry this past summer?? Any tips on their website. How much is the ferry and does it still travel only once a week? I appreciate your help!

I wish I could help with the ferry but I flew to Madeira. But if you have any other questions about Madeira I'll be happy to answer if I can. I LOVED Madeira and I regret it's so often overlooked by Americans.

We have been to Madeira but flew as well. First and foremost do a couple of lavada walks.

We also flew to Madeira, so I have no ferry experience, but maybe this page can help you: http://www.directferries.co.uk/naviera_armas.htm
We were in Funchal in February. Being too lazy for levada walks we enjoyed it none the less. It is so beautiful, so lush, so fertile. My trip report is at http://sitestory.dk/rejser/madeira2003/indexe.htm

Thank you so much for your replies. Eric I enjoyed your trip report and the directferries website appeared to be working until the end. At least it gave me a number to call. Naviera Armas just started this past year with a ferry. Eric would you not recommend driving over on the island? We usually lease a car but I am debating renting a car in Barcelona then dropping it off in Lisbon, then flying to Madiera. We could then pick up another car on our return to Lisbon from Madeira and drive from there to Paris.

Hi Nokomis - I think you need a car - for a couple of days at least - to see the best of Madeira.

The weekly ferry from Portimão to Funchal is a 22h passage through often rough seas. My guess is that the ferry is mainly aimed at freight traffic and some islanders moving back to the mainland for an extended stay with their vehicles. Virtually all tourists arrive by air (about 2h flying time from Lisbon / Porto) or as day visitors on a cruise ship. I'd be surprised if anyone on this board has used the ferry to get to Madeira, even more so as the islands attract very few US visitors who make up the vast majority on Fodors.com.

However you decide to get to Madeira, you will be glad you did. The amazing scenery and lush vegetation make it one of the most beautiful places on the planet in my opinion. Hire a car and discover for yourself the many hidden places outside Funchal. Just take it easy on the narrow roads and you'll be fine.

I'd hire a car in Madeira for a couple of days, but be prepared for mountain driving - narrow roads and hairpin bends.

Although we did not explore the entire we used public transportation. And as described there were some roads and turns that made us think we were going to be a headline in The International Herald Tribune.

I have been to Madeira at least 10 times. And always by plane. And never rented a car, instead we always buy a 7-day bus ticket. That is valid in Funchal and environs. And then we have just bought individual bus tickets to travel around the island. There is also always a line of taxis in Funchal´s central park. They have fixed prices for just about every imaginable round trip. They also come and pick you up at a given time if you for example walk a levada that ends in the middle of nowhere.

Stopped in Madiera on a Cruise and hired a Taxi at a great rate for a Tour of the island

It sounds like this island is very special! Where are some special places to be enjoyed on this island. Is there any similarity to the Hawaiian islands?
I am also looking into car rentals pickup in Spain with a drop off in Lisbon, any suggestions?

nokomis, funny you should mention Hawaii. When I stepped off the plane the first thing I said was how much it reminds me of Hawaii. The levada walks are wonderful. Monte Palace tropical gardens are a must. A trip to the north side of the island for a day in Porto Moniz is a day well spent.

I'm sure there's a lot more, but I only had a few days there. I will go again.

http://www.madeira-live.com/en/gardens.html