You must book your flights
& tickets before reserving a hotel!
Out there in the Atlantic Ocean, but not far from the centre of
Europe, is one of the “biggest” archipelagos in the world. It is
not large in size but the big-heartedness of its inhabitants
certainly makes up for that. This is the main feature of the
people from the Madeira Archipelago, which consists of Madeira,
Porto Santo and the Desertas and Selvagens Islands.
Madeira is also very famous for its natural environment, where
the most important feature is the Laurissilva Forest, a relic of
the Tertiary Age, which has been classified by UNESCO as a World
Natural Heritage Site. It is no less well known for its
year-round outdoor sports.
The island’s mild climate and a water temperature that never
goes below 17ºC mean that you can be on the go all the time. Its
traditions and customs, visible in its old buildings, museums
and churches and even in regional products like its wine and
embroidery, have lasted for centuries and deserve your very
special attention.
Porto Santo is 40 km from Madeira and is quite simply heaven
on earth! This island, with a 9‑kilometre beach of golden sand
washed by warm, crystalline waters is the ideal refuge for a
quiet, relaxing holiday.
As for the uninhabited Desertas and Selvagens Islands, take a
trip there and, in a few hours, you will get to know some of the
rarest fauna and flora on the planet.
The Desertas Islands are about 22 miles southwest of Funchal
and have been made a biogenetic reserve, which, today, is that
last Atlantic refuge of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus
monachus), the rarest seal in the world.
The Selvagens Islands are made up of two groups of small
islands, Selvagem Grande and Selvagem Pequena, and are about 180
miles from Madeira.
These islands also have a nature reserve, where we can find
some of the rarest flora on the planet. They are also considered
a bird sanctuary because of their ideal nesting conditions for
sea birds.
Nightlife
in Madeira
After a great day out, there's nothing like the Madeiran
nightlife for fun and relaxation. After a great day out, there's
nothing like the Madeiran nightlife for fun and relaxation. A
glass of the famous Madeira wine savoured at sundown is the best
way to end the day and get ready for the evening. Beers and
local soft drinks, especially passion fruit juices, are highly
appreciated too. Traditional drinks like the many varieties of
Poncha or a Nikita or Pé de Cabra are other choices for
beginning the evening at one of the specialised bars.
Restaurants
in Madeira
Thanks to its fertile soil and abundant fish, Madeira's
traditional dishes are very healthy. Fish dishes, like scabbard
fillet, tuna steak and escabeche tuna, and meat dishes like the
traditional brochette and marinated meat, accompanied by the
traditional fried corn and tasty bolo do caco bread, are a must
for visitors to the island. In Madeira and Porto Santo there are
restaurants for all tastes, from the most modern and
sophisticated eateries with international cuisine to regional
restaurants and welcoming, traditional taverns.
Leisure activities
Madeira offers a wide variety of leisure activities. If you want
to go on an organised walk with a specialised guide, play golf
or some other sport or enjoy the pleasures of the sea on a boat
trip, diving or game fishing, go to a specialised company, where
they will help you make the most of these activities and enjoy
your holiday safely and to the full.
Holiday activity companies specialise in organising
recreational, cultural, sports and leisure activities in the
city at sea, in the hills and in the air. They can also rent you
the equipment you need.
Nautical tourist operators specialise in activities in tourist
vessels.
The travel agencies can help you join in these programmes
too.
Nature Reserve
The Madeira Nature Reserve was created in 1982 in order to
preserve a huge natural heritage, which is part of the world's
heritage and includes some species in danger of extinction, as
well as some high quality human habitats. It has been classified
as Bioenergetic Reserve and it contains flora and fauna unique
in the whole world.(more)
Parks and Gardens
There had been plans to open a botanical garden in Madeira ever
since the 17th century. And in 1960 this dream finally came
true. Madeira Botanical Garden is 3 km from the centre of
Funchal on the south side of a valley with exceptional
conditions for its exuberant vegetation.(more)
Nature
One of the greatest tourist attractions of the Island of Madeira
lies in its spectacular landscape. Its luxurious vegetation
continues to fascinate all those closely drawn to nature.
This archipelago, included in the bio-geographic region of
Macaronesia, retains a natural heritage of great scientific
value, distinguished by UNESCO as World Natural Heritage.(more)
Agriculture
Madeira's agricultural heritage results from centuries of
cultivation, during which thousands upon thousands of poios or
terraces have been built. The poios rise from sea level up the
mountainsides. These terraces have won a long battle with the
stark Madeira terrain, which is so rough and steep that the
islanders have created a lasting monument to their ingenuity and
skills.(more)
Walks
The best way to reach the interior of the island of Madeira and
enjoy the splendour of its untamed landscape is to follow the
footpaths.(more)
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![Do Santo Hotel [ex Baia]](hotel_images/20030618135753320313.gif)
