Madeira - Made For the Perfect Vacation
By Bill Bailey
Madeira (the Pearl of the Atlantic) archipelago is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 310 miles from the African coast and 620 miles from the European continent, which is the equivalent of a 1 and a half hour flight from Lisbon. Madeira has a surface area of 459 square miles, is 35 miles long and 13 miles wide.
Madeira is a singularly beautiful island. The scenery is memorable and remarkably diverse, especially bearing in mind the island's modest size. Madeira has been described as a 'floating garden', reflecting centuries of cultivation. The rich volcanic soil, mild climate and abundant rainfall (especially in the north) have been responsible for contrasting landscapes: lush river valleys, terraced hillsides planted with vines and bananas and dense primeval forest.
Madeira occupies a privileged geographical position in the Atlantic, which combined with its mountainous relief and the influence of the Gulf Stream provide exceptionally temperate climate with warm comfortable summers and mild winters, making it an enchanting holiday destination, all year round.
Madeira has very mild average temperatures, 22ºC in the summer and 16ºC in the winter, and a moderate level of humidity. The seawater temperature is also very mild, because of the influence of the warm Gulf current, presenting averages of 22ºC in the summer and 18º in the winter.
The island is full of small microclimates. The bay of Funchal, protected by the highest peaks, enjoys the best of sunshine. Further down the west coast at Ponta do Sol and Calheta, backed by the lower hills of the Paúl da Serra, the sun shines brighter during these months, but they are less protected from the sea winds.
The prevailing wind is the North Easterly Trade that gathers off the Portuguese coast and runs down to the Cape Verde Islands. It brings moisture and large sea swells to the north coast, and often, particularly in the morning, adversely affects the weather on the eastern end of the island between Caniço and Caniçal. However in a westerly wind these areas can be surprisingly dry and sunny, whereas the south and west coasts are duly soaked.
Madeira is of volcanic origin but unlike the other islands in the archipelago, which are barren, Madeira is lush and verdant and rich agricultural resource.
Madeira was discovered by the Portuguese in 1418, and is made up of the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo and the uninhabited islands of Selvagens and Desertas. The archipelago was named after the most important island, which not only devises its importance from its greater size but also from its extraordinary riches. The archipelago remains an autonomous region of Portugal, with native inhabitants holding Portuguese passports.
The population of Madeira is 266,000 with about half living in the capital Funchal, which received its name from a plant named "funcho". The name Madeira came from the fact that the island was once heavily afforested hence the island of Madeira means "the island of wood".
One can reach the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo by air or sea. There are two airports: Madeira International Airport - on Madeira, and Porto Santo Airport, on the island of Porto Santo. The ports of Funchal and Porto Santo are often visited by cruise ships and serve as gateways to the islands, as well as departure points to other destinations. Connections between the islands are either by air or ferryboats, which also transport cars. Surface transport on the islands is trouble-free thanks to the modern road structure, which has been significantly improved in recent years. Practically all points of these islands are served by a good road and transport network.
When you look at the size of Madeira, you can hardly imagine that this island has so much to offer! From many historical monuments, squares and streets in the capital of Funchal to enchanting gardens, picturesque villages, amazing landscapes, impressive volcanic caves, rugged coast lines, beautiful natural beaches and, last but not least, breathtaking views, there is so much to see that you will soon realise that one visit to Madeira just isn't enough!
There is a wide range of opportunities to satisfy your leisure requirements. The Atlantic invites you to go sailing, fishing, whale & dolphin spotting, water skiing, surfing, diving and of course swimming. For sub aquatic enthusiasts, the Garajau coastline offers one of Europe's first underwater nature reserves. The most enjoyable way to explore the island is to follow the course of the levadas (irrigation channels), which crisscross the countryside.
The island's burgeoning coastal resorts are geared to the demands of modern tourism and the expansion of Santa Catarina Airport is expected to lead to a marked increase in the number of foreign visitors over the next decade.
Madeira keeps the promise of extraordinary holidays with its magnificent sceneries, mild climate, serene ambience, colourful folklore and, last but not least, its most seducing gastronomy. The indigenous food is based on a peasant tradition, and in general terms, the closer you can get to the traditional methods of preparation and cooking, the better it tastes.
Due to the long established fishing tradition on the island, fish plays an important role on the daily menu of the locals. When you have spent a few days on the island, you will soon discover that Madeirans also have a sweet tooth! Everywhere on the island, in all the cafés, snack bars and restaurants, you will find a wide variety of cakes, sweets and desserts. Besides the world-renowned Madeira Wine, locals produce their own wine from different grapes - the so-called 'vinho seco' (dry wine).
If you are looking for a holiday on a beautiful island, with kind climate and hospitable, friendly locals, Madeira is thoroughly recommended. More information and travel articles can be found on the travel website http://www.travel-tastic.net.
Bill Bailey is freelance travel writer living in the UK.
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