Holiday & Travel Guide For Madeira, Portugal

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By Trevor Butler

Madeira, belonging to Portugal, is an all year round destination with the heat soaring to over 25 degrees in the summer months of June to August and warm moderate weather throughout the rest of the year. Funchal has some fabulous beaches to laze on under sunny blue skies for you to top up your tan. Or why not explore the waters by snorkeling and diving, or perhaps something more exhilarating like the jet skis. There are plenty of facilities on the popular beaches with cafes nearby and a variety of water sports throughout the year to keep most people happy and they are ideal for families too.

Sightseeing

Funchal is the capital of Madeira where you will find plenty to do while holidaying there. Try deep sea fishing and whale and dolphin watching, or wander around some of the wonderful botanical gardens and parks. The flower festivals are a must see during the month of June, and so are the New Year firework displays. Funchal goes back over 5 centuries so there is plenty to see. It has amazing architecture, impressive volcanoes, wonderful picturesque villages and an amazing cathedral which has a very interesting ceiling. It is decorated in Juniper wood with beautiful ivory inlays. Funchal has decorative paved streets and wonderful historic buildings and many churches to visit. It also has many museums. On Lido promenade where it is lined with palm trees, you can relax on one of the benches and look across the ocean at the breathtaking views. A must see has to be the caves at Sao Vicente. These caves are fascinating tunnels, left after the volcano erupted over 400 thousand years ago. You will also see some impressive stalagmites, but be sure to wear suitable footwear on your tour as it can be slightly slippery. If your budget is healthy, you could treat yourself and family to a balloon or helicopter flight over the city, it is very panoramic and exciting.

Eating

Restaurants and cafes are in abundance around the city and with an overflowing wealth of establishments you will not be short on a variety of foods. These range from traditional Portuguese and Spanish dishes like scabbard fish with banana or cod fish in cream sauce. Most dishes are typically made with fresh seafood. The usual international restaurants like pizza huts and burger bars are dotted around for those on a family budget as the restaurants can be rather expensive. You will find some moderately cheaper restaurants or cafes in the area, but as usual the boom in tourism dictates the inflated prices.

Evening entertainment

There are a few lively nightclubs for the younger crowds and plenty of bars and discotheques dotted around, along with a casino if you want to try your luck on the tables or in the slot machines. Many of the hotels offer themed nights that are ideal for family entertainment. These can range from local folklore dancing and singing to comedians. You won't be short of evening entertainment but it is quite low key during the week and livens up for the weekend. The shopping centres in the centre of the city are open until 22.00pm so you can shop away under the coolness of the evening air. Here you can purchase a variety of items from Lladdro ornaments to beautiful lace and many other souvenirs and gifts, or just to treat yourself to the well priced leather items.

Happy Holidays

Trevor Butler, co-founder and owner of holidayholiday.co.uk, specialists in cheap holidays and last minute holidays worldwide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Butler

10 Useful Portuguese Phrases

Below are a few useful Portuguese phrases with their English translations which may prove very useful for travellers

Holidays in Madeira Mean Unmatchable Aquatic Adventure

Madeira is a significant tourist spot in Portugal. Every year millions of people plan Madeira holidays especially to get drenched in excitement of beach activities. You can indulge in numerous aquatic activities while vacationing at the beach.

What to do in Madeira?

Madeira holidays are quickly becoming some of the most popular trips to take if you are looking to explore the world and enjoy yourself. This Portuguese peninsula is a beautiful archipelago that will allow you to enjoy a luxury vacation at a budget price.

Cheap Holidays to Madeira and Unlimited Fun and Excitement

Numerous adventure cravers plan cheap holidays to Madeira as this is area where there is no dearth of aquatic and land based activities. Scuba diving is among the most popular activities that can be enjoyed in the waters surrounding Madeira. There are several things that make this area an incredible place to enjoy the sport. Its climate that remains same all through the year offers great conditions to dive into the waters and explore the exuberant underwater beauty.

Madeira – the Best All Round Climate in Europe?

With a summer maximum of 29° centigrade (OK, occasionally there have been exceptions), and a winter low of around 17° centigrade, where else can you find such bearable temperatures. Even the sea only wavers a degree or two above and below the 20° centigrade mark all year around.

Explore Typical Madeira Markets in Madeira Holidays

Many markets were set up for selling flowers but with the time they are expanded into complete markets and you can buy many other things from here. Now you can find agriculture products and local food specialties from here such as grilled chicken‘bolo de caco' bread and wheat soup which can be consumed right there or take away.

Best Churches to Explore in Madeira Holidays

Madeira Holidays gives the opportunity to explore best religious places of the town. You can visit popular churches of this attractive tourist destination. Madeira is best known for different museums and art galleries due to the rich culture of this place. But if you are searching for historical and religious holidays you can plan your cheap holidays in Madeira to see best churches.

Madeira Portugal Pearl of the Atlantic

Madeira volcanic soil, plants and flowers blaze as creating a palette with a Tahitian Gauguin. The island grows a variety of colors - this zhakaranda, weight bougainvilleas, orchids, geraniums, puansettii, Cannes, wisteria. Scrub apples, avocados, mangoes and bananas grow on the island. Scents such as vanilla and wild fennel, mixed with the smells of the sea breath, get into the valley and create a unique charm of the island.

Explore Natural Richness of Madeira with Funchal Holidays

Nature lovers from around the world visit Funchal especially to visit gardens in Madeira Island. Some of the travel writes have referred Madeira as the "Floating Garden in the Atlantic." This is one of the most notable attractions in the city. While strolling around this city, you would come across variety of gardens. Some of these gardens are natural whereas others are maintained very carefully so that they don't lack even an ounce of the natural feel.

Funchal Holidays – Experience the Real Excitement of Visiting Portugal

Are you planning to spend your next vacation in Portugal? Yes! If you don't want to lose even a single aspect of Portugal, look out for Funchal holiday packages. Funchal is the city that summarizes the country. Visit the city to experience different colors of Portugal.