Madeira, the island of eternal spring
Madeira is a spectacular place to see. Starting with the landing on the airport of Funchal which offers an amazing view of the island and is an extraordinary experience if you’re an aviation fan. We were surprised to see such a cloudy sky over Funchal when we arrived, but we soon learned that Madeira has so many different climates that the sun can shine just few blocks away. There is such a great diversity in these 800 square kilometers, from the relief to the weather, the plants and the food. And the best way to explore the island is by renting a car. Family day trips ending with a dinner with ocean view at Doca do Cavacas – this is how we spent our week in Madeira. There are many beautiful and affordable places to stay on the island, from thr famous Quintas to the nice apartments on the coast. We rented an apartment on Estrada Monumental, right in the middle of the touristic area, but yet so quiet and cozy. So we made it our home rapidly and adjusted to the island life very easily. Mornings at the market (Mercado dos Lavadores) to buy maracuja and other local fresh goodies, followed by a breakfast on the balcony. Cocktails and pastries in the evening, accompanied by some local music on a terrace with spectacular views, watching the beautiful sunset across the Bay of Funchal. You have to try the afternoon tea on the terrace of Reid’s Palace, a true feast for the eyes and a famous tradition that is definitely worth living, whether you are a tea drinker or not. Every day between breakfast and dinner would find us on the road. Its the best way to explore the island when travelling with kids. Because the distances are not very long and the trips usually have the lenghts of a late morning or afternoon nap. From the nearby fisherman village Camara de Lobos driving through the sun-drenched banana trees, for a lunch at Praia di Vigario restaurante, then chasing the sun in Ponta do Sol, eating grilled octopus on the beach.
Take a day to drive to Porto Moniz and see the natural swimming pools. On the way you will explore the natural diversity of the island, from the lichen-covered misty forests, to the spectacular ocean views from the high coast, passing through small Madeiran villages, with a lot of viewpoints (the famous miradouros) where you can stop and just soak in all the fresh air, while admiring the amazing panoramas. We found a playground in every small city, so Radu was obviously more than happy at every stop that we made.
After Porto Moniz, make a stop at the Restaurant club naval in the neighbouring city of Seixal for a lunch with an amazing view.
Madeira is not exactly the place to go for lazy days at the beach. Because most of the beaches are rocky, the air is slightly cold and definitely very windy. And besides all that, there is so much to explore that it’s worth driving around then laying down on a beach chair. Just walking through all the banana plantations or watching the surfers on the black sand beach in Seixal, visiting the whale museum and the small artisan shops in Canical or eating a fruit salad under the sun on a small terrace in Porto Novo. Back in Funchal, do not miss the cable car ride that will take you to the botanical garden and a walk in the old town, admiring the large tiles that decorate every façade, with a stop at the Café do Museu enjoying a delicious pasteis de maracuja.
