Re: I'm Going to Madeira - where do I start?
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In reply to:
I'm Going to Madeira - where do I start?
Gina 7/15/00
Hi Gina
I live in South Africa, but my parents are both from Madeira. I went there in 1995 for the first time. It is such a beautiful and unique island.
Many people will agree with me when I say that the best way to tour Madeira is often by taxi. Many friendly taxi drivers can be found in Funchal who would be more than willing to take tourists around the island. You should be able to see the major sites in only one day! The tourism office in Funchal was also very useful regarding information on alternative ways to explore the island. Group tours are also very professional and informative in Madeira. If your parents have the time, they should try a boat ride to nearby Porto Santo island, where they will find some exquisite golden sand beached ... unfortunately Madeira itself has no real sand beaches. If your parents like plants, or just want to relax and have a walk, the Funchal Botanical Gardens are absolutely beautiful, as are the gardens in town.
No trip to Madeira is complete without a drive along the scenic northern coastline which connects the towns of Seixal and São Vicente. Here you will find cascading waterfalls, lush vegetation and some stunningly rugged cliffside vistas. You will see a picture of one such vista at the following site, which also contains some useful travel info about Madeira: http://www.portugal-live.net/UK/madeira.htmlhttp://www.portugal-live.net/UK/madeira.html
Other very useful sites are:http://www.madeira-web.com/http://www.madeira-web.com/ and http://www.madeira-portugal.com/http://www.madeira-portugal.com/
As for eating out, there is nothing quite like the atmosphere of an 'Espetada' evening, complete with folkloric 'bailinho' dancing. I'll never forget the time I went to such an evening. The woman who was the head of the dancing group had to select one of the diners to dance with her ... and yes, you guessed it, that person was me! It was great fun and a memory never to be forgotten.
I hope I have been of some help to you.
Michael dos Santos
E-mail: [email protected]