Madeira, (off the west coast of northern Africa) an autonomous island of Portugal is the Hawaii of Europe.
The volcanic island with its pebbled beaches, public access to sea swimming from platforms or walled in sea is a destination inspiring adventure.
The high terraced farmed cliffs, fishing villages, hiking trails, waterfalls, green rugged terrain with subtropical climate put Madeira on my travel bucket list and should be on yours.
On your first visit, stay in Funchal, the capital. There are multiple tour agencies available in the city for exploring the island. Or, rent a car. The roads are well maintained.
We used http://Viator.com to book our Tuktuk private tour of the city, and a jeep tour of the island.
We used http://RCI.com to trade our week-based timeshare for the Alto Lido Hotel. We had a studio with a microwave, sink, and refrigerator. The kitchenette was sufficient for making morning coffee to enjoy on our balcony with a sea view.
There are many hotels in Funchal, Madeira. I typically investigate hotels and their reviews utilizing http://Booking.com.
The airport is small on Madeira on a very short runway. The flight is 90 minutes from Lisbon, Portugal. I booked my flights early, and the fare was about $100 one-way. (Portugal uses the Euro.)
A highlight of Madeira is riding down a paved hill in a basket. Take the Gondola from downtown Funchal up the mountain and walk up the hill following the signs. It was so fun!! It’s a must do!
The hotel offered a free shuttle to the old town. There are also taxis and city buses which are available.
The supermarket was just a half-block away and multiple restaurants were nearby.
Happy Travels!
Carol
