There is a saying that Earth laughs in flowers, and what a better smile than the eternally green island of Madeira!

Location: The pearl of the Atlantic is located 560 km from Morocco and 400 km north of Tenerife / Canary islands, and it is considered as the westernmost point of the European Union.

There are different and kind of exotic options to get here. Funchal International Airport, for example, was only 1600 meters long in 1964, surrounded by high mountains and the Atlantic. In 2000 it increased almost double its size, having its new track extended over the ocean. This engineer innovation allowed Funchal to receive the outstanding Structure Award by the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), also known as The Oscars of Engineer work.

Equally exotic is the port, where each day big cruise ships and luxury yachts berth. I had the pleasure to visit Madeira during my trip with the luxury cruise ship MSC Splendida. This however limited my stay on the island to 7 hours. Therefore I had to take the best of them and I signed for one of the half day excursions, which can be purchased from the ship or from tourist offices on the island.

Our trip started from the “capital city” of Madeira – Funchal. The city is located in the southern part of the island and is known for its beautiful gardens and flowers that bloom throughout the year. Not for nothing the island is called Ilha Jarden, meaning island-garden. Besides many flowers, the city is over crowded by people. Many houses are perched even on the steep slopes of the mountain, where magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean reveal. Funchal is a birthplace of the football star Cristiano Ronaldo, which makes the island even more blessed and visited.

The bus took us up to the mountain, to the most picturesque place on earth – Eira do Serrado. Only 25 minutes north from Funchal, at 1053 meters altitude, there is a magnificent terrace with spectacular views of the valley of nuns. It is called like that because in 16th century the nuns were hiding here from the frequent pirates attacks.

Today this “haven of rest” should be named valley of tourists who come and remain silent in front of this beauty and the only sound to be heard is from the continuously snapping cameras.

​While getting back from the mountain, our bus passed again through narrow winding roads, with wonderful views and with scent of pine and eucalyptus. Despite what is written in travel guides, the roads on the island, as well as those on continental Portugal, are well maintained and smooth, and the only danger for the drivers here are the incredible panoramic views that distract and make you stop sharply and take a photo break.

Stunning panoramic views can be seen also from the church Nossa Senjhora do Monte, dating back to the 18th century, with beautiful colorful stained glasses.  Under its foot the panoramic cable car starts its way, leading us back into the hearth of Funchal. Some members of our group preferred more traditionally travel down with Madeira basket sled ride.

This transport for descending from the mountain origin back around 1850. Today it is one of most popular attractions for tourist who enjoy the “high” speedy of 48 km/h passing through narrow streets, sitting on basket sleigh, guided by experienced leaders, whose shoes sole are made from iron!

If you like to make photos, it is better to get back to Funchal by the cable car, which gives 360° degree view of the city and the Atlantic coast.

Intoxicated by the beautiful scenery, it was time to bet intoxicated by the famous Madeira wine in one of the many wineries in the town. Here the wines are divided into dry/aperitifs and dessert wines, all of them produced by a specific process, which involves heating the wine for a prolonged period to a high temperature (60-80 degrees Celsius). This gives amber color and caramel-walnut tones in wine taste and aroma.

Food has also its long traditions on the island, it is especially recommended to try Espetada (meat on a skewer), Beef with wine and garlic or Picado, which is fried veal with garlic, served in small bites with fries, which are prick with fork (from here come the name picar = prick).

In the afternoon we had 2 hours free time, which we could not spend in shopping because it coincides with the daily siesta from 13:00 to 15:00 and all the shops were closed. The time was perfect for sightseeing the city center, whose buildings were fully restored and renovated after many bombing in First World War. Besides the lovely buildings there were several green parks with lots of flowers and trees. The name Madeira actually comes from the word “madeira” meaning “wood”, and green trees still dominate the beautiful island.

Throughout the day, the sun generously smiled and the earth laughs in flowers turning Madeira island into birthplace of spring.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT MADEIRA:

Location: Madeira island is part of Portuguese archipelago located in the north Atlantic Ocean, 900 km from continental Portuguese  
Area: 801 sq.km
Population:  267 785 people