Review: Island of Madeira

marco murphy

Iam not an expert at reviews but feel free to ask any questions you want.





Capital - Funchal
Language - Portuguese (Everyone seems to have English )



Had a 36 hour delay, sick of talking about it so I'll forget about that.

Arrived in Madeira to a hotel called Baia Azul. Very nice hotel, four star, with nice staff.
I'd recommend it to anyone, as you can see on the website theres loads of facilities, fitness, etc.

One thing that strikes me is that the island has quite good infrastructure. In comparison to Lanzarote, which I came across caved in footpaths and so on, Madeira is magnificent in that area.
It was annoying humid for me in the mornings but a breeze arrived every day at around 12 O'Clock so I was happy enough. The hotel is located in the capital city, Funchal, which is a beauty spot. It's not overly big and only took me two days and Iam confident I know my way around it, to nice restaurants and so on. The old town is just breath taking with cobled streets and open markets. I got nice views of it by getting the famous cable car above over the Old Town up to the high alititude town of Monte, where world reknowned gardens are based and a magnificent cathedral.

I got a particullar taxi driver home one evening, and i had become aware that they do offer day long tours about the Island (better than an effing bus). So this man had good english gave him 100 euro the next day and he drove all around the island showing me different locations. Absolutely breathtaking, so much so I gave him a generous tip of fifty euro.

Well thats all I can type feel free to ask any questions.

marco murphy

Highest Point of Island - Is'nt is just unreal..




Eagle Mountain

awhir

nice place.

dogmatix

Great pics! The first one is a real keeper. I was on the highest point too but it was covered in clouds, mist and rain. Nice to see what I missing...

bronte

beautiful place..was there a few years ago, really gorgeous!

Wheelhaus

I was in Funchal a few months ago. Amazing place. I am 21 and was probaly the youngest person on the island by a bout 50 years.

Culchie

Wheelhaus wrote: »

I was in Funchal a few months ago. Amazing place. I am 21 and was probaly the youngest person on the island by a bout 50 years.

Yeh, was going to ask that. From what I heard, it's great place to visit, if you're in your golden years, but a little too sedate for young couples etc...

Puna

It looks lovely we thinking of goin in jan anyone been there that time of year is it expensive how many hours flight????

vincenzo1975

my wife is from madeira, monte to be exact, I was married in that church in 2001. the whole family went over. We had the local quoir, and the mass was in 75% portuguese and 25% english.

We go there every two years to visit family, I have found in the last couple of years that the freindliness factor is slipping a bit, think this is mainly due to the economy taking a bashing.

The food is unvbelievable, the local fish espada, is the nicest I have ever tasted, and the beef on skewers, espetada, is also fantastic. I have had many meals and nice bottles of wine in the small marina, looking out over the boats.

Our last trip was over the new year, most people dont know but madiera regulerly has the biggest fireworks display in the world on new years eve. It is simply a moment of wonder that has to be seen to be believed. the city of Funchal is basically a big ampitheathre and the sound and light that are on show is magnificent. I would recommend to anyone to make this trip at some stage in your life. The 8 biggest cruise ships in the world pulled in last year for the show.

It is a quite old age group that goes, but we have seen over the last 8-10 years, the age group get younger, with more families going then ever before. the hotels are nearly all fantastic. The real plus is that there is no 18-25 year age group drinking in bars and making a nuisence, this is a relaxation holiday in a beautiful place.

If self catering, the SA shops(tesco equivilent are really cheap and of good quality)

marco murphy

vincenzo1975 wrote: »

my wife is from madeira, monte to be exact, I was married in that church in 2001. the whole family went over. We had the local quoir, and the mass was in 75% portuguese and 25% english.

We go there every two years to visit family, I have found in the last couple of years that the freindliness factor is slipping a bit, think this is mainly due to the economy taking a bashing.

The food is unvbelievable, the local fish espada, is the nicest I have ever tasted, and the beef on skewers, espetada, is also fantastic. I have had many meals and nice bottles of wine in the small marina, looking out over the boats.

Our last trip was over the new year, most people dont know but madiera regulerly has the biggest fireworks display in the world on new years eve. It is simply a moment of wonder that has to be seen to be believed. the city of Funchal is basically a big ampitheathre and the sound and light that are on show is magnificent. I would recommend to anyone to make this trip at some stage in your life. The 8 biggest cruise ships in the world pulled in last year for the show.

It is a quite old age group that goes, but we have seen over the last 8-10 years, the age group get younger, with more families going then ever before. the hotels are nearly all fantastic. The real plus is that there is no 18-25 year age group drinking in bars and making a nuisence, this is a relaxation holiday in a beautiful place.

If self catering, the SA shops(tesco equivilent are really cheap and of good quality)

Must have been spectacular to marry in that church. Congratulations.

vincenzo1975

yes it was, really fantastic.

bocha

Perestroika - what are the prices like out there for say pint of beer, meal and taxis