The Pearl of the Atlantic, the floating garden, the island of perennial spring… few other islands can have inspired more poetic names than Madeira. But aside from its botanical gardens and verdant coastal and mountainous regions, the island is also rich in history. Madeira’s location off the coast of Morocco has given the island a surprisingly balanced climate, with mild, moderate temperatures all year round. It has also blessed the island with stunning and varied vegetation. Along the south coast, you find banana plantations tightly packed on steep, stone-walled terraces. Heading for the mountains, you pass through vineyards and vegetable patches before reaching misty forests of eucalyptus, mimosa and mahogany trees. The higher reaches of Madeira’s central spine are covered in heather, whilst the humid north of the island is cloaked in a dense jungle of laurel trees, shrubs, ferns and mosses.

Although Madeira is comparatively small, you should allow plenty of time for exploration,

not only to allow for the mountainous terrain, but also to savour the fabulous views

that unfold around every corner. Exploration on foot is also enjoyable for the

reasonably fit, particularly along the ancient “levadas”, an

extensive network of irrigation channels dating back to the

15th and 16th century. Whether you seek the cultured sophistication

of Funchal, the rural simplicity of the villages or the untouched

nature of the uninhabited interior,

Madeira really is an island for all seasons, offering excellent

scope for fascinating exploration and superb facilities for

blissful relaxation, you can feel nature all around.

Downloads Courtesy of Madeira Tourismo