Madeira the Floating Garden

Weather Temperatures range from 13c-24c.Be aware that it can rain, hence the abundance of plant life but the good news is that it tends to be more like April showers than complete downpours. October-December is regarded as the ‘dampest’ period, although it is still pleasantly warm.

Review If you are looking for a country that has retained its traditional charm, has wonderful scenery, superb gardens and a temperate climate, then this could be the place for you. A great place to unwind with plenty of outdoor interest but not one for the ‘disco dancers’!

Travelled With Style Holidays We have used three different travel agents over the years and Style has been by far the best. To start with the company specialise on Madeira. Their ‘Year Book’ bears this out as it not only gives you information on the various hotels and resorts but also, more importantly for the first time visitor, gives you a taste of the island with a comprehensive guide of the sights, gardens and general scenery. To our mind ‘Style’, as the name would imply, seems to be a cut above the rest and their representatives have to date been both helpful and unobtrusive; meaning that they have not bombarded us with trips….they are there when you want them, otherwise they leave you alone to enjoy your holiday. This is important to people such as ourselves who have visited the island many times. (no, we don’t work for Style!)

Gardens Be aware that while the island supports plants from both hemispheres, they still tend to keep their original seasons, so don’t expect to see daffodils flowering in July etc. There are very few plants that are not grown here as the island supports a number of mini climates the higher you go up the mountains.

Possibly the best time to see the plants at their best is during April/May/June, with May probably the best time to see the Jacaranda trees in full bloom….quite a sight down the main street of Funchal.

Monte Palace Tropical Garden is one not to be missed. This is only about 5km from Funchal and it’s well worth taking the cable car.

Jardim Botanico is the island’s largest public garden and is well worth a visit. You can get a bus from down town. (was 29 or 77 last time we were there).

Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro Gardens…quite a mouthful but generally known as ‘Blandy’s Gardens’. This garden is in about 30 acres and the plant life has been built up over a period of 200 years or more.

There are many other gardens to be seen in and around Funchal where the Tourist Guide Office in Funchal will give you details.

Fab Tips
1) Duty Free. Unless there are some really great offers, don't buy your duty-free wines & spirits at the airport on your way out. You are probably only saving an amount equal to the VAT.

2) Currency Exchange. Madeira, as you will know operates in Euros and we generally exchange travellers cheques, cash etc. at the hotel. In the past we have changed travellers cheques at one of the banks…never again as the commission at that time was over 15%.

Fish and Vegetable Markets

Blandy’s Wine Centre

A trip into the mountains




Destination Madeira, Portugal
At a Glance Warm Climate Plenty of outdoor activities Great hotels Botanists paradise! Duty free
Weather Temperatures range from 13c-24c.Be aware that it can rain, hence the abundance of plant life but the good news is that it tends to be more like April showers than complete downpours. October-December is regarded as the ‘dampest’ period, although it is still pleasantly warm.
Review If you are looking for a country that has retained its traditional charm, has wonderful scenery, superb gardens and a temperate climate, then this could be the place for you. A great place to unwind with plenty of outdoor interest but not one for the ‘disco dancers’! This is an island that deserves to be visited at differing times of the year in order to enjoy and appreciate the accumulated collection of plants from around the world. My wife and I have had six holidays on the island to date and no doubt we will have many more as the contrasts and interest that this particular destination offer are many as they are varied. Be aware that this is not a ‘bucket & spade’ resort as sea swimming isn’t taken on lightly with an initial depth of over twelve feet and that we may add is at the edge! If you like swimming then make sure you stay at a hotel that has a heated pool and below you'l find details about the Cliff Bay Hotel - it's just perfect!
Travelled With Style Holidays We have used three different travel agents over the years and Style has been by far the best. To start with the company specialise on Madeira. Their ‘Year Book’ bears this out as it not only gives you information on the various hotels and resorts but also, more importantly for the first time visitor, gives you a taste of the island with a comprehensive guide of the sights, gardens and general scenery. To our mind ‘Style’, as the name would imply, seems to be a cut above the rest and their representatives have to date been both helpful and unobtrusive; meaning that they have not bombarded us with trips….they are there when you want them, otherwise they leave you alone to enjoy your holiday. This is important to people such as ourselves who have visited the island many times. (no, we don’t work for Style!) Hotels After staying at a number of hotels we have settled for ‘The Cliff Bay’ as this is both well placed just on the outskirts of Funchal and has excellent facilities; you really couldn’t wish for more. It should be pointed out that they also have a heated swimming pool that is both indoor and extends outside, so if you are unlucky to experience a bit of rain you can still take a swim. Provided you don’t mind heights, we would recommend rooms on the ninth floor facing towards Reids Hotel, namely 901/902 or 921/922. There are also rooms that are specifically designed for people with disabilities, offering wide doorways for wheelchairs and appropriate bathroom facilities. You can call the hotel direct with any special requirements you may have on a freephone number from the UK 0800 964 328 or email info@cliffbay.com. Their website is www.cliffbay.com. Another hotel that is worth a mention is the ‘Quinta Do Sol’. This again is at the edge of Funchal but be sure to have a room at the back of the hotel. While the front rooms have balconies and face the sea , it should be noted that the sea is at least a quarter of a mile away and the rooms face out onto a busy road intersection. Make sure you book a room at the rear of the hotel, where the rooms are not only cheaper but also face out onto a garden park. Book rooms preferably near the centre, rooms ~ 532/535 are well positioned.

Gardens Be aware that while the island supports plants from both hemispheres, they still tend to keep their original seasons, so don’t expect to see daffodils flowering in July etc. There are very few plants that are not grown here as the island supports a number of mini climates the higher you go up the mountains. Possibly the best time to see the plants at their best is during April/May/June, with May probably the best time to see the Jacaranda trees in full bloom….quite a sight down the main street of Funchal. Monte Palace Tropical Garden is one not to be missed. This is only about 5km from Funchal and it’s well worth taking the cable car. Jardim Botanico is the island’s largest public garden and is well worth a visit. You can get a bus from down town. (was 29 or 77 last time we were there). Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro Gardens…quite a mouthful but generally known as ‘Blandy’s Gardens’. This garden is in about 30 acres and the plant life has been built up over a period of 200 years or more. There are many other gardens to be seen in and around Funchal where the Tourist Guide Office in Funchal will give you details.
Fab Tips 1) Duty Free. Unless there are some really great offers, don't buy your duty-free wines & spirits at the airport on your way out. You are probably only saving an amount equal to the VAT. 2) Currency Exchange. Madeira, as you will know operates in Euros and we generally exchange travellers cheques, cash etc. at the hotel. In the past we have changed travellers cheques at one of the banks…never again as the commission at that time was over 15%.
Other Places to Visit
Fish and Vegetable Markets	Blandy’s Wine Centre	A trip into the mountains
are not to be missed, situated near the bus station down town.	off the main high street of Funchal…..free Madeira wine tasting!	(max. 6,000ft.) can be quite exhilarating but make sure you pick a cloudless day!


Camara de Lobos is a scenic spot where Winston Churchill used to paint his pictures when he lived on the island. It should also be noted that he spent his days ‘holed up in’ Reids hotel.
Tours There are plenty of tour operators offering trips around the island but if there are four of you then economically it is well worth considering a taxi, for not only do the drivers know all the scenic spots but you are able to stay as long or short a time as you wish.
Walking If you like walking then this is the place for you. Many people come to Madeira, particularly in the winter months, simply for the walking and the scenery that comes with it. With over 600 miles of water channels called lavadas stretching up and over the island, most of which have a path associated with them, you are spoilt for choice. The walks are graded from easy to quite difficult. There are a number of walking guide operators who specialise in lavada walking and once again the Tourist Guide Office will give you details. Take a torch if you are really keen on lavada walking as we couldn’t help noticing that some of the paths went through tunnels! Eating Out There are any amount of places to eat. Make sure you try some of the espada fish, a speciality of Madeira. Joe’s Bar, near the Carlton Hotel, is very good and quite reasonable. It is situated in the backstreets leading to the Savoy Hotel.

Shopping Funchal is quite a sophisticated town with plenty of shops of all persuasions, including a real old style department store. Madeira is part of Portugal and as such has EEC status. Having said that it also is a ‘duty free zone’ as far as Portugal is concerned; therefore you are unlikely to see wines and spirits sold any cheaper than here. There is a ‘hypermarket’ that is situated quite a way out of town…we didn’t think it was worth the trip as you can get most of what is on offer in town and with a little bit of price checking, at much the same cost. Unlike other destinations such as this, because of the EEC rules there is a high limit on the amount you can bring back into the UK…..you are probably limited by the tonnage that the aircraft can carry!





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