Enjoy walking in thte city center
Madeira - "The Pearl of the Atlantic" - Reveals some of the Island attributes....
Tuesday 16 August 2011
Wednesday 20 July 2011
Friday 24 June 2011
Funchal
“Funchal means “fennel” and the city`s name is said to derive from the abundance of fennel plants that Zarco, the island`s discoverer, found growing here when he arrived in 1420. Zarco chose this spot to found the future capital because of its sheltered natural harbour, which today is filled with every kind of vessel, from rusty container ships to luxurious cruise liners.” (pg. 31)
“Essential Madeira ” (2001), Hampshire: AA Publishing
Thursday 16 June 2011
Golf
“The golf in Madeira comes from the year 1937, when the British families Miles, Leacock and Blandy built the first 9-hole golf course.” (pg. 59)
“Madeira – Porto Santo Guide”, Funchal: DRAC
“Madeira has two golf courses, both noted for their magnificent views and picturesque setting. The older one is the 27-hole, 6.015 t, Santo da Serra course set high on a plateau to the east of the island, venue fo the Madeira Open tournament (held every year in Spring time) which attracts many top international players.
The newer course is the 18-hole, 6.015 m,
, situated high above Funchal and carved out of the 324-hectare Quinta do Palheiro estate The views are enhanced by the surrounding woodland, much of it planted by the Blandy family since they acquired the estate in 1885.” (pg. 159)
, situated high above Funchal and carved out of the 324-hectare Quinta do Palheiro estate The views are enhanced by the surrounding woodland, much of it planted by the Blandy family since they acquired the estate in 1885.” (pg. 159)
Wednesday 15 June 2011
Santo da Serra
“Santo da Serra occupies a low plateau to the east of Madeira . It has its own microclimate and is often under cloud, rain or mist when nearby Funchal is dry and sunny. Despite this, wealthy city merchants began to build mansions here from the 18th century and the area acquired a reputation as a healthy summer resort.
Today it is best known by sports-loving visitors as the location of a fine golf course with sea views from the fairways and ine plantations reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands.” (pg. 108 – 109)
“Travellers Madeira ” (2001), Hampshire: AA Publishing
Google Maps Location: Link
Tuesday 14 June 2011
Jardim de Santa Catarina
“If you walk to central Funchal from the Hotel Zone on a regular basis you will soon get to know this public park on the hillside overlooking the harbour. A mini botanical garden, it contains a number of fine specimen trees planted in the late 1940s when the garden was converted frm a disused cemetery.
Fountains and aviaries dot the park as well as some industrial reics – a steamroller and a sugar-cane-mil, for example.” (Pg. 42 – 43)
Monday 13 June 2011
Thursday 9 June 2011
Wednesday 8 June 2011
What did the Media write about Madeira......
"The Madeira Island: The place to be for active tourists"
"Visitors of Madeira Island can enjoy hiking, admire the landscape, swim in the sea and also explore local cuisine that includes delicious fish as well as the famous Madeira wine."
To continue reading this article in "TourismReview.com": Link
Madeira awards and Certifications.......
The quality of services offered by the Madeira tourism sector is frequently recognised, both byInternational Tour Operators and other organisations. Find out what prizes were awarded in the last three months:
You may continue reading it: Link
"Jardim Botânico"
“Nineteenth-century writers bestowed many fanciful names on Madeira to describe the island`s botanical wealth – “a floating greenhouse” and “God`s botanical garden” being among them. The first seeds were probably carried by oceanic currents from West Africa, or reached Madeira in bird droppings. Thriving in the island`s fertile volcanic soil, species evolved that are unique to the island . Early settlers may have destroyed many more plants as they slashed and burned the island`s dense vegetation. Zarco ordered the island`s woods to be set alight , and such was the ferocity of the resulting blaze that the explorers were driven to their ships, eventually being forced to put out to sea to escape the heat.” (pg. 35)
“Essential Madeira” (2001) Hampshire: AA Publishing
Tuesday 7 June 2011
Monday 6 June 2011
Old Town (Zona Velha) – Funchal
Funchal`s Zona Velha (Old Town), formerly the city`s slum, is now an area of quaint cobbled streets with craft shops occupying the low, one-roomed houses where at one time whole families slept, ate and played. The old fishing community has not been entirely eradicated, however, for there is still a working boatyard at the western end of the Zona Velha. At the eastern end, under the walls of the Fortaleza de São Tiago, there is a tinny black-pebble beach (the Praia da Barreirinha) where local people still come to bathe and eat grilled sardines sold by enterprising street vendors.” (pg. 26)
“Travellers Madeira” (2001), Hampshire: AA Publishing
Funchal.........
Far from being the provincial island backwater you might expect from its remote location, Madeira`s capital is a bustling city of 100.000 people (a third of the island`s population). Visitors from mainland Portugal frequently refer to Funchal as “little Lisbon” because of its elegant architecture, fashionable shops and lively cafés. Again like Lisbon, the city streets twist and tumble up and down the steep hillside that rises from the harbour.
Only in the city centre are the streets level, and here the main avenues and squares are elegantly paved with black and white stone forming mosaic work patterns based on heraldic flowers or arabesques. Flowering trees provide shade from the sun, while the heady scent of jasmine betrays the presence of one of Funchal`s many hidden patios and courtyard gardens.” (pg. 30)
“Travellers Madeira” (2001), Hampshire: AA Publishing
Friday 3 June 2011
Thursday 2 June 2011
ATLANTIC FESTIVAL 2011
From 04th to 25th June 2011
The Atlantic Festival, an event that marks the beginning of the summer season in Madeira, will this year integrate a diverse set of initiatives spread throughout the month of June, most importantly the International Fireworks Competition in Madeira; the Madeira Music Festival; the Regional Arts Week; and the "24th Tour of Madeira - Classic Rally”.
You may read more information on the following Link
You may read more information on the following Link
Madeira History
"About 20 million years ago: Madeira comes into being
As a consequence of intensive tectonic activity and volcanic eruptions under the sea, there is a piling-up of lava material in the Atlantic Ocean during the Mesozoic period (about 5-25 million years ago).
The seabed rises to as much as 400 m above its original level. Several million years later the final volcanos become extinct and plants and trees begin to grow on the fertile layer of lava.” (pg. 31)
“AA . Baedeker - Madeira ” (2000) Automobile Association Developments Limited, Hampshire: AA Publishing
Madeira - Flora
“When João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira with their followers discovered Madeira in 1419, they found an island of steep and rough terrain, covered by thick forest – hence the island`s name (“Madeira” is Portuguese for “wood”).
It was not least the obvious intractability of the island`s terrain which caused the discoverers first of all to settle on the more easily accessible neighbouring island of Porto Santo and use the latter as a base from which to open up and explore the main island. It took several centuries to make the island suitable for cultivation, the most appropriate method for the early Portuguese settlers being to clear away the forests by burning.” (pg. 13-14)
“AA . Baedeker - Madeira ” (2000) Automobile Association Developments Limited, Hampshire: AA Publishing
Wednesday 1 June 2011
What the media said about Madeira....
If you wish you may read it in the Link
Madeira – “Famous People”
John Blandy (1783-1855)
“The Briton John Blandy was born in Dorchester in 1783 and came to Madeira for the first time in 1783 and came to Madeira for the first time in 1807 as quartermaster for the British garrison. He fell in love with the island and four years later, after leaving military service, he settled on the island for good. Blandy purchased the house at 8, Rua de São Francisco and founded a business dealing in Madeira wine. “Blandy`s Madeira Wine Company” became well-known all over Europe and had successful branches not just in England, but also in Lisbon and later on Gran Canaria.” (pg. 36)
“AA . Baedeker - Madeira” (2000) Automobile Association Developments Limited, Hampshire: AA Publishing
Tuesday 31 May 2011
What did the Media write about Madeira......
An article published in "Telegraph" on 20 February 2011:
"Portugal: A slice of Madeira"
"Hit by a devastating storm a year ago today, the diminutive Portuguese island and its inhabitants have bounced back brilliantly, says Rodney Bolt."
“Peace and Quiet”
“On Madeira you can escape quickly and easily from the bustle of modern life by walking alongside the island`s extensive network of irrigation canals. Called levadas, these watercourses link village to village and penetrate deep into the mountains heart of the island. Levadas follow the island`s contours, falling with an almost imperceptible gradient so it is possible to walk for miles on level paths, enjoying Madeira´s exhilarating landscapes with none of the physical effort normally associated with mountain climbing. Along the route you will encounter shady eucalyptus forest, fragrant with menthol, sundappled clearings where butterflies feed, banks of wild hydrangeas and amaryllis, rural farms and orchards, rockcut tunnels and waterfalls.” (pg. 12)
(The AA travel guide “Essential Madeira” (2001))
“Essence of Madeira”
The AA travel guide “Essential Madeira” (2001) says:
“Landscape and climate combine on Madeira to create an island of all-year-round appeal. In winter, while northern Europe shivers, southerly Madeira is basking in balmly sunshine. In summer, whilst searing heat turns much of southern Europe arid, the island remains a green semi-tropical paradise. The air heavy with the scent of flowers To travel around Madeira is to encounter breathtaking views at every turn, whether sheer rock cliffs battered by Atlantic waves, burnt volcanic rocks lit gold by the setting sun, or valleys carved into tiny fields, forming a patchwork of stepped terraces.” (pg. 8)
Monday 30 May 2011
What others said about Madeira......
“It is a curious and interesting experience when one begins to dive in among the mists that shroud the dawn of history for Madeira, to find so many legends, myths, and old-time tales clustering round the island gem of the Atlantic.” (pg.22)
Hutcheon, J. E. (1928) “Things seen in Madeira”, Plymouth: William Brendow & Son, Ltd.
Machico Medieval Market
The Machico Medieval Market will take place on the coming days, Friday and Saturday, 3th and 4 th June, after 4 p.m.
Friday 27 May 2011
What others said about Madeira......
“Let me confess at once that I knew nothing whatever about Madeira except that my grandfather always preferred Madeira wine to sherry. Nearly all the Victorians did. So Madeira meant to me more than the place the wine came from, in much the same way that Brazil, to the characters in “Charley`s Aunt”, was the place the nuts came from.” Pg. 10
Mais, S. P. B. (1951) Madeira Holiday, 2nd ed., London
Thursday 26 May 2011
What others said about Madeira.....
“From what has been said in these two lectures, I think it may be concluded that Madeira is an island of enchanting, magnificent scenery, preeminently remarkable for the mildness and uniformity of its climate and the purity of its air; and that it must bear the Palm, in these respects, from the now fashionable health resorts of Europe."
Embleton, Dennis (1882) “A visit to Madeira in the Winter 1880-81”, London: Messrs Hawson, Swanf Morgan
Wednesday 25 May 2011
What others said about Madeira......
“The excellence of the climate of Madeira as a winter residence for pulmonary and other patients has been attested by Dr. Fothergill who wrote so far back as 1775, by Dr. Adams in 1801, by Dr. Gourlay in 1811, by Dr. Pitta in 1812, all from personal observation”. (pg. 63)
Hughes, T.M. (1845) “Island of Madeira – The Ocean Flower”, London
Machico Medieval Fair 2010
The coming Medieval Fair of Machico will take place on the days 3 and 4 June 2011
Madeira - the Pearl of the Atlantic - By Vivien Devlin
"The origin of this lush tropical island, a tiny speck almost stranded in the ocean, is shrouded in mystery and legend - some believe it is part of the lost continent of Atlantis. Known as the “floating garden”, Madeira has a unique natural beauty – blossoming year-round with colourful exotic flowers, dramatic mountain peaks, fertile green valleys, waterfalls and high jagged cliffs dropping down to the seashore."
Link: http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November05/1990Madeira.htm
Link: http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November05/1990Madeira.htm
Tuesday 24 May 2011
What others said about Madeira.....
“Those who have been overtasked in the battle of life, and who feel their strength failing from the operation of the many causes of mental strain in business; those who are getting old and yet, having no disease, require rest, will find, in quiet and repose, that renewed vigour they stand in need of, during a six months` residence in the pure air of Madeira. There are few public amusements it is true, but an invalid will not care for them. Society can be had the hotels, but better health up the hill sides.” (pg. 89)
Embleton, Dennis (1882) “A visit to Madeira in the Winter 1880-81”, London: Messrs Hawson, Swanf Morgan
What others said about Madeira.....
“Where in the fascination of Madeira lies, its essential spirit and potent charm, it is not easy to say, but certain it is that she throws gold-dust into the eyes of all who yield to her spell, and it is through a glamour of enchantment that they behold her No romance of an ancient civilization casts a halo of glory round her past, for but five hundred years of chequered history lie behind her.” (Pg. 40)
Hutcheon, J. E. (1928) “Things seen in Madeira”, Plymouth: William Brendow & Son, Ltd.
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