Archive for February, 2007
Madeira archipelago has two international airports, one in Funchal (the capital city of Madeira) and the other one in the island of Porto Santo. Funchal`s airport has flights from and to most European capitals. The duration of the trip from London is 3.10 hours and from Lisbon is 1.20 hours.
You can get to Porto Santo by boat (Lobo Marinho), a lmodern boat that travels everyday between Madeira and Porto Santo. Travelling by car in Madeira has been made easy due to a huge investment made in transport networks. There are modern roads allowing you to visit all island, including the old days most inaccessible small villages hidden is the mountains.
February 25th, 2007
Clear warm waters in an opened cleaned sandy beach, Porto Santo beach is very beautiful and relaxing. You can get to Porto Santo from Funchal via boat (the “Lobo Marinho” is a modern and huge ship that does this travel 24 to 7). It will take you two hours to get to Porto Santo by boat. You can also get to Porto Santo by a local plane which does this service, taking you twenty minutes to get there.
February 25th, 2007
You can start you evening in Funchal`s casino with a very nice meal at the restaurant, followed by tempting your luck in the roulette, blackjack and slot machines. But, If you fell like dancing the casino disco is quite nice. The dress code does not allow sport clothes.
February 25th, 2007
All year round there are popular parties outdoors in several villages in Madeira. There you can eat hot bread with “Chourico”, drink home made wine, eat the traditional “Petiscos”, including the traditional bacalhau (salted dried cod fish). These parties are traditional and offer you a relaxed, typical enjoyable time.
February 25th, 2007
Madeira dance is danced by men, women and children dressed in the regional colorful costume, characteristic boots and hats. The dance reflects the culture of the island, many historical influences and the movements reflect many tasks such as crushing grapes, currying baskets of bananas and plenty more.
February 25th, 2007
Fado is the original and most typical Portuguese music. Its origins are sad, as many of these songs were sung by the sailor’s wife, when they were leaving looking for the new world. They tell about “Saudade” (to miss someone), a word only found in Portuguese vocabulary as a noun, lost loves, dark destinies and tragic events. But don’t worry, there are also plenty of Fado music which is cheerful and you will definitely enjoy your evening. You can hear Fado in several places in the Old Town, combined with a typical tasty dinner.
February 25th, 2007
Connections between Britain and Madeira have been strong and positive over time. During the Napoleonic war, British forces together with local Portuguese forces helped reenforce the island against a possible attack by Napolean. One of the soldiers was John Blandy who settled in Madeira. The Blandy family has been settled in the island for two centuries. The family still manages their own original Madeira wine company.
British people have predominated amongst the island’s visitors since old times. Other visitors from all over Europe and America have discovered this splendid island and are becoming regular visitors.
In Madeira you will feel welcomed. Portuguese people are warm and welcoming people.
February 25th, 2007
The Festival is hold usually in the Cathedral of Funchal and in the beautiful “Teatro Municipal” in the end of May. Students from the local “Conservatoire” perform several musics alongside with invited musician from all over the world.
February 25th, 2007
This Festival happens in the weekend at the end of April. It brings to Funchal an enourmous variety of flowers, colours and wonderful smells. Funchal is becomes a city of flowers. Everything in the city shows flowers including streets covered with carpets and pictures made of flowers, shop windows, churches and houses all decorated with flowers. The peak of the festival is the parade of flower-smothered floats through Funchal`s streets.
The island has many visitors for this festival, and finding a hotel is not an easy task during this period.
February 25th, 2007
Carnival is a happy time in Madeira, celebrated in all island. There are 2 parades in Funchal, one on SCarnival is a happy time in Madeira, celebrated in all island. There are 2 parades in Funchal, one on Saturday and the other on the Tuesday during Carnival`s week. The parades present tryly original costumes, clowns, bands, fireworks and dance.
February 25th, 2007
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