An Introduction to Holidays in Madeira
Many people have heard of Madeira, but few actually know it's location. The Portuguese island is over 600 miles (960 km) southwest of the country's capital; off the western shore of Morocco. Madeira is just a speck in the vast Atlantic when viewed from the sky or from space. Madeira & it's sister island Porto Santo are very different when viewed from underwater; they are the summits of great underwater mountains. Luckily enough for us, these summits emerge far enough from the water to make excellent destinations for holidays, with beautiful craggy scenery and wonderfully cultured towns.
Magical Holidays in Madeira
Madeira specialises in luxury accommodation with some of the world's best hotels here, that are perfect for relaxing in whilst taking in the breathtaking scenery around you during your holidays. There is also an array of cheap, affordable accommodation for those that want to enjoy a holiday of luxury on a budget. Rearing up out of the warm blue Gulf, Madeira is in one of the deepest parts of the Atlantic. It features one of the highest ocean cliffs on the planet which reaches 1,933ft (589m) above the sea, which presented a scary monument to the ancient Portuguese sailors when they first discovered the islands in the 1400s. In fact Porto Santo and Madeira were the first 'new worlds' that were colonised by Henry the Navigator in his quest to explore the world.
Getting to Madeira
Holidays in Madeira start at Funchal International Airport which services the island; receiving direct medium-haul flights from most major UK airports every day. The single leg of 1500 miles (2400 km) takes the average jumbo jet around 4 hours. A variety of low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and charter airlines like TAP have regular flights to Madeira.
The 'Floating Garden'
Madeira is small, being just 13 miles wide and 35 miles long. The island has no beaches, but it does have an Eden-like natural beauty with the rich volcanic soil having turned it into a botanical wonderland and agricultural treasure house. Most of the indigenous thick forests were destroyed in a colossal fire created by the first Portuguese colonialists to clear it for farming. Today however, the fragrant island blooms with colourful masses of orchids, bougainvillea, frangipani, wisteria and geraniums. Fruit and herbs grow in abundant profusion on the hillsides and in ravines, and the mountain slopes are terraced with orchards and vineyards. The island has been termed a 'floating garden'.
