Madeira

xbrenx

Hi

Hubby and I would really like a sunshine holiday in October but I don't necessarily want a beach holiday. (Hence October, not as hot as earlier in the year.)
We are relatively active (he more than me) and would like to walk in the hills. Lanzarote last year wasn't very picturesque and I'm wondering if Madeira would be more so. Maps make it look quite green and hilly but are the hills accessible on foot?
Has anyone any experience of Madeira, good or bad?

Many thanks

Lorian

google "maderia levadas"


Great place for walking.

DUKE

I went to Madeira in December 2012 & stayed at Calheta Beach Hotel, Calheta, it was a wonderful holiday with plenty to do. There was a small harbour, a few shops, up the hill to the Sugar Cane Factory where you can sample the rum & Madeira cake. If you're feeling particularly energetic keep going & there's an Art Gallery at the top with a great view. Plenty of walks roundabout too. Funchal was 20 minutes away by mini bus, or you can do the 2 hour trip on the bus, views are amazing, hold tight though!

sandsy

Stayed at The Residence (which shares facilities with Porto Mare hotel and the Eden Mar suites, all owned by the same company) a couple of years back.

Enjoyed it very much. Good breakfasts included and some great restaurants around for dinner. Plenty to do in Madeira for those who want to be active - we didn't apart from going up the cable car in Funchal. Hotel ran a free shuttle to Funchal a few times a day.

Andypandyboy

We stopped off there on a cruise a couple of weeks ago and it was really lovely. I think you could easily spend a week or two there. One side of the Island is colder than the other though. We did the Tobaggan run which is great and suitable for all ages.

It is quite hilly though. Funchal old town was lovely.

We took a tour with Daniel's taxis. He was great and very responsive to emails. He loved his island and was really informative. If there is anything specific you want to know if you email and enquire about a tour I am sure he would be able to help. He was a very nice chap. He mentioned a walking group which meets each week and to which tourists are welcome.

As I said, we were on a cruise stop, but I believe that flying into Funchal is a bit scary as the runway stops just short of the cliff face!!

We will definitely go back.

xbrenx

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think you've sold it to us

daveyjp

Plenty of walking on Madeira, either Levadas, or mountain trekking.

A really pleasant island, friendly locals, plenty of accommodation for all budgets and good value food and drink.

Airport is in top ten for 'interesting' approaches and the take off is 'different'. Plenty of videos on youtube!

FBaby

Madeira is gorgeous and I would pick it one hundred times over Lanzarote. How long are you going for though? My experience is that a week is long enough to make the best of it and I would start getting a bit bored after that.

cubegame

As other posters have said, it is a fantastic destination for walking. There are miles and miles of level walks in the mountains.

A great place to start is the Sunflower books guide (this is a series of books which was started by people inspired to walk on Madeira).

http://sunflowerbooks.co.uk/product/walking-in-madeira/

The book gives plenty of options on how to enjoy the walks with public transport from Funchal (I personally wouldn't stay anywhere but Funchal). I would, however, recommend a car. The roads are generally quiet and the standard of driving is better than the UK.

pelirocco

We visited one September it rained constantly , we didn't like the island , but loads of people seem to love it

xbrenx

FBaby wrote: »

How long are you going for though? My experience is that a week is long enough to make the best of it and I would start getting a bit bored after that.

We're going for 7 nights, so should be okay, thanks

cubegame wrote: »

A great place to start is the Sunflower books guide (this is a series of books which was started by people inspired to walk on Madeira).

http://sunflowerbooks.co.uk/product/walking-in-madeira/

The book gives plenty of options on how to enjoy the walks with public transport from Funchal (I personally wouldn't stay anywhere but Funchal). I would, however, recommend a car. The roads are generally quiet and the standard of driving is better than the UK.

I'll check this out, thank you