Madeira

mitchg

Just wondering if anyone has been to Madeira am thinking of going in a couple of weeks for a long weekend? is it worth it? is it expensive when there? much to do? not that i want much to do too much but just a couple of easy days out.
Any advice or tips apprciated

stooby

Hi, i went in May 2007 with the current mrs stooby. I'm 30 and she's 27.
It was a bit of a Saga holiday to be honest but i'd say if you're 45+ you'll like it. Pretty relaxed, easy going time. Lovely restaurants and a big shopping mall right over the far side of Funchal - i'm assuming that's where you're heading. Hotels are (mostly) of a very good standard - I stayed at Pestana Casino Park - billed as a 5* but, for me, only worthy of 4*. The natives were friendly, met some nice people there, i'd certainly recommend it.
Goods/food not too pricey there (although beer a bit on the pricey side) , the tour companies have a few coach trips to go on, plenty of walking to do and a big city centre/old town,I guess the key question is how old are you?

mitchg

Me i am mid 40's but my parents are thinking of tagging along as well as my sister in law and her husband so to be honest i will be the younger of the 6 although to say that i am not looking to party although i do like a nice drink in the evening and when on hols during lunch too.

stooby

You'll be fine then, as long as you weren't looking for dancing 'til 4am it's fine. Lots of bars/cafe's dotted about. A few "British pubs" showing football, serving Carling but not many really - probably not a bad thing.

Party_Animal

We had a week there and that was long enough. The best bit for me was the walking, superb, but not a lot else to do, and certainly more geared towards the older end, though it helps if you're fairly active as some of the hotels are quite a way out.

Lorian

Levada (little irigation streams) walks are very good. Lots of nice gardens/parks but best in the spring.

Maderia wine is great (try visiting Blandys for tasting and tour)

Don't go if you are a nervous driver or passenger!

I liked it.

mitchg

I was only looking as i have a few days i must use up before the end of the month, saw this on easy jet from Bristol and thought maybe as it should be warm or rather warmer there than here. Also noticed the hotels dont seem to be too expensive so a reasonable price long weekend.

annie123

Hi we went 2 years ago,( mid 40's young!) it will be around 16/20 at the moment, so nice and warm,. No party scene,but nice places to eat and sleep, boat trips for dolphin spotting, scuba diving, greta volcano/cave tour,nice gardens etc.
http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/things_to_do.html

The cutest airport, nice cafe at the top when you leave and for smokers a balconey to stand and smoke whilst watching the planes.
dont sit on the right hand side of the plane when arriving if you dont want to feel like you are landing in the sea!

http://madeira-web.com/PagesUK/airport.html

have a fab time

mitchg

Hi Annie that sounds great i too am 40s but young and can party with the best but am not looking for that or it would be Ibiza, But how you explains things that sounds great to me. Will be checking whos coming whos not later and i think i will be booking tomorrow. But anyone else who has tips then still feel free to pass on i am always willing to listen and learn.
Thank you all once again:T

colmil

We were there on a ruise two weeks ago and I was very impressed with Funchal, a very nice place.

We found prices very reasonable, I would think that a week would be long enough, but try it!

getmore4less

Only ever been as a stop on a cruise(also there a couple of weeks ago, Gem)

Nice stop for a bit of winter sun, Funchal has enough for a couple of days, out of town look great but only done that as part of a 1/2 day tour if staying for a long weekend I would look to do something longer perhaps using local bus or hire car head out to some remote place for lunch etc.