Try a slice of Madeira
bloom seems to know its place. A tribute to the palace’s masterful botanists. With a variety of influences from neighbouring Africa and garden designs from Asia, as well as colourful flowerbeds that resemble tiles, the gardens are quite simply heavenly. Now, what goes up must come down and to experience the full Monte there is only one way to descend... in a basket. In a nod to the island’s wicker trade, two men in boater hats push you down a hillside road in a toboggan-like run of 1.24 miles at speeds up to 30mph. Quite a thrill! Back at the hotel we take things easy, first on our sea view balcony and then at the Thalasso spa. With a number of al fresco restaurants like Chalet Vicente serving piri piri chicken and other traditional
Prepare for maximum fun at Butlin’s this year with an exciting new dance and acrobatics show.
Electric Circus will see performers in LED costumes light up the stage in Bognor Regis, Skegness and Minehead.
Catch the shows during Easter, May half-term, October half-term breaks, Christmas Fantasy weekends, Christmas and New Year breaks. butlins.com dishes, guests needn’t go far to enjoy a taste of Madeiran life.
Next morning we’re up early to meet up with Madeira Experience tours for a guided walk through the levadas – a series of intricate man-made waterways that trickle along the walking trails and into waterfalls.
SILENCE
Walkers and cyclists can take in stupendous views over the island’s lush forests. A blissful silence is only interrupted by the sweet song of the small
Lift to Monte firecrest birds. The walks take you through woodland fragrant with bay laurel, used in many a kitchen on the island.
Even its sprigs are used to flavour the traditional espetada beef skewers.
There’s a special bond between the locals and these woods which give the island its clean tropical air – the very thing that first drew tourists blighted with bronchial afflictions to the region.
We headed down to the bay of Seixal – past unusual rock formations that look like small windows – to the island’s small black sand beach and a bracing dip in the natural pools.
The shifting lava has formed intricate channels which explorers can descend through at the São Vicente caves. The day ended with a yoga class at the base of the Laurissilva Forest as the sun hit the peaks.
We felt totally at one with nature. Just like Madeira itself.
Vidamar Hotel
From June you’ll be able to fly to the 18 beautiful Faroe islands, tucked between Iceland and Norway. Atlantic Airways will have flights from Gatwick. The mystical islands are home to rocky cliffs, puffins and more sheep than people (80,000 v 51,949). This year also sees the opening of the four-star Hotel Brandan in the capital Torshavn as well as the Hilton Garden Inn in July. visitfaroeislands.com