MADEIRA for island of many delights
butter and served in their shells. We headed back into Funchal for another cable car ride, this time up to Monte Palace.
It’s not just a palace, the gardens burst with colour and fragrance, with all sorts of flowers and blooms taking root here.
From birds of paradise to the prehistoric cycads, everything seems to know its place. The pathways are decorated with glazed “azulejos” tiles.
With influences from neighbouring Africa, garden designs from Asia, plus colourful flowerbeds that resemble tiles, the gardens are simply heavenly.
Descending from Monte is a ride in itself. In a nod to the island’s wicker trade, racing down streets in a toboggan – essentially a giant basket pushed by two boater hat-clad drivers – is wicked fun.
Once we had caught our breath, and let those adrenal glands stop racing, it seemed like the perfect time to enjoy to the
TUI has launched its summer 2021 European river cruise programme with more varied durations and new ports of call.
Besides the traditional week, voyages range from three, four and five nights to nine and 14. Six new visits include Osijek, the fourth largest city in Croatia; Vidin in a Bulgarian wine region; and Giurgiu, the gateway to Romania’s capital Bucharest.
The launch is backed by a quiet solace of our sea-view balcony and the Thalasso spa.
With a number of al fresco restaurants like Chalet Vicente serving up traditional dishes such as roasted piri piri chicken, guests needn’t go far to enjoy a taste of Madeiran life.
Next morning we were up early to meet up with Madeira Experience tours for a guided walk through the levadas – intricate manmade waterways that trickle their way along the walking trails and waterfalls.
From here, walkers and cyclists can take in stupendous views over the island’s lush forests and enjoy the quiet serenity with just the sweet song of the small firecrest birds to interrupt the peace.
Walks take visitors through ancient woodlands £200 off bookings offer on all sailings of seven nights and more from March 29 to October 31, 2021.
Travellers can bag the saving on packages and cabin-only bookings – enter the code LAUNCH200 on the website or at your that are fragrant with the bay laurel used in many a kitchen in Madeira. 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 here.
We later headed to the bay of Seixal, past unusual rock formations that look like small windows, to the island’s small black-sand beach for a dip in the natural pools. What you see above is just a small nod to what lies below as the shifting lava has formed intricate channels which explorers can descend through at the São Vicente caves.
Our 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. high street travel agent branch.
TUI’s first foray into European river cruising launches on March 29 as its three ships make their debuts.
Head to tui.co.uk/ river-cruises for more.
SET right on Westminster Bridge, the Park Plaza boasts stunning views of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the Thames.
You can’t miss the impressive circular building, and the wow factor hits you as soon as you step on to the escalators to the reception area.
The attractions of the South
Bank, including the
London
Eye and
SEA LIFE
Centre, are minutes away, while
Covent Garden and the shops of the
West End are a short walk – or you can hop on the Tube at
Waterloo or
Westminster.
Our slick and sleek studio room had a lounge area with white leather sofa and TV, comfy king-sized bed, a second TV, bath and walk-in shower – plus luxurious Elemis products and fluffy robes and slippers in the bathroom.
Brasserie Joel serves French classics such as boeuf bourguignon and roasted mallard, or dine on Japanese cuisine in the Ichi Sushi & Sashimi Bar. There’s also a spacious bar area with regular live music, plus a coffee shop. We loved room service breakfast – available to all guests at no extra cost.
The fitness centre and Mandara Spa really are the jewels in this impressive hotel’s crown.
After a busy day shopping we enjoyed a lovely swim in the 15-metre pool, then hit the sauna and steam room.
There’s also a gym and a wide list of spa treatments available to guests.