Travel Frankly, Madeira
Portugal is our second most popular spot when it comes to holidaying abroad, but few of us venture beyond the ever popular Algarve. This year, why not look further afield and visit the beautiful island of Madeira?
Where is Madeira?
The Portuguese territory is actually an archipelago of which the two largest islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, are inhabited. The rest are nature reserves. The islands are about 1000 km from the European mainland and about 500 km from Africa – flights from Lisbon tak e about 90 minutes. From the end of March, Portuguese airline TAP will have a twice daily service fr om Dublin to Lisbon, making onward journeys to Funchal in Madeira a doddle.
When to go?
Madeira’s location and mountainous geography create a mild climate, with typical summer temperatures of 25ºC and 17ºC in the winter, with moderate humidity. Porto Santo Island is dry and stable, with little variation from season to season, making it a year-round beach destination.
An island of festivals
Madeirans love festivals and the year is marked by a variety of cultural, sports, leisure and entertainment events. These include: * Carnival (February 27 – March 6)
Just like the more famous Rio carnival, the start of Lent in Madeira is marked by parades all over the island. On the Saturday of Carnival, you have the chance to watch or take part in the famous Allegoric Parade, in which artists march in colourful disguise. * Flower Festival (April/May) Madeira is famed for its flowers (check out those hydrangea hedges) and spring is celebrated, with a sumptuous show, the Flower Festival. In the island capital of Funchal, dozens of floats, covered in flowers, parade down the main avenue perfuming the mild spring air. The city’s streets are covered with floral carpets, making for an unforgettable sight. * Atlantic Festival (June)
Marking the beginning of summer, this festival celebrates the rich ocean waters that surround the islands, with music and fireworks by the sea. * Wine Festival (August/September)
A chance to sample the island’s most famous product, which is a fortified wine that actually comes in dry varieties as well as the sweet dessert wine we are familiar with. Taking part in the grape harvest is a great way to experience a real Madeiran tradition. * Christmas and New Year
December in Madeira is marked by a huge set of festivities. Christmas decorations, street entertainment and fireworks, officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Record as among the world’s biggest!
Where to stay?
With about 1.5 million visitors a year (many of whom are day-trippers from the many cruise ships that stop off at Funchal port), Madeira has a wide variety of accommodation, from the traditional hospitality of rural tourism houses to modern hotels and resorts.
What to eat?
Unsurprisingly, Madeira has excellent seafood, complemented by great fruit and vegetables grown in the island’s rich volcanic soil. Specialities include grilled limpets, tuna steaks and scabbard fish. A typical non-fish dish is beef grilled on a bay tree skewer with fried cornmeal and the local flatbread, bolo do caco. The island’s traditional dessert is bolo de mel (honey cake), washed down with a glass of poncha, a sweetened alcoholic lemonade.
What to bring home?
Madeira wine is the obvious choice, either the dry style which can be served as an aperitif or the more typical sweet digestif. It’s been produced in the hillsides of Madeira’s wine region for more than five centuries. With a similarly long and rich history, Madeiran embroidery reflects centuries of tradition, creating in linen, silk, cotton and organdie.