5 EXPERIENCES YOU CANNOT MISS...
1
Walk one of the many levada trails...
2
Take the cable car up to Monte...
3
Swim in the lava pools at Porto Moniz...
4
Order a Pastel de Nata to go with a Chinesa...
5
The Funchal fish, fruit and vegetable market...
You have to experience the wondrous landscapes of the island and the
easiest and best way to do this is to put on your walking boots. The most
famous is the trail that connects Pico do Arieiro, 1817m to Pico Ruivo,
the highest summit in Madeira, 1862m. It is simply amazing; the views
are stunning and will take your breath away. My personal favourite
is Levada Ribeira de Janela situated above Porto Moniz. Watching the
sunrise at Encumeada is also an unforgettable experience.
I would recommend doing a return trip after exploring the Monte Palace
gardens rather than taking the toboggans down - they are expensive and
not as exhilarating as one is led to believe. My other favourite gardens
are in the centre of Funchal at Santa Catarina Park. These are just over
the road from the Teatro Balthazar, the local theatre which emulates La
Scala on a smaller scale. Sit in the sun at the Cafe Teatro and watch the
world stroll by; life is good.
A great way to spend the afternoon after walking the levada! These
pools are situated at the north west tip of the island and the seas that
pound the shores are quite majestic. I would pack a picnic though as the
local eateries can be overpriced and substandard. Better places can be
found a little further along at Ponta do Pargo, where one of the island’s
lighthouses is situated.
Forget about tea at Reid’s...pop into any one of the thousands of little
cafe’s that populate the island and order a Pastel de Nata (Custard Tart)
to go with a Chinesa (large coffee with hot frothy milk). My favourite
place for this is at the Quinta Pedagogia - a little tea house in a village
called Prazeres in the gardens of the rectory of the local church. It has a
quirky little zoo attached to it where one can grab a bag of corn for 50c
and feed the animals. My personal favourites are the llamas!
Go on a Friday (and in the early morning) as that is when all the local
farmers take in their produce and the spectacle of colour and smells is
breathtaking. Tucked away downstairs there is a great bakery where
the locals enjoy their daily grind. Not to mention the fantastic spice stall
upstairs! From there stroll into the cobbled streets of the Old Town
specifically Rua Santa Maria. I try never to miss seeing the fantastic
painted doorways whenever I visit this part of Funchal.