You will know by now that we LOVE a cable car ride and Madeira is positively bursting with them. From the huge slick operation in Funchal to some decidedly hair raising little ones originally just for farm transport. One of the latter types is the notoriously steep Achadas da Cruz cable car which transports local farmersContinue reading “Steep ride down”
Category Archives: portugal
Floral heaven
Madeira is known as a floral heaven due to its unique mild climate and you can’t move for a riotous bounty of colour and fragrance. The national flower of Madeira is the exotic and gorgeous ‘Bird of Paradise’, also called the Crane Flower and Strelitzia. The island is strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream andContinue reading “Floral heaven”
Angel waterfall
Next up on our Madeiran trip is an unusual tourist attraction. A waterfall that flows directly onto the road and you can drive through it!! So we’ve piled into the car and heading through yet more stunning scenery on route to finding this wacky sight seeing stop! The Cascata dos Anjos (Angels Waterfall) is oneContinue reading “Angel waterfall”
Porto Moniz
Madeira is not naturally blessed with beaches so the locals, and visitors alike, use natural swimming pools instead. There are several dotted around the island so we’re off to experience some natural sea bathing. One of the most popular are the pools at Porto Moniz, formed by volcanic lava and naturally filled with crystal-clear seaContinue reading “Porto Moniz”
Don’t look down!
Today’s trip is not for those for have a fear of heights. We’re heading to the highest sea cliffs in Europe! The Cabo Girão Skywalk is the highest cliff skywalk in Europe, located on top of the cabo Girão Cliff in Madeira and the glass walkway opened in 2012. We’re perched 580 meters above seaContinue reading “Don’t look down!”
Disney houses
Finally we’re off to see one of my bucket list! The traditional Madeiran A frame houses!! Known as palheiro these are highly distinctive, and incredibly cute! Once far greater in number, the majority of these can now only be found in the village of Santana. An A-frame house features steeply-angled sides that usually begin atContinue reading “Disney houses”
Pico Do Areeiro
We’re heading up the mountain to Pico do Areeiro. Pico do Areeiro, at 1,818 m high, is Madeira’s third highest peak. Enroute we stop off to admire the incredible views. Cloud formations over the mountain range make Madeira look more South American than European. We reach Pico do Areeiro and the husband takes a walkContinue reading “Pico Do Areeiro”
More cable car!
We’re heading back down from the botanical gardens into Funchal for some birthday celebrations. With a brief stop off in the pretty hamlet of Monte at the cable car summit. Then it’s back into a pod and heading back down into bustling Funchal. You get a fantastic vantage point for nebbing into people’s back yards!!Continue reading “More cable car!”
Madeira
We visited the Portuguese garden island of Madeira back in July. Whether you’re in a city, cruising the mountains or in a rural backwater it’s a floral paradise everywhere you look! We’re based in Funchal the capital of the island. A mix of bustling city, rocky shoreline, old traditions and a chair lift that swaysContinue reading “Madeira”
Final glimpses
Finally to the relief of everyone (and my aunt in particular!) this is the final batch of pictures from our Portuguese adventure. Above is a cute water wheel from Azenhas do Mar that I forgot to post earlier and below are a few kitsch souvenirs for sale near Boca do Inferno. We nipped back to theContinue reading “Final glimpses”