In the pearl of the Atlantic

maio 11, 2017

In the pearl of the Atlantic

We had the chance, for the first time, to have a trip that took us to the Madeira Island. Only with 4 days at our disposal we had not much time to do everything we wanted, even so it was very interesting.

Levada das 25 fontes

The 25 Fontes (25 fountains) levada is one of the most popular in Madeira Island. Its name lives up to the number of fountains or little waterfalls that’s possible to count once you arrive there.

Stating in Rabaçal and going to the 25 Fontes, the path reveals many landscapes and wonderful sensations. Along the way it’s possible to admire a wide variety of endemic species of the flora and fauna of the region. Enjoy the contact with nature and absorb everything that it has to offer!

After arriving to the 25 Fontes delight yourself with the landscapes and the environment, like the waterfalls gushing toward a magnificent lagoon. Take a break and open your mind. There are even people that dive into the gelid waters.

After appreciating the 25 Fontes, keep going toward Risco, where you can admire a splendid cascade. Finish the walk with a visit to the Rabaçal’s house, which seems tiny given the grandeur of the surrounding mountains. Take the opportunity to regain strength with a snack or simply to relax.

Rabaçal is a unique and magic place, abundant with cascades, fountains, lagoon and much more! Come and discover!

Source: http://www.walkmeguide.com/en/madeira/trail/26/rabacal-levada-das-25-fontes-e-risco-pr6/

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Porto Moniz

Porto Moniz is a small and pleasant town located at the north-west point of the Island. Known for its natural volcanic pools it is very popular with locals and tourists alike in the summer. Porto Moniz has the safest harbour on the north coast of the island and a heliport designated for tourists and for emergency purposes.

The historic Fort of João Batista was built in 1730 to protect from Pirate raids and has now been restored and transformed into the Madeira Aquarium with more than 70 typical species.

Along the promenade you will find a variety of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and the Living Science Centre; a place for all ages to explore mixture of science and cultural exhibits. Furthermore, if you enjoy camping, nearby is a campsite and on your way out of town don’t forget to visit the Miradouro da Santa (lookout point) for spectacular view of Porto Moniz.

Source: http://www.madeira-live.com/en/porto-moniz.html

Ponta de São Lourenço

Visiting some of the finest cliff scenery on Madeira, this walk explores the long thin peninsula at the eastern end of the island. The paths are good, but undulating - whether you get close to the edges is up to you.

The trail follows S. Lourenço Point, the eastern-most peninsula of Madeira island, named after the caravel sailed by João Gonçalves de Zarco, one of the three discoverers of Madeira island, who on coming near this piece of land shouted to his ship “São Lourenço, that’s enough!”.

This peninsula is volcanic in origin, and is mainly made of basalt, although there are also some limestone sediment formations. At the end of the Point there are two islets: the Cevada, Metade or Desembarcadouro Islet, and the S. Lourenço Point, Farol or Fora Islet. The stone partition marks where the Regional government’s land begins, and is part of the Madeira Natural Park. The peninsula is classified as a partial natural reserve and the Desembarcadouro Islet is a total natural reserve. All the land and sea by the North coast, up to a depth of 50m, is part of the European network of important community sites - Natura 2000.

The semi-arid climate and its exposure to North winds have sculpted the low vegetation and explain the lack of trees, which distinguish this area from the rest of the Island and is a veritable natural heritage. Here you can see the Island’s basal plate at its best and several rare and endemic plants. Of the 138 species of plant identified on the peninsula, 31 are endemic (exclusive) to Madeira island. In terms of fauna there is one of the largest colonies of seagull (Larus cachinnans atlantis) in the region, which nests on the Desembarcadouro islet.

Along the route you can often see several bird species such as the Berthelot’s Pipit (Anthus bertheloti madeirensis), the Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis parva), the Common Canary (Serinus canaria canaria), and the Kestrel (Falco tinunculus). Protected marine birds also nest here such as Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma castro), Bulwer’s Petrel, (Bulweria bulwerii), and the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). The Madeiran lizard (Lacerta dugesii), which is the island’s only reptile, is very common here. Another interesting aspect of this area is the high number of endemic land molluscs (24), commonly known as snails.

In the sea, you may be lucky enough to spot the world’s rarest seal, known in Madeira as a Sea-wolf (Monachus monachus).

At the end of the trail, you can dive in the Sardinha port, named after the old owners.

The Sardinha house is the base for a group of Rangers who work for the Madeira natural park, and who are responsible for watching over the area.

On the horizon to the South you can see Ilhas Desertas (Deserted Islands) and to the North the Porto Santo Islands.

Source: http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/what-to-do/activities/search/pr8-vereda-da-ponta-de-sao-lourenco

Curral das Freiras Nun's Valley (Curral das Freiras)

Curral das Freiras ('Nuns Valley') is a small village nestling between almost perpendicular mountains in the heart of the island.

The huge cauldron in which Curral das Freiras is sitting was either formed by erosion, which is the more recent theory, or as many still believe, by volcanic activity.

In 1566 the nuns from the Santa Clara convent fled from pirates attacking Funchal and found seclusion here where they also brought the convent treasure.

The village is very isolated and locals mainly live of what they grow. The local chestnuts are delicious and are used in everyday cooking.

Curral das Freiras was the property of a couple that sold this land to the captain of Funchal, João Gonçalves da Câmara. This captain gave the lands to his daughters when they entered into the Santa Clara convent (also built by him).

Today’s ‘Nuns Valley’ has a great annual celebration. Every year locals celebrate the ‘Chestnut Festival’ – this festival originated when the local parish had a surplus of chestnuts. They were then used in several culinary delights from soup to cakes and from pudding to liqueur. Today the festival is a big attraction with plenty of food, music, dancing and of course wine.

Source: http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/curral-freiras.html

Cabo Girão

It is the highest cape in Europe, at an elevation of 580 m, and is famous for its suspended glass platform.

The Cabo Girão viewpoint, situated on the highest promontory in Europe, at an elevation of 580 m, offers a vertiginous view of the fajãs of Rancho and Cabo Girão – small areas of cultivated land at the foot of the cliff – as well as magnificent panoramic views over the ocean and the municipalities of Câmara de Lobos and Funchal.

The viewpoint has been renovated, and a suspended glass platform, called a skywalk, was built.

It is an excellent spot to practice paragliding and base jumping. Recently, the Portuguese parachutist Mário Pardo performed a spectacular motorcycle leap here.

Nearby is the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Fátima (Our Lady of Fátima), built in 1951 and one of the main pilgrimage sites of the island.

Source: http://www.visitportosanto.pt/en-gb/resultados-de-pesquisa-1/cabo-girao-viewpoint

Porto da Cruz

Porto da Cruz is one of the parishes belonging to the Machico council. Its name came from a cross (cruz) that was placed by the explorers on the bay once used as port (porto).

Once you arrive you'll probably think there's nothing much to do around here. Life seems to have stopped or only to be moving very slowly in this place. But, the attractions of this small parish are hidden and you'll have to take a closer look to find them. One of them is the old sugar cane factory, which is still operating the same way, as it was when it started with the sugar production in 1927. It boasts a 26 meter tall tower and when it's working you might even see steam coming out!

Also not to be missed is the place known as Penha d'Águia, an imposing rock that separates Porto da Cruz from Faial. Getting up there might be a challenge, as the road is very steep, but the songs of the birds will help you on the way up and once you get there you'll be sure it was definitely worth it. The views from Penha d'Águia are absolutely amazing!

Porto da Cruz is also famous for its wine. Known as 'vinho seco americano' (dry red wine made of a type of grape called americana), this local product is the theme for a celebration usually happening in September (Festa do Vinho).

Source: http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/porto-cruz.html

Santana

Characterised by its small thatched triangular houses, Santana is a beautiful village on the north coast. These small houses built of natural stone and thatched with straw have served the locals for centuries as stables and dwellings.

This region lives essentially from agriculture, craftwork and tradition. The mountainous landscapes are dominated by the lush green that characterises the Laurissilva Forest, which was classified ‘World Heritage’ by the UNESCO, encouraging the locals even more to do everything for maintaining their beauty.

With so many attractions to see, it is normal that most tourists have a circle on their maps around Santana as an obligatory place to visit. And yet, with Madeira’s Theme Park another attraction was added to this region’s already wide offer! Opened in October 2004, the Madeira Theme Park, which can be visited all year round, is divided in several nucleuses and includes many attractions for young and old – tourists as well as locals – related to history, traditions and culture of the people of Madeira.

Every year in July a large festival of traditional music and dances is held in the village and attracts large crowds of locals and tourists alike. The event known as ’24 horas a bailar’ (literally ‘24 hours dancing’) is made of performances of traditional folklore groups from Madeira and other regions or countries which are invited to participate.

Only a short distance from Santana you will find Queimadas, the starting point for one of Madeira's most spectacular ‘levada’ walks towards 'Caldeirão Verde' (the Green Cauldron).

Source: http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/santana.html

Levada do Caldeirão verde

Beginning in the Queimadas Forestry Park, this walk is ‘out-and-back’, and crosses some spectacularly steep slopes, but is one of the finest ways of penetrating the deep valley of the São Jorge brook on foot; you’ll need a torch on this walk, which passes through a tunnel.

This trail begins at the Queimadas Forestry Park and winds along the walkway of the levada of Caldeirão Verde at 980 m elevation, in the municipality of Santana.

The levada of Caldeirão Verde is an impressive work of art built in the 18th century that begins in the main stream bed of the Caldeirão Verde brook. Passing through steep cliffs and mountains, it carries the water that runs off the highest mountains of Madeira, to be used to irrigate the farm lands of the parish of Faial.

This levada is used for agricultural purposes, but it is also an important means of reaching the interior of the deep valley of the São Jorge brook on foot, offering the traveler a vertiginous and spectacular view of the mountainous terrain of the interior of the island and the opportunity to walk through tunnels carved by hand out of the rock.

At the Queimadas Forestry Park there is a shelter (Casa de Abrigo das Queimadas), which retains the original features of the typical houses of Santana, including a marvelous thatched roof.

Worthy of mention are the excellent specimens of elegant Japanese cedars (Cryptomeria japonica), European beech (Fagus sylvatica) with their dense reddish foliage, Canary Island junipers (Juniperus cedrus), Madeira laurel (Ocotea foetens), Pau branco or southern olive (Picconia excelsa), hundred-year-old broom heath (Erica scoparia) as well as some specimens of lily-of-the-valley tree (Clethra arborea), and Madeira blueberry (Vaccinium padifolium), which can be seen along the trail.

Species of indigenous avifauna that can be seen include the chaffinch (Frigila coelebs), the firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus madeirensis), the Madeira long-toed pigeon (Columba trocaz trocaz), grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea schmitzi), and the buzzard (Buteo buteo harteti).

Close to the Queimadas Park one can see off to the side a small settlement called Achada do Marques, a site that has been designated as Protected landscape, noted for its traditional farm terraces and old stone cow huts.

After you pass through the 4 tunnels on the route, Caldeirão Verde appears on the left of the levada and one has only to climb a few metres along the stream bed to reach it.

The Caldeirão Verde lake is formed by water that falls from the bed of the Caldeirão Verde stream bed from a height of approximately 100m.

Indulge yourself and revel in the surrounding scenery and catch your breath for the return trip.

Source: http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/explore/detalhe/pr9-levada-do-caldeirao-verde?goToLocation=1

Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada is a small village on the northern coast of Madeira Island, located in the district of São Vicente with beautiful scenery of the mountains and sea.  

Overlooking the cliff you may admire a charming village, the local church by the sea and its new pool complex. Here you may also find a house museum belonging to the famous teacher, writer and journalist Horácio Bento de Gouveia with a display of his published works and antiques.

This rural village is also able to produce many of the freshest agricultural products and also traditional handicrafts, embroidery and wickerwork.

Ponta Delgada is proud of its mother church; the Imaculado Coração de Maria built in the 15th century, famous for its big Religious festival of Senhor Bom Jesus which takes place in the first weekend of September, bringing thousands of visitors and pilgrims from all parts of the island.

Source: http://www.madeira-live.com/en/ponta-delgada.html

São Vicente

São Vicente is a municipality along the north-west coast of the island of Madeira.

The first human visitors to São Vicente appeared in the middle of the 15th century, colonizing the area much later than the settlers in the southern part of the island, owing to its fertility. This area of the island, due to its steep escarpments and deep river-valleys made early settlement difficult. The first settlers appeared in the areas of São Vicente and Ponta Delgada, respectively.

The progressive growth of its population lead to dis-annexation of São Vicente from the Captaincy of Machico, and elevation to municipal seat by royal charter on 23 August 1774. At that time the parishes of Porto Moniz, Seixal, Arco de São Jorge and São Jorge where under the administration of the municipal authority.

In 1835, the restructuring of municipal government under the Liberal reformer Mouzinho da Silveira lead to the creation of two new municipalities (Santana and Porto Moniz) along the northern coast of Madeira, which reduced the area of São Vicente. But, by 1867, under decree it reverted to its former dimensions. In 1898, with the re-establishment of the former municipalities São Vicente began to function within the current territorial area.

A legend exists that the toponomic name of the region, developed from an incident where Saint Vincent of Saragossa appeared in a rocky cove near the mouth of the river. Consequently, the settlers constructed a small chapel to the saint, owing to the great devotion to his personage.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Vicente,_Madeira

Seixal

Beyond beautiful, Seixal offers a wide variety of attractions. The beaches are a great reason to visit.

The Natural Pools of Seixal or the Naval Club Beach of Seixal are a great choice for those who want a more relaxed day out at the beach. The Laje beach, also known as Jamaica, with its black sand and pebbles, is ideal for going fishing or diving.

Visit Chão da Ribeira, located in a large overhanging Seixal valley where you can enjoy the Laurel forest, classed as a World Natural Heritage Site, watch the trout in their natural habitat, and enjoy a traditional meal.

Make your way through this parish to be delighted with the landscape, try some of the walking routes, or perhaps a more extreme activity such as canyoning.

The church is located right in the centre of the parish, Santo Antão is the patron saint of the parish of Seixal. In January this temple hosts a feast in honour of their patron, although the most popular celebration in this parish happens during the summer, in August.

On the Seixal path, do not miss the "Bride's Veil" viewpoint.

Source: http://www.helloguidemadeira.com/en/madeira/locations/porto-moniz/seixal

Pico do Arieiro

The Pico do Arieiro is with its altitude of 1818 meters the third highest peak on the island. Fortunately it can be reached by car. Views are spectacular up here and when there is very good weather, it is even possible to see Porto Santo, the neighbouring island, which is situated 30 nautical miles to the north.

An excellently built path leads to Pico Ruivo, the highest peak, however do reckon with a two to three hour walk.

All the major peaks are accessible from Pico do Arieiro and during the winter snowfalls locals arrive here in their hundreds to delight in the white snow and drive back to Funchal with a snowman on the car bonnet.

Source: http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/pico-arieiro.html

Monte Palace Tropical Garden

The Monte Palace Tropical Garden occupies an area of 70.000 square meters and houses an huge exotic plant’s collection, coming from all over the world, together with swans and duck’s, that populates the central lake, peacocks and chickens, that walk free in the main areas of the property. In the central lake, the visitor may also admire the beauty and majesty of the swans. They prefer the relatively shallow cool water of lakes and ponds as their natural habitat. Despite of being actually admired in gardens all over the world, the black swans originate from Australia, Tasmania and New Zeeland and the wild white swans have their origin in Iceland and Scandinavia.

The Monte Palace Museum is an ideal exhibition space nestled within the beautiful surroundings of a tropical garden. There are three floors, two of which are dedicated to sculptures and the third houses a unique mineral collection gathered from the four corners of the world.

The exposition entitled 'African Passion' shows part of a collection of contemporary Zimbabwean sculpture from the period 1966 to 1969. More than a 1000 sculptures are distributed on two floors of the museum. The top floor concentrates on individual creations, allowing the viewer time to observe the characteristics and workmanship of each artist. The second floor captures the environment in which these talented men and women work in order to create and display their sculptures to the world.

'Mother Nature's Secrets', on the lower floor, proudly exhibits one of the finest private collections of minerals, predominately from Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, Zambia, Peru, Argentina and North America. From more than a 1000 specimens, around 700 have been specially chosen for display. Some specimens are displayed in hollows designed to imitate the environment in which the minerals form in the depths of our planet, whilst others are “suspended in air” to give the sensation of a planetary space where rocky masses gravitate freely. Also for your enjoyment is an exhibition of more than 300 semiprecious and precious gems, with a particular focus on diamonds, both rough and cut.

One of the most interesting characteristics of the Monte Palace Tropical Garden is the existence of a large collection of tile panels placed along the walkways and amongst the vegetation acquired by José Berardo, under the specialist direction of Manuel Leitão. This collection, considered to be one of the most important in the country after that of the National Tile Museum, is made up of Hispano-Moorish tiles of the 15th and 16th centuries and panels produced in Portugal from the 19th to the 20th centuries.

Source: http://montepalace.com/desktop/?lang=en

Funchal

Funchal is the capital and main city of the autonomous region of Madeira, on the island of Madeira, situated in the south between Santa Cruz and Camara de Lobos cities.

The city's name comes from the abundance of fennel (funcho) found on the island. It was an important shipping center during the 15th-17th centuries. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal.

Funchal Airport (IATA: FNC) is in nearby Santa Cruz, sometimes known as Madeira international/Santa Catarina/Funchal. Once famous for its hair-raisingly short runway ending at a cliff over the Atlantic Ocean, the airport has been expanded to handle all sizes of aircraft. There are several daily flights from most major cities in Portugal (Lisbon, Porto). Flight time from Lisbon is 1 1/2 hours. Also, there are good connections from London (mostly Gatwick)(LGW), with TAP/ Air Portugal(TP) and British Airways(BA); its flying time is estimated at 3 1/2 hours.

Funchal is served by highway ER101 which runs along the coast. An easy way to get to the city centre by car is to take exit 11 and head downhill towards Funchal. Continue on this road (ER103) until you pass under an overpass. Immediately on your right is a large parking garage (closed on sundays). From here it is only a few minutes walk to Mercado Dos Lavradores / Sé Cathedral.

From and to the airport you can take the Aerobus, which runs about 10-14 times a day and stops at all major hotels. Tickets can be purchased at the driver (pay by cash), one-way ticket will cost 5 euro (return 8 euro). It takes about 30 minutes to get the center of Funchal.