Bedecked with dramatic cliffs, fertile mountains and sun-gorged beaches, Madeira is a lush, colourful island of plants, paradise and Portuguese-flavoured pleasures. Bathing in year-round sunshine, Funchal - the low key capital of Madeira - is perfect for slowing the pace, and toasting the thrilling scenery with a bottle of the island's famous wine. Narrow, cobblestone streets line the old town, where whitewash buildings, iron-wrought balconies, and tiled patterns carry echoes of Lisbon. Rua de Santa Maria is the city's oldest street, and the doors have been vividly painted by local artists. Sit for a drink, to sample your choice of Madeira's renowned wines - Boal is the ideal option for those with a sweeter tooth.
The ship arrived here before 11 am. Our first tour was straight to a very scenic peninsula at the northern end of the island where our guide unrolled a map and explained about the islands volcanoes. Then we drove to a cafe for a pit stop where Roddy treated us to coffee and an ice cream. Our bus then dropped us so that we could walk down to a marina where there were exposed examples of volcanic activity.
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Next morning we were off early for an excursion to the Laurissilva Forest in a 4 wheel jeep. 7 of us in a vehicle. We drove to a view point to the west of Funchal and then turned north to the centre of the island, where the temperature fell dramatically at the N S divide of the island. Stopped at a cafe here for a pit stop and saw the water conduit system for transferring water from the rain soaked north to the dry south part of the island.
Then downhill down the other side of the island, through vines for a while, before turning off off road for a 10 to 15 minute forest drive.We could stand up during this which was great. Then to a vineyard where we had a short walk through the vines before a tasting; the wines were below average but it was a pleasant experience. We were at the Quinta do Barbusano. It was then a one hour drive back to the port.
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