The Garden Island of Madeira with Jamie, Oli & Ase

 The Garden Island of Madeira 

The moment we stepped off the plane, the warmth and beauty of the place were impossible to ignore and we couldn't wait to explore.

We took the bus to Funchal to explore its famous Mercado dos Lavradores. Friday is the best day to visit Funchal’s famous fish and flower markets where local farmers and fishermen bring their produce to sell from all over the island. It was fascinating to see the colourful stalls full of fruit, veg, seafood and so much more. We all had a good browse around, some of us lucky (and brave!) enough to sample some of the local delicacies.

The hotel pool was the perfect way to cool off from the warm sun. For the sun worshippers amongst us were more than happy topping up their tans on the loungers. 

We braved the heights and hopped onto the Madeira Cable Car, taking us 2 miles up the mountainside, soaring over the city towards Monte. The views were jaw-dropping. We watched with our jaws wide open as the crazy Carreiro’s do Monte flew down the hill in their wicker basket sleds, you really had to see it to believe it!

At the top we explored the beautiful Monte Palace and the famous Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monto Catholic church, with its spectacular views across Funchal.

It was down to the seafront to enjoy the beautiful views and the salty breeze. Our first stop was the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, where we learned about the legendary footballer’s rise to stardom. It was fascinating to see the trophies and memorabilia celebrating his success, especially as he’s a true Madeiran hero! 

Known for its beauty we made our way up to the stunning Quinta Splendidna Botanical Gardens, a lush oasis of tropical plants, cacti, and vibrant flowers. The scenery was so breathtaking, we couldn’t stop taking photos! After a good explore we walked up to the nearby town square to view the church and marketplace. A local bakery provided the perfect lunch stop where we all took the opportunity to try a traditional Portuguese sweet pasty called Pastel Nata.  They were sensational! 

Our evening's were always full of fun and laughter. The live Portuguese music kept us dancing until the early hours. We sure know how to party!