ABOUT MADEIRA:
Known as the floating garden of the Atlantic, Madeira is set against a stunning backdrop of rugged mountains, which tumble into the ocean. Blanketed with flowers, the island is home to beautiful gardens bursting with orchids and bougainvillea. While carved into her mountains, picture-postcard villages, beautiful churches and breathtaking waterfalls are waiting to be discovered.
This Portuguese island lies in the Atlantic, off the coast of north-west Africa. Both aspects, geological and geographical localisation, contribute to the pleasant and mild climate (mild winter and during summer we do not feel dry heat unbearable). These are some of the factors that are very important to make this island a touristy destiny all over the year.
Considered one of the world’s softest climates (annual media 17,5 °C), as well as warm sea temperature (influenced by the warm current of Golf) is without doubt the perfect place to relax.
ABOUT FUNCHAL:
Funchal gets its name from the fennel plant Funcho that was growing abundantly in the area when the Portuguese explorer, João Gonçalves Zarco, discovered it back in 1420.
Regarded as one of the cleanest cities in Europe, is interwoven between the modern new buildings and 500 years of history. Besides all the cultural events that take place right through the year there is numerous museums, gardens and places of interest that can keep you occupied right through your holidays. Funchal is divided into three main parts.
To those who like walking and appreciate a wonderful landscape, Madeira is a real paradise!
You can better appreciate all this wonderful landscape with direct contact with nature, by following the ways along the 'levadas', watercourses which carry water from springs higher up the mountain sides to irrigate land all over the island. There are very accessible levadas walks, some of the most popular are very easy to find departing from the property.
FLIGHTS:
Only few hours by direct flight from London and other European capitals, the friendly Portuguese-speaking inhabitants have welcomed visitors from all Europe to this almost crime-free island for nearly a century.
All flights will have to be arranged and booked by you.
For better deals, easyjet is now flying daily from Standsead and three times per week from Bristol.
Flights on charter airlines can be booked via the web or any travel agency. For general charter flights we tend to use Air flights or Just the flight web sites.
Charter Flights are available from Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter, Glasgow, Gatwick, Manchester, Luton, Newcastle and other regional airports.
Average Flight time 3 hrs 30 minutes. British Airways fly daily from Gatwick and the Portuguese airline TAP fly Thursdays and Sundays from Heathrow and daily from Gatwick.
