A visit to Madeira

Madeira cliffs

Madeira – The Pearl of the Atlantic

While the entire country of Portugal is a very popular tourist destination, there are places within it which are more popular than other. One example of this would be the Algave region in the south or Portugal, and another would be the Madeira Islands, arguably the most beautiful island in the Atlantic.

 

Madeira

A floating garden to some, extreme relaxation to others

The rather small archipelago of the Madeira Islands has been described by many as a ‘floating garden’ or the ‘Pearl of the Atlantic’. The garden part comes in as a reflexion of the centuries of successful cultivation that the islands have seen, thanks to the rich volcanic soil, the abundant rainfall and the mild climate.

Madeira cliffs

Madeira

All of these factors are responsible for a varied landscape which ranges from lush river valleys to terraced hillsides planted with vines and bananas to dense primeval forest, it’s a very interesting place to visit for lovers of the outdoor.

The actual island of Madeira is world famous for its jaw-dropping flora, the levadas, or irrigation channels which crisscross the country, carry the excess water from the rainy northern part of the island to the rest of its surface area. Conversely following the course of the levadas is one of the most enjoyable ways that one can explore the countryside.

The island is also bathed in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and this creates an ideal playground for dolphins and scuba diving in clear waters. There are plenty of chances to go on boat trips around the island as well as engaging in other sea and sand activities such as surfing and swimming. As far as land exploring goes, the volcanic mountain slopes are populated with fragrant eucalyptus woods and this makes walking through them a very relaxing proposition, not to mention the stunning views and scenery.

The coastal resorts cater to all the demands of modern tourism and this as well is projected to increase steadily as more and more people find out about this great holiday destination.

There are several places that you’ll want to see while on your trip there, some of which we’ll mention right now.

The Sao Vicente Caves are actually a series of lava tubes which were left after an eruption that took place about four hundred thousand years ago. These tunnels extend for about a kilometer and they feature various types of lava formations, lava cakes, volcanic stalactites as well as erratic blocks which are a great way of sensing the sheer power of the lava.

Porto Santo is the smaller inhabited island in the Madeira archipelago, and while it is considerably more barren than its larger sister, it does feature an eight kilometer stretch of beach on its southern coast, that comes with golden sands and a temperate climate.

A more unique type of attraction situated in the capital of Funchal is its cable car. Riding the cable car is one of the best diversions of the city and a truly wonderful scenery.

There are of course many more things that you can see and do while on your trip to Madeira, you won’t regret going there for your holiday.

Car Hire Services in Madeira and Algarve

Car Hire Madeira
Find low cost car rental services in Madeira.
Madeira Airport Transfers
Low rates for Funchal Airport Transfers to anywhere in the Madeira, Portugal
Madeira Car Hire Portugal
Low rates and quality services for Algarve car rental services.

Portugal Travel : Madeira Portugal Video




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