Hygge Christmas in Copenhagen
Discover on this trip to Copenhagen the "Hygge" lifestyle that has made Denmark one of the happiest countries in the world
Madeira, the island of the eternal spring
When you think of an island, Madeira is probably not the first name that comes to mind. On this island of volcanic origin, the green vegetation, the steep cliffs, its mountainous profile, the laurel forests, and its immense gardens by the ocean, surprise us in a kind of landscape collage in which nature is the real protagonist.
Although it is believed that the Romans first arrived in Madeira, the island was colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century, considering it an important strategic point in the Atlantic. Until the 17th century, the cultivation of sugar cane was the main economic driving factor of the island, but from then on, it would be wine until the beginning of the arrival of tourism at the end of the 19th century.
Madeira belongs to an Atlantic archipelago located more than 800km from the Portuguese coast.
Madeira's volcanic origin makes the island's orography rocky and with spectacular cliffs. Photo:Valdemaras D.
Madeira is a surprising island that contains many landscapes in one, from the lush forests to the rocky and rugged coastline.
The lush laurel forests, consisting mainly of laurel, willow, beech, and ferns, are a protected area declared a World Heritage Site since 1999.
They are mainly concentrated in the northern area, between 300 and 1,400 meters in altitude, and currently occupy 20% of Madeira.
The laurel forest has existed on the island for 1.8 million years.
Madeira must be discovered and experienced on foot as well as by sea. On the island, there are numerous irrigation canals called levadas that carry water from the northern part of the island to the southern part. There are about 2,200 kilometers of levadas, which form a network of different hiking routes suitable for all levels and from where you can enjoy, for example, the best sunrise from the Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818 meters high.
From the sea, a boat trip to the "Islas Desertas", three rocky islets inhabited by monk seals and seabirds, among other species, is a must. There, a bath in its crystal-clear waters is also a must, and on the way back, it is possible to spot dolphins and whales.
There are more than 2,000 kilometers of "levadas" in Madeira, a system of canals used to transport water from the north to the south of the island. Photo: Joexx.
Madeira is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, with routes for all levels that allow you to discover breathtaking views of its coastline. Photo: Belmond.
A unique experience in Madeira is the descent from the Santuario do Monte to the city of Funchal aboard a wooden basket. Photo: Ilaria.
The "Carreiros do Monte" is a tradition that began in the 18th century to transport goods from the Sanctuary of Monte to the city of Funchal in wooden and wicker baskets. From 1850 onwards, with the introduction of tourism on the island, these carreiros started to transport people as well.
The sanctuary is accessed by funicular and can be descended by a route of about two kilometers through these wicker baskets, where you can reach 40 kilometers per hour on the winding roads.
A hotel with a history
If there is an emblematic hotel with a history on the island, it is Reid's Palace in Funchal. This luxury hotel was commissioned by William Reid, a Scotsman who, at the end of the 19th century, left the cold Scottish cliffs and settled in Madeira, where he created a successful business based on the wine trade. The era of the great ocean liners that carried the British traveling to Africa was dawning and Reid saw an opportunity to build a large hotel where they could spend a few days as a stopover.
Although he did not live to see his hotel completed, his sons welcomed the first guests in 1891. Situated on top of a rocky promontory, with spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and the island, until 1964 (the year Madeira Airport was built) the island was only accessible by sea. Travelers arriving to stay at Reid's Palace were transported in luxurious hammocks from the harbor to the top of the cliff where the hotel is located.
Reid's Palace is located on a rocky promontory with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Over the years, the hotel has hosted some illustrious guests such as the writer George Bernard Shaw or Winston Churchill, who spent long periods of time at Reid's painting and writing his memoirs.
Staying at Reid's Palace transports you back to the golden age of great hotels where every detail counts. With a classic British-style interior design in which white, gray, and blues predominate, Reid's Palace is the ideal starting point to get to know the best of Madeira in style and glamour.
From enjoying a picnic in its huge botanical garden, which features species of trees from Brazil, Australia, China, Korea, and Japan, to savoring a perfect English-style afternoon tea, with breathtaking views of the Atlantic.
And, before dinner, why not a ride in a classic car to Ponta do Sol, one of the best places on the island from which to watch the sunset?
- A picnic in the hotel's botanical garden where you can admire a large number of trees and shrubs from all over the world. Photo: Belmond —
- The Santana house is the traditional house of Madeira. With an inverted V-shape and thatched roof, the upper floor was used to store seeds and cereals and the lower floor was used to store cattle. Photo: Daniela Turcanu —
- The 5 p.m. tea is a time-honored tradition at Reid's Palace. Photo: Belmond —
- Cruising the island's winding roads in a classic car in search of the sunset. Photo: Belmond
In the mid-sixteenth century, William Shakespeare had cited in his play "Richard III" the notoriety of Madeira Malvasia, explaining in his work that the Duke of Clarence had chosen to die drowned in a barrel of this wine.
The vine in Madeira is grown in small earthen enclosures known as "poios", which are supported by earthen walls "terraços" on the slopes of the mountains, often difficult to access.
The unique soil and climate of the island of Madeira, as well as the production process and the type of grapes cultivated, contribute to the creation of a unique wine in the world.
There are more than thirty varieties of Madeira wine, where the noblest are the Sercial, Boal, Verdelho, and Malvasia.
Madeira wine was chosen to celebrate the independence of the United States on July 4, 1776.
Madeira is an island that can be visited during all months of the year thanks to its oceanic climate with mild temperatures. Every season of the year has its special attraction. On Christmas and New Year's Eve, for example, the city of Funchal is decorated with hundreds of colored lights and the fireworks that illuminate the island on New Year's Eve are famous and among the largest pyrotechnic shows in the world.
This tradition has been maintained since the eighteenth century when bonfires were made in the city to celebrate the night of San Silvestre, and later on, the English residents on the island introduced fireworks to celebrate the new year.
Photo: Ray Hennessy.
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