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Madeira holiday review - Madeira holidays - Madeira hotels & apartments |
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Madeira holidays & hotels |
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 Madeira is tiny, just 13 miles (21km) wide and 35 miles (56km) long, and has no beaches, but it does have an Eden-like beauty with its rich volcanic soil having turned it into a botanical wonderland and agricultural treasure house. Most of the indigenous thick forest was destroyed in a fire created by the first Portuguese colonialists to clear it for farming. Today however the fragrant island blooms with colourful masses of orchids, bougainvillea, frangipani, wisteria and geraniums. Fruit and herbs grow in profusion on the hillsides and in ravines, and the mountain slopes are terraced with orchards and vineyards. The island has been termed a 'floating garden'. Most people have heard of the Portuguese island of Madeira, but not many know exactly where it is. Located more than 600 miles (966km) southwest of Lisbon, it is a mere speck in the vast Atlantic Ocean. Madeira, along with its sister island of Porto Santo, is actually the summit of an undersea mountain, rearing up with craggy cliffs from the warm blue Gulf Stream waters in one of the deepest parts of the Atlantic. It features one of the world's highest ocean cliffs, soaring 1,933ft (589m) above the sea, which presented a forbidding sight to the ancient Portuguese mariners who first discovered the island archipelago in the 15th century. In fact Porto Santo and Madeira were the first 'new worlds' that were colonised by Henry the Navigator in his quest to explore the world. |
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Multi Madeira Search |
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Madeira Pictorial |
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| Canico is split into two parts, the traditional old town and the newer resort area. The older part has an 18th century church and the main square where as the newer resort has the hotels and shops. There is a golf course just outside Canico. A small pebbly beach is to the east of the resort. This is a great base for exploring the island. |
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| Calheta is one of Madeira's best beach holiday spots. With Madeira Island's rocky coast, it's rare to find sandy beaches here, but the secrets out, superb family holiday hotspot Calheta has two sandy beach bays. Other Calheta attractions include the Centro de Artes das Mudas cultural centre and Calheta' s little marina which offers a choice of watersports activities. |
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| Funchal is the capital of Madeira and is a vibrant city made up of maze of cobbled streets. There are excellent restaurants and bars with cafes on every corner. There is plenty of sightseeing that should not be missed such as the botanical gardens. There is a casino where they have cabaret shows nightly, a night not to be missed! Funchal is an ideal resort to just relax or base yourself for some sightseeing. |
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| Machico is an ideal place for a typical Madeiran getaway. There is a small beach where a selection of watersports are available. There is also a golf course for a quick round. There are some lovely local restaurants and bars to meet the locals in. Machico is an ideal resort for couples to enjoy the delights of Madeira. |
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| Santa Cruz. Surrounded by mountains in a spectacular sea-front location the charming village of Santa Cruz, is only 15 minutes from Funchal, 10 minutes from Madeira’s 2 golf courses, 5 minutes from the airport and within walking distance of the Island’s only water park. The village offers a narrow pebble beach and a promenade. |
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| Sao Vicente is the largest town of northern Madeira, and also one of the most beautiful on the island. There are some interesting sight-seeing spots here such as the Sao Vicente Chapel, which is built inside a cave. There is a small port on the sea front and some pretty shops in the narrow streets. |
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ABTA & ATOL protection is included for all holidays. |
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