Stepping the World: Travel Channel documentary on the island of Madeira.
Filmed in two parts - click the links to watch video Part-1
Part-2
The new road system makes driving to other areas of the island, from your dream holiday location quite easy. You can hire your own car locally, or hire your very own
tour guide.
We can thoroughly recommend Jose Manuel, who speaks
excellent English, has an in depth knowledge of the island and is a courteous and careful driver.
Jose Manuel charges very reasonable rates and you can book a half-day, or full-day tour,
but he is extremely popular and it is wise to book in advance,
OR we will be happy to book this for you.
It is hard to imagine that such a small island has so much to offer. It is 32 miles x 12 miles and almost 6000 ft at its highest point and has a huge diversity of landscapes.
There are impressive coastal areas, with cliffs that drop spectacularly into the ocean, pine forests and the "Laurissilva" area that is now classified as a World Natural Heritage site. There are majestic mountain peaks and deep valleys, waterfalls and exotic vegetation.
Visit the Wine Lodges and sample the delights of Madeira wine which has been produced on the island since the 17th Century.
Have a day trip to the island of Porto Santo which lies to the northeast, has miles of magnificent sandy beaches
and a golf course designed by Severiano Ballestros.
Two championship courses, the 27-hole Santo da Serra and the Palheiro 18-hole, both offering challenging golf and spectacular
scenery.
Just 15 mins. drive, East of Funchal, The Palheiro additionaly offers discounted green fees for our "Quinta Elena" guests.
Visit the many wonderful gardens such as the Botanic Gardens, Monte via the cable car, and the famous Palheiro Gardens.
Don’t miss the thrill of the famous Toboggan Ride that begins high up at Monte and careers down narrow, winding streets to Livramento, reaching at times a speed of 48km/hr.
All over the Island particularly in the higher reaches and mountainsides you will find a network of man made irrigation
channels, called "Levadas". These Levadas bring natural rainfall water from the higher slopes of the mountains
down to the lower reaches of the Island that are in desperate need of water to irrigate the crops.
With a worldwide reputation for the pathways that border these irrigation canals, walkers have
stunning views of the valleys and mountains.
The older Levadas, built centuries ago, are narrow and plummet steeply downhill from mountainside springs - really challenging
walking. Their banks are covered with wild flowers, and the water rushes and foams with energy. The newer Levadas are wide
'mini-canals' and run horizontally along the island's contours - ideal for easy walks. See explorers link.
Sailing, big game fishing, Whale and Dolphin spotting trips can be arranged, together with Helicopter flights and balloon rides.
Explore the old town and spend time in the historic churches and museums, or relax and have a coffee or a beer in the beautifully renovated squares.
A visit to the colourful indoor market is a must and particularly on Fridays when the
people from out of town arrive to look and also to sell their goods.
The flower ladies in their colourful traditional
costumes are a special sight.
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