A European island of eternal spring with a slow pace of life and a constant holiday atmosphere

This island belongs to the Macaronesian archipelago (the Canary Islands belong to this archipelago). It is almost twice the size of Vilnius, and Europeans got to know the island during great geographical discoveries, media reported. Madeira was already recognized at that time as a great place to trade and grow sugar cane and vineyards, which were a true vein of gold at the time. The island of Madeira is still famous today for its vineyards and, in particular, for Madeira wine.

The island of Madeira has long been a popular stopover for sea voyages. The boats moored here to replenish food, water and local wine for the next voyage. However, the sailors faced the problem that the wine stored under the deck of the ship, damaged by tropical weather conditions, was spoiled. To avoid this, the sailors began to add distillate to the wine barrels. As a result, the wine became resistant to high temperatures and thus a much better wine was extracted. Today, one of the most popular souvenirs on the island is a bottle of wine, whose year of production coincides with the year of your birth.

The nature of Madeira is a real phenomenon in Europe. The island is famous for its endemic laurel forests, dating back to prehistoric times when dinosaurs walked the earth’s surface. Therefore, a walk in such forests is accompanied by unforgettable experiences, where the incredible beauty of nature and variety of species are revealed. An example of such a plant is Strelicia, a refined and colorful royal-looking flower. However, all the diversity of nature can only be admired thanks to the dikes, irrigation canals, which carry water from north to south. Hiking trails along the levees provide access to unique spots on the island. All the trails in Madeira are numbered and named, and some of the most famous nature trails are Levada das 25 fontes and Levada Rabacal.

These cognitive trails near the cams are of varying length and complexity, so everyone can choose based on their physical abilities or desires. But that’s not all that travelers are fascinated by Madeira. Another unique place to feel on the edge of the world is the Ponta do Sao Lourenco peninsula, surrounded on all sides by the immensity of the ocean. Madeira also has one of the highest cliffs in the world, in which many people begin to beat faster: Cabo Girao, this rock reaches a height of 589 meters above sea level. There is an observation deck where you can watch the waves of the Atlantic Ocean break the glass floor.

The island of Madeira is extremely diverse, not just in nature. The south of the island is much more commercialized than the north of the island. The northern part is harsher and wilder, overlooking the natural ocean pools of Porto Moniz.

The folklore and traditions of Madeira also require special attention. Heading to the small town of Santana, you can see examples of regional architecture that you will definitely want to capture in the photo. Also, honey and local fabrics can be found in local grocery stores.

After visiting all these places, don’t miss Funchal, the capital of the charismatic island. Here you will find excellent local restaurants and no less interesting bars with delicious food. Exciting dishes can be tasted on a visit to Madeira: ‘espetada’, a meat served on skewers that is hung on a table, ‘bolo do caco’, a baked wheat cake or ‘bolo de miel’, a sweet dessert from honey . However, we must not forget the seafood – Espada – a monster from the depths of the Atlantic – the fish of the Black Sword. It is an extremely delicate fish whose flavor is best revealed when served with passion fruit sauce.

Funchal is, among other things, a cultural center with a majestic architecture with many galleries. But perhaps the most famous and visited are the wonderful parks and gardens. With an island called the European Garden, it should come as no surprise that it is the parks that draw crowds of people who want to admire the stunning diversity and uniqueness of nature. One of the most famous gardens is the Jardim Botanico on Monte Hill, which can be reached by cable car. It takes about 20 minutes to enjoy the impressive panorama of the city. No less impressive is the descent. You can go down with braided sleds, which will definitely not leave you indifferent. They generally accommodate 2-3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. With these sleds you will drive through the narrow, paved and even steep streets of Funchal. These sleds are usually driven by two men who push the sleds as they run. And it is not a simple street job, it is a profession that a father transmits to a son. Such a sled descent lasts about 2 km and will certainly be remembered for a long time.

Funchal is also a hub for nightlife with famous nightclubs bustling until dawn. In addition, each year the New Year celebration attracts an exceptional number of people, thanks to the fireworks festival in and around the port of Funchal. In terms of entertainment, it is worth adding that landing or taking off from an island airport is another unusual experience. Cristiano Ronaldo Airport (an airport named after a footballer) is one of the most unusual in Europe. The airport is practically sloping and the runway is in the middle of the poles that rise directly from the ocean. The impression is that the landing or take-off is done on a huge aircraft carrier.

In short, you can find countless places of interest and entertainment in this remote but amazing corner. However, a 7-day trip to this island to experience and see everything will certainly not be enough, but it is gratifying that the tour operator ITAKA Lithuania operates direct flights from Lithuania, so it will always be possible to return to Madeira again and again. .