Travel: Five reasons to visit beautiful Madeira

Our partners at Travel Department and TD Active Holidays have launched a range of trips to Madeira this year, offering three ways to explore this stunning island.

SAVE €60pp* on holidays of 7 nights using the promo code DON60 (Find out more here: https://www.traveldepartment.com/donegal-daily) To discuss any questions or make a booking simply call 01 637 1698 and quote ‘Donegal Daily’. 

The beautiful island of Madeira is situated in the Atlantic Ocean and this Portuguese territory is lapped by the waters of the Gulf Stream. In 2022 Madeira won the award for World’s Leading Island Destination, granted by The World Travel Awards.

With a pleasant climate, dramatic scenery, beautiful flowers and gardens, mountain trails and a unique island culture, Madeira is a holiday destination with something for everyone.

Check out our top five highlights of Madeira:

1. Wine and food – Islands of unforgettable flavours

Thanks to the subtropical climate and volcanic soils, Madeira’s cuisine is based on fresh and varied local ingredients. Traditional dishes include “tuna steak with fried corn”, “swordfish steak”, “skewers (espetada)”, “passion fruit pudding”, “limpets” and tropical fruits amongst others. Madeira’s wine has received several awards throughout time thanks to the types of grape, climate and volcanic soils in the region. The best known grape varieties of Madeira’s wines are Sercial, Boal, Verdelho and Malvasia, but there are many other grape varieties, with wines of different degrees of sweetness: dry, half dry, sweet and half sweet. There are several wineries and restaurants offering tastings, traditionally accompanied by Madeira honey cake.

2. Gardens of Madeira – Natural and exuberant scenery

Guided tours of Madeira gardens

Madeira offers incredible natural landscapes and really demonstrates how inspiring our Earth can be, making it one of our top sun destinations. Madeira is also known for the variety of its gardens, carefully cared and appreciated by locals as well as visitors. The subtropical climate allows the survival of a wide variety of flowers, plants and trees from all over the world, whose aromas and colours give the island a natural charm. Strelicias, magnolias, anthuriums, orchids… there are always flowers blooming, in any season.

3. Wicker Sledges –  A Unique activity

Experience wicker sledges in Madeira

Fun can be found on literally every turn! These cars are produced with wicker and wood and have two to three seats. They are led and controlled by two drivers, dressed in white and with a straw hat on their heads. The drivers, with great skill and expertise, use thick rubber soles on their boots as brakes during an exhilarating trip of pure adrenaline and emotion.

4. Sunrise & Sunset – Unforgettable moments

Best sunsets and sunrises in Madeira

For an incredible sunrise in Madeira, go to the mountain of Pico do Areeiro, one of the highest peaks of the island at 5965 feet. Arrive just as the sun is about to rise above the horizon and as the sky begins to change to a paler shade of starlight. Make sure to take photos in this magnificent landscape at this sublime moment so that you will treasure this memory forever. If you’re not an early morning riser, you can also admire the sunset in one on the spots by the sea: Praia Formosa, Madalena do Mar or Paul do mar. Sit in one of the bars close to the sea from where you can see the sun setting into the ocean. It’s really amazing!

5. Fajã dos Padres – A memorable experience

Visit fajã in Madeira

This fajã is not one of the most popular places in Madeira, but that helps making it even more special. The access is quite particular and different from what we are used to. One way is to go down the cable car from the top of the slope (where you can leave your car) all the way to the Fajã area, by the sea. The other way is by sea, via boat. Here the sea is so clear that it is possible to see the ocean floor when we are out of the water. There is a small pier, which gives you direct access to the sea and from where you can dive. The water temperature can reach about 24.5 °C in summer, can you imagine? You won’t even feel like getting out of the water.

Take a Guided Walking Holiday To Madeira with TDactive Holidays

Discover Madeira’s intriguing history and incomparable scenery with us. We’ll embark on a city tour of Funchal, experience a typical Madeiran evening of food and entertainment, explore the east of the island and much more. There will also, of course, be plenty of free time to explore Madeira at your own pace.

Travel Department and TDactive holidays to Madeira include return flights, the expertise of a local tour guide, accommodation, all transfers and our specially selected excursions and tours.

EXCLUSIVE DONEGAL DAILY DISCOUNTS:

  • Save €100pp* on holidays of 8 nights or more and river cruises using the promo code DON100
  • Save €60pp* on holidays of 7 nights using the promo code DON60
  • Save €30pp* on holidays of 6 nights or less using the promo code DON30

Browse and book your dream getaway here: www.traveldepartment.com/donegal-daily

To discuss any questions or make a booking simply call 01 637 1698 and quote ‘Donegal Daily’.

Donegal Daily is an affiliate partner of Travel Department and TDactive holidays.


Travel with Confidence:

Your holiday is a very special time, and Travel Department craft the itineraries to make sure that you get the most enjoyment. The world is continuously changing, and they have been adapting to make sure that they deliver the best experience for you. Their priority is to bring you a wonderful experience safely. So, when you book with Travel Department, you can do so in the knowledge they’ll look after you every step of the way.

Travel Department is Europe’s leading escorted tour operators with nearly 30 years’ experience of crafting beautifully curated, inspirational itineraries to worldwide destinations, all accompanied by expert local guides. They offer a wide range of guided group holidays from City Breaks to Solo Travel to active and adventure holidays (including Walking, Yoga and Photography holidays) with their sister brand, TD active Holidays.

Flights are available from Dublin, Cork and Belfast in Northern Ireland.

The holiday mood is upbeat and friendly making for a fun, inclusive group where everyone feels welcome. Travel Department’s escorted holidays typically include flights, accommodation, transfers and guided tours. They carefully plan your trip, so you experience the best holiday highlights accompanied by a friendly local guide. With Travel Department you see more!

 

Travel: Five reasons to visit beautiful Madeira was last modified: January 29th, 2024 by Travel Department

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