Non UK Madeira

Nathalie

Nathalie

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I'm going to Madeira end of Feb and was wondering if anyone has suggestions for good locations for photography. Animals, flowers, landscapes, architecture - anything really. It's not a photographic holiday as such but I would like to try and make the most of it, seeing as this is my first proper (non Scandinavian) holiday in 9 (!) years.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)
 
The Glass floored cliff thingy at - Miradouro do Cabo Giräo
A day Taxi tour is well worth it (although expensive), the driver will offer several tours, get a driver who speaks a language you understand.
Day trip (via ferry) to Porto Santo island (have a jeep trip whilst there). Ferry goes out about 8.00 comes back about 6.00 two hours each way.
Blandy's is interesting (take a flash gun).
Tropical Gardens via the cable car.
There are loads of glass bottomed boats/trimarans/galleons etc sailing from the harbour
Open topped bus hop on and off day tickets, local to Funchal.
Câmara de Lobos - the open topped bus stops here, this is where Churchill came to paint.
Fish (and fruit) market, Funchal

Beware Funchal front is being radically redeveloped at the moment (extending moorings for cruise ships and extending the harbour) so a lot of it is dug up and/or screened by corrugated sheeting.

The old town is quaint but you do get mobbed by restaurateurs, but they are all friendly.

Restaurants -
Armazem Do Sal
Restaurante Dos Combatentes

Try
Scabbard fish and banana
Beef on a stick - espetada
acorda - soup with a poached egg in it
prego no prato - Portuguese beefburger
 
hi depends really their are loads where are you staying ?i guess funchal
 
I went there a couple of years ago, it's really beautiful place. Make sure you do a levada walk, they're awsome and full of nature. The island of Porto Santo is pretty cool also, idilic beaches and all that.

Check out this for some inspiration: http://www.shothotspot.com/hotspots...3730000002&country=PT&place=Madeira,+Portugal

Specifically, I'd visit Ponta de Sao Lourenco, Igreia de Nossa Senhora do Monte and Porto Moniz. Also the moutains are a relatively easy drive and above the clouds, very cool!
 
simonkit said:
I'd highly recommend the walk at Baia da Abra, wonderful coastal scenery

http://walks.walkingworld.com/walk/...-Sardinha---Pico-do-Furado---Baia-d-Abra.aspx

The walk from Pico Ruivo to Pico do Arieiro is unmissable, stunning scenery and not too difficult, you can hire a local guide for reasonable cost if you prefer
Click to expand...
monkeyballs said:
I went there a couple of years ago, it's really beautiful place. Make sure you do a levada walk, they're awsome and full of nature. The island of Porto Santo is pretty cool also, idilic beaches and all that.

Check out this for some inspiration: http://www.shothotspot.com/hotspots/?nelng=-16.655246199999965&nelat=32.8706251&swlat=32.6328786&swlng=-17.26593730000002&country=PT&place=Madeira, Portugal

Specifically, I'd visit Ponta de Sao Lourenco, Igreia de Nossa Senhora do Monte and Porto Moniz. Also the moutains are a relatively easy drive and above the clouds, very cool!
Click to expand...
Cheers. It sounds like we need to do at least one walk while we're there. Shame we've only got a week!
john-oh said:
The Glass floored cliff thingy at - Miradouro do Cabo Giräo
A day Taxi tour is well worth it (although expensive), the driver will offer several tours, get a driver who speaks a language you understand.
Day trip (via ferry) to Porto Santo island (have a jeep trip whilst there). Ferry goes out about 8.00 comes back about 6.00 two hours each way.
Blandy's is interesting (take a flash gun).
Tropical Gardens via the cable car.
There are loads of glass bottomed boats/trimarans/galleons etc sailing from the harbour
Open topped bus hop on and off day tickets, local to Funchal.
Câmara de Lobos - the open topped bus stops here, this is where Churchill came to paint.
Fish (and fruit) market, Funchal

Beware Funchal front is being radically redeveloped at the moment (extending moorings for cruise ships and extending the harbour) so a lot of it is dug up and/or screened by corrugated sheeting.

The old town is quaint but you do get mobbed by restaurateurs, but they are all friendly.

Restaurants -
Armazem Do Sal
Restaurante Dos Combatentes

Try
Scabbard fish and banana
Beef on a stick - espetada
acorda - soup with a poached egg in it
prego no prato - Portuguese beefburger
Click to expand...
Many thanks, Simon. That's a lot of good info! We'd heard about the botanical gardens and that was the first item on the to-do list, but there isn't much else on it at the moment.
 
Defo hire a car you cam get around much better , if only their a week best of weather Always in mornings , enjoy bonight,
 
Well - I am back.

I really enjoyed the weather and the sunshine, though technically I think it is still winter over there. It was between 17 - 20 degrees during the day down in Funchal, predominantly sunny or part cloudy. Quite a lot colder at higher altitudes and much more clouds. We didn't get to do everything we wanted, but then we were a tad optimistic trying to cram it all in... A week isn't enough time. Plus some things you needed to book in advance and our travel agent rep didn't appear very interested in helping out -- lesson learnt for next time; book everything yourself. Also, with it being winter and the Atlantic being a little rough, they weren't running the Deserter Islands trip, which was a shame because I'd really been looking forward to that.

We visited a few of the gardens (Botanical, Tropical and one specialised in orchids), rode the cable car (twice, as it was the most convenient way of transport) and went on a tour of the western part of the island. I had to pass on the tour of the eastern part of the island that we'd booked, due to a stomach bug (very shortlived, thankfully!). The carnival was on while we were there, which was pretty cool to watch. Food was good and there was plenty of choice, though I had mostly fish.

Things I'd like to do if I go back; Deserter Islands, try one of the eco tours for wildlife etc (not very many of these available - or perhaps just not very well advertised) and do a proper long levada walk / hike. My travelling companion had a problem with her foot and we had to keep walking to a minimum. Something to take note of is that the island is ALL hills and mountains, which means regardless of where you go, you will end up climbing steep hills or stairs. I don't think we came across any attraction that was actually wheelchair friendly.

A couple of photos from the trip... The scenery is amazing, though I'm afraid the photos don't do it justice:


Untitled by C Fredriksson, on Flickr

Untitled by C Fredriksson, on Flickr

Untitled by C Fredriksson, on Flickr

Untitled by C Fredriksson, on Flickr
 
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