Area Description: The Madeira region: Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago with PortoSanto Island and Selvagens too. It has a volcanic origins from a Hot Spot. It does not make part of any continent. Madeira belongs and has belonged ethnically, culturally, economically and politically to Europe 600 years.Madeira is part of Portugal, an Outermost Region, so is part of European Union. Madeira was discovered between 1418 and 1420 by two Portuguese captains João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixira by orders of Prince Henry The Navigator, master from the Sagres Navigator School. Madeira is a popular year -round resort. By its geographical situation here you can do all kind of sports, mountain and sea, swimming on the sea on the municipal fantastic pools, discover the bushes as Laurisilva a Unesco protected, Gabo Girão (that you can see from the apartment), Santana, a place where you can find how the antiques lived in the ... [Read More]

Area Description: The Madeira region: Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago with PortoSanto Island and Selvagens too. It has a volcanic origins from a Hot Spot. It does not make part of any continent. Madeira belongs and has belonged ethnically, culturally, economically and politically to Europe 600 years.Madeira is part of Portugal, an Outermost Region, so is part of European Union. Madeira was discovered between 1418 and 1420 by two Portuguese captains João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixira by orders of Prince Henry The Navigator, master from the Sagres Navigator School. Madeira is a popular year -round resort. By its geographical situation here you can do all kind of sports, mountain and sea, swimming on the sea on the municipal fantastic pools, discover the bushes as Laurisilva a Unesco protected, Gabo Girão (that you can see from the apartment), Santana, a place where you can find how the antiques lived in their small houses. Pico Ruivo, nearly 2.000 metres high. The north of the Island is completely different from the south. It is more nature, natura! Also you can make the levadas. Channels of water. Madeira has in Funchal has a good climate all over the year and is located in an unique area,with a fantastic harbour spread in an enormous amphitheatre. Funchal / Ajuda area Funchal, the capital city of the island of Madeira, has pleasant temperatures throughout the whole year, with slight variations occurring depending on the altitude (a tendency that happens on the whole island). Funchal is one of those places that when you have been there you will never forget. During all year there are many festivities like: festa da flor, Flower festival; Festa do Vinho, Festa da cereja, strawberry festival, Festa da castanha,and also festivals of all its guardian Saints, as Madeiriens are very religious. Christmas is very special for Maderiens. They decorate all their houses and all public spaces and they make a representation of the birth of Jesus. Even in the poorest houses people celebrate it. Also there are many Jesus birth representation in different public areas. They call it "Lapinha". It is the reason for which the month of December is called "the Fiest". Funchal city has its own Marina and pebbled beaches, a few public swimming pools, soccer stadium, local restaurants, shopping centres, pizzerias, pubs, shops, hotels, public gardens etc. Interesting places to visit / things to do in Funchal include: museums, cable car rides, walks on the promenade in Lido, going to the cinema, wine museum, local fish market, historical churches and buildings, etc. Public transport is readily available within the local municipality of Funchal, as well as express bus services between Funchal and all other towns on the island. Taxis are also readily available, as well as several car rental agencies. ACCESS: Approx. 20 minutes to the airport. Approx. 10 minutes drive to Palheiro Golf Course Website for more info on Funchal: www.cm-funchal.pt/cmf/en/ Website for more info on Madeira Island: www.madeiratourism.org How to get there By plane. There are many airline companies that fly to Madeira as Madeira is a very popular destination for vacation. Namely: British Airways; tap; easyjet.com. From the airport you can take a bus or taxi to Funchal. It takes about 15 minutes. In the airport there are several car hire companies. Nearest Travel Links Airport: Madeira Airport: 20 km Ferry: Funchal to Porto Santo Island: 10 km Local Area Details Madeira is a perfect alternative to your traditional beach holiday The island often called the Jewel of the Atlantic is also known as the Floating Garden Majestic mountains are carpeted in vineyards plantations and exuberant flowers and an oldworld charm is still evident in traditional villages such as Santana as well as its capital Funchal Additional Information About Weather/Climate/Temperature The climate is sub-tropical with warm frost free winters and cooling Atlantic winds to take the edge off the intense heat of summer. Temperatures average 24°C in the summer and only drop to around 19°C in the winter.