Madeira is an equilibrium between peace and quality with plenty of things to see and do and has provided many an exciting holiday over the years. The whole island has evolved considerably since it´s discovery by the Portuguese explorer Zarco in 1418 and over the past 100 years it has been the growing number of visitors, who have made a key contribution to the growth of the region´s most economic sector – tourism.  The island is situated 400 miles off the coast of North Africa and forms a triangle with Portugal and Morocco. Position: Atlantic Ocean 32° 38`N. lat. and 16°  54`N. lat. long.  Area of the island: maximum length 57 km  x  maximum width 22 km.  Madeira has the most extensive and well conserved Laurel forest in the world, it occupies around 15,000 hectares of the island - with worldwide recognition of the European Council in 1992 and the World National Heritage decreed by UNESCO in 1999. 

Funchal - The capital Funchal is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan, coastal city with a very gentle, civilised people. This city is a remarkable blend of the old and the new and traditional architecture remains fashionable and celebrated even in new constructions. Along Portuguese mosaic and cobbled streets full of shops, offices, banks, museums, wineries, embroidery houses and restaurants -beautifully renovated old squares and gardens appear, proudly showcasing traditional Maderian buildings and ever blooming arrays of colourful and exotic flowers.  Funchal won European City status in 2005.

Community - International visitors, immigrants and local people mingle very comfortably here. Population: About 320,000 inhabitants, density 344 per km2.  Madeira is a renowned quality holiday destination and so, newly weds, young professionals, couples and the mature traveller can certainly identify with, and appreciate, all it has to offer.  With such a peaceful ambience, by day or night a stroll anywhere in Madeira is safe and most enjoyable.  You´ll notice teenagers are here are fun-loving, respectful and generally well behaved. 

Activities - Throughout the island sports activities such as sailing, surfing, diving, fishing, golfing, paragliding, walking and adventure sports such as mountain biking are popular with visitors and local people alike. Walkers do note that the walking trails in Madeira are varied and graded accordingly and guided tours are recommended. Although not a typical destination for children, both children and adults can have great fun wizzing down the waterslides at the newly opened Aqua Park at Santa Cruz - or alternatively by having a day out at the new sandy beach at Calheta.  To cater to those simply wanting to relax and unwind, spas can now be found in many of Madeira's high quality hotels and offer a multitude of wellness treatments.

Annual entertainment - Apart from being the ideal destination for getting away form it all, relaxing and retiring, Madeira also provides a wealth of entertainment throughout the year. The archipelago’s customs are annually celebrated in huge style, in particular the festivals of Carnival (Funchal Carnival 2010 -  starts 9pm through the streets of Funchal 13th February 2010), Flowers, Atlantic, Wine, Christopher Columbus, of course Christmas and probably the highlight of the year; the spectacular New Year Celebrations. Everyone is invited to join in, locals and holidaymakers alike.  There are strong expatriate communities over the island who organise events and fund raisers throughout the year also. The Sunday Service in the English Church welcomes people from all denominations.

Food & drink - The local supermarkets are well equipped and the British Goods mini market at the Lido, Goodies, supplies all those items you might be missing from home!  When eating out you´ll find  restaurants in abundance and a high standard of food is generally a given everywhere on the island.  Fish is cooked from fresh daily as is the beef delicacy the `Espetada´ . You may notice that there is a strong coffee culture throughout the island and it seems like a café can be found on almost every corner. 

Evening entertainment - After dinner, whether opting for a night at the theatre, a visit to a local festival, fun at the Casino or a visit to one of Funchal´s quite or lively bars, Madeira's nightlife is surprisingly happening. The most hip bar on the island is considered to be the `Teatro´ on the newly pedestrianised main drag of Avenida do Arriaga in Funchal, & situated in the Lido area there is also an Irish pub to try called `Kelts´ which often features local bands and talent.   Most hotels put on evening entertainment, so holidaymakers, residents and locals can always find something to enjoy together.

Out and about by car - driving here is not for the nervous, as Funchal especially, is full of tricky and exciting hairpin bends. If you can tackle them comfortably you will love reaching the tranquillity that the mountains, coastal roads and interior countryside has to offer.  If you are short of time for your journey  it´s an idea to take the scenic coastal roads to your destination and the motorways back again to Funchal.

Roads for tourism & economy - Making Funchal more speedily accessible than every before, ongoing extensive modernisation of the island´s road infrastructure with new access roads, through tunnels and over viaducts, has shortened distances between each coast. This restructural progress has greatly assisted the islands working population as Madeira is very much a working island producing it´s famous Madeira Wine and liquors, wicker and embroidery, fish and seafood farming, assorted vegetables, fruits and cereals as well as some sugar cane and cattle for the `Espedada´ so that Madeira is as self-sufficient, as a a small island can be.

Tourism News - According to Conde Next Traveller (CNT); the internationally renowned travel magazine, Madeira was placed 11th position on the CNT's TOP 20 Most Sought After Islands of the World. In the 2006 Awards Madeira had the advantage of reaching 3rd place in the European Islands Category, tipped at the post by Sicily and The Greek Islands. Falling behind Madeira were the islands of Hawaii, Majorca, Cyprus, Canaries, Sardinha and Corsica amongst others.  On the list of awards the legendary Choupana Hills Resort & Spa of Madeira stands at 9th place amongst the Top Spa's preferred by tourists worldwide.  The outcome of such results were based on a questionnaire conducted by CNT with the aid of its readers.

Madeira Revisited - Having been captivated by the picturesque working countryside with its peaks and falls, flora, banana plantations, vineyards, wicker markets and embroidery houses, and all this destination has to offer, many visitors fall head over heals in love with island from the off, and as a result, holiday to Madeira several times a year.

Property – Increasingly, a number visitors decide to relocate here and purchase apartments, townhouses and villas.  (checkout www.astuteandco.com)  Other visitors have taken the more adventurous route of securing a piece of land and building a home to their very own design and specifications.

Accommodation - Madeira has a 5-star reputation and the resorts with 5 star and 4 star self catering timeshare apartments are a quality option.  The majority of island's 3 to 5 star hotels are all based around Funchal and Funchal city centre is within walking distance from most.  Travel and Flights - Madeira is directly accessible from the UK and Ireland.  Flights from Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, East Midlands, Luton, Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Exeter and Dublin fly into Funchal International Airport every week so the cummute is easily achievable when necessary if you fall in love with the island and opt for longer stays here.

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