Shoppers have an array of goods of peculiarly Madeiran character to choose from. The embroidery of Madeira is generally recognized as being the finest of its kind in the world. There are many different varieties of Madeira wine offered for tasting. Wickerwork can be seen in the making and there is beautiful china to tempt the buyer.
There is a wide array of both British and Portuguese food in the super markets in Funchal and the smaller towns, there is a market selling fresh fruit and vegetables and fish.
The levada walks are part of Madeira’s peculiar charm. Walking the paths that run alongside the water courses that transport water from the north side of the island to the south side and from rivers to ridges is the perfect way to see the island. Most of the walking is easy and the countryside spectacular but for more advanced walkers and climbers, there are challenging routes over the interior mountains. In the west, there’s a popular, coastal walk, following the levada from Ponto do Pargo, the most westerly point of the island, to Calheta, with uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean on the one side and the ridges of the Paul da Serra on the other. For further information consult :-
Pat and John Underwood’s book “Landscapes of Madeira”, published in 1980, is still an invaluable guide to levada walking and is on sale in Madeira’s bookshops. Alternatively visit the publisher's website here
Another real benefit of renting our villas is that a levada (Levada Nova) is only yards away. Just remember to take your camera along as well.
There are several golf courses, Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra Golf Clubs, with superb locations and unbeatable scenery. Golfing equipment, including buggies, can be hired from the clubhouse and professional tuition is available. Palheiro’s facilities also include a putting green, covered training area and driving nets. A third course is under construction 15 minutes drive to the west at Prazeres. For further information click here
The local football club, Maritimo, in the Portuguese first division, usually plays on a Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon at the Barreiros football stadium. Tickets are sold at the grounds on match days and at other times at the club museum or shop. Tel 291223747
During the first week of August, the European Automobile Championship takes place. Contact the tourist office in Funchal for more details. There is also car rallying every other Saturday all the year round.
There are public tennis and squash courts in the Quinta Magnolia.
The Atlantic invites you to go sailing, whale and dolphin spotting, water skiing, surfing, scuba diving and of course swimming. Nearby is Paul do Mar, the island’s surfing ‘capital’ and Jardim do Mar hosted the world’s surfing championships in 2001, while Ponta Pequena boasts Atlantic rollers of over 5 meters (all very close by).
Most of the boat trips leave from the Funchal Marina and destinations include Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Baia de Abra. Some go down the coast past Cabo Girao, the highest cliffs in Europe, and the Garajau coastline offers one of Europe’s first underwater nature reserves. There is also a three hour tour of Porto Santo with swimming stops or alternatively there are several daily 15 minute flights from Funchal airport. Or why not take a 90 minute trip on the full scale mahogany replica of Columbus' ship the Santa Maria (from Funchal harbour).
For more information telephone Arco da Calheta 291 827 634 or +351-964 133907 or consult a website such as this. Or click here to email. You will note the webcam that heads this website covers a similar view of Arco da Calheta as from our villa – only a couple of hundred yards away.
With 340 flying days available in a year, this gives you some idea of the wonderful weather awaiting your holiday break.
There are many restaurants and the menu is little different from that of mainland Portugal though there are a few dishes peculiar to Madeira. Local specialties to try are espetada, skewered chunks of prime beef, rubbed in salt and garlic and espada, the scabbard fish, served with the traditional side dish of fried bananas. There are numerous fish treats and side dishes. Milho frito, fried cornmeal, and pao de batala, brown bread made with sweet potatoes are probably the most usual.
Desserts are somewhat overlooked but there is an amazing selection of fresh fruit, including mangoes, passion fruit, strawberries and figs. You may also be offered Madeiran cheesecake or bolo de mel, a dark cake made with honey, molasses, almonds and dried fruit and seasoned with cloves.
Madeiran fortified wine is widely available in restaurants as well as locally brewed beer and cider. Liqueurs are something of a Madeiran specialty. Poncha, made with sugar cane, lemon juice, honey and brandy should be handled with care. If alcohol is not your first choice, there is a delicious selection of reasonably priced, fresh fruit juices.
Funchal’s exquisite Municipal Theatre is an important venue for plays and concerts of classical or folk music.