For most American travelers, experiencing Hawai’i on vacation is something that is a must-do at least once. However, when extremely high airfares and the seasonal surge of travelers to Hawai’i occurs, visiting Europe becomes more desirable once all factors are taken into consideration – especially if you live on the East Coast of the US. So what does one do in order to experience Hawaiian-like weather and scenery? One visits Madeira.
Madeira is comprised of eight islands, but Madeira Island and Porto Santo are the only two that are inhabited. A 90-minute flight from Lisbon, Portugal will bring you to Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Madeira’s capital city of Funchal. (Named after soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo, this airport is a dream for aviation enthusiasts). Varying wind patterns make virtually every landing a unique experience, and take note, the beginning of runway is an elevated platform. Once you deplane and exit the airport, you will immediately begin to understand why the Madeira is compared to Hawai’i. Beyond its idyllic weather and lush Eden-like surroundings, the personal hospitality of this island is what makes Madeira such a standout destination.
With its moderate subtropical climate, Madeira is ideal for a wide variety of travelers. Couples will enjoy its casual and romantic settings that pepper the island; families will appreciate all of its recreational and educational offerings, including dolphin and whale-watching experiences; and adventurers will find they have reached a new level of physicality while standing in awe of amazing views (more on this in a moment).
One of the most memorable things to do on Madeira Island is to experience a sunrise atop a mountain. Of course, the eastern side of the island provides outstanding sunrise views, but watching the sun make its first appearance from a mountaintop in Santana is a jaw-dropping experience. For comparison, sunrise from Hawai’i’s Mt. Haleakala on the island of Maui is phenomenal occurrence. However, one major benefit of a sunrise viewing on Madeira is that you won’t need to scurry from your hotel before 4 a.m. for a one-way drive on a dark and winding mountain road that may take up to two hours to complete. A sunrise experience with Adventureland Madeira will pick you up around 6:30 a.m. in Funchal for a 45-minute drive to a picture-perfect location in Santana.
Madeira Island is essentially the top of a massive volcano that’s roughly four miles from its base in the Atlantic Ocean. By default, the topography of this island is ideal for hiking. With Madeira Adventure Kingdom, you can experience an easy hike to the Balcões Viewpoint (which features dramatic views of the Ribeira da Metade valley as well as the island’s Central Mountain Range) or take a Levada Walk, which guides you along an irrigation path. Perhaps you may want to experience something a bit more intense, such as a mountainside hike through the Laurisilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site; canyoning among massive water falls in Ribeira Funda; or climbing Pico do Areeiro, the third highest peak in Madeira. There’s so much to experience on Madeira Island that you will quickly realize that multiple visits will be necessary.
A Levada Walk on Madeira Island & Balcões Viewpoint
Upscale accommodations in Madeira abound, naturally, but there’s one hotel that checks all boxes from the full-service perspective. Savoy Palace is a glistening architectural gem that has quickly become a landmark. As one of the newest hotels in Madeira, Savoy Palace is classic elegance combined with modernity. From the moment you enter this five-star shrine to luxury, you’ll know that you’ve arrived in a place that is special and unlike anything you could’ve imagined while making reservations. Its rooms are cavernous retreats with bedding that is sent straight from heaven. (Pro tip: Book rooms with commanding ocean views that will further enhance your experience at Savoy Palace.) Every morning, Savoy Palace serves up an impressive breakfast that takes into consideration the needs of every diet. And after you enjoy your day of exploring Madeira, you can luxuriate in Savoy Palace’s expansive and inviting infinity pool.
Although Madeira is well positioned as a pescatarian’s paradise with an abundance of fresh seafood in the waters surrounding it, the culinary offerings of Madeira Island are quite vast and impressive, so every experience is certain to be unique. From the fine Italian dining at Villa Cipriani, to the contemporary cuisine of The Dining Room at Quinta da Casa Branca, to the five-course tasting menu curated by Selim Latrous at his “The Wanderer” private dining experience, you will find that Madeira Island can easily stand alone as just a culinary destination. Madeira wine, which is a fortified fermented wine, is a perfect finish to every dining experience on the island.
Given its proximity to continental Europe, it’s amazing that Madeira Island maintains a unique and unhurried way of life. The fact that this destination offers so much to travelers at an affordable price is astonishing. Do yourself a favor and plan a visit to Madeira Island and see for yourself (especially if you live in the Eastern US).
