In Madeira you can find several worlds at one place, despite its seemingly small area. Beautiful green mountain, partly similar to South America. The seaside towns offer breathtaking views of the wide blue ocean. Madeira has unlimited number of natural resources. In the wild nature you can see orchids, Strelicies and other exotic flowers. The flowers can be seen at each step in Madeira and their beauty and fragrance caress the soul of every man.

Irrigation canals are built around the whole island (in total length of 2000 km), along which you can easy walk and hike the island.

For the lovers of nature and mountains Madeira is an ideal place for active recreation. Of course, for the lovers of bathing it is a land of rest, but do not try to find the extensive beaches.

Best travel tips in Madeira – Interesting tips for travel around Madeira, that you should not miss.

Porto Santo
Madeira consists of two main islands, Madeira and Porto Santo but also includes the Desertas and the Savage Islands. In Porto Santo you can find beautiful long beach with golden sand, so this could be a paradise for swimmers.

The city of Funchal
Do not miss the capital city of Madeira – Funchal. Beautiful historic center, picturesque streets, Funchal’s bay and Botanical Gardens definitely worth seeing.

Mountains and inland
Inland of Madeira will enchant you with its magnificent mountain peaks, rising from the ocean to the heavens. The highest peak is Paul da Serra located in region of Santana. Its elevation is 1,862 meters above the sea level.

Festivals and celebrations in Madeira

Madeira held four distinct and major festivals.

Carnival
Carnival takes place in late February. Streets change to the rhythm of Brazilian samba for four days and four nights. Masks, music, dance and happy mood are everywhere in the city streets.

Flower Festival
Flower Festival is held in late April or early May (two weeks after Easter). The whole city of Funchal is decorated with flowers. On Saturday children’s parade takes place when each child bears a flower and put it into the hole in the “Wall of Hope” on the square Praça do Município.

Wine Festival
Wine festival is held in early September in honor of the grape harvest in several villages.

New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve, like in other countries is to celebrate the end of the year. It belongs to the largest ones. If you want to see an amazing fireworks just over the ocean, do not wait and book your hotel in advance.

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Photo by admin – that’s me and my wife in Vulcano island : – )

It is not a secret that the Aeolian Islands are called the pearls of the Mediterranean. Surely you enchant their unique atmosphere, clear sea, white houses contrasting with the black volcanic beaches and agile life regardless of the presence of volcanoes. In the fertile areas off the coast of Sicily you admire growing vines, olive and fig trees in the wild mountainous inland countryside and smoking a volcano Mount Etna. In deep valleys you can see a beautiful cities with many ancient and Norman sites.

Due to its climate, beautiful landscape, exotic wildlife and beautiful coastline are Aeolian Islands looking forward a growing interest of tourists. They are suitable for lovers of nature and hiking, as well as for a sun worshippers and swimmers. Clean seawater and rugged coastline make these islands a paradise for divers and water sports operators.

Photo by admin

Geographical location of the Aeolian islands guarantees a subtropical climate. Average temperatures are acceptable due to fresh winds that pleasantly cool hot air from the sea and bring soothing moisture. In summer the temperature reaches around 35 °C, annual average temperature is 14 – 16 °C. An important climatic factor is the distribution of annual precipitation. Rainy seasons are mainly autumn and winter. Rain is usually rare in summer, it is usual that six months are totally without rain.

You can get to Lipari by a ferry from Sicily (a town Milazzo), where you can be transferred with your car. It is possible to move between islands by fast ships Aliscafo. The most popular type of accommodation on the Aeolian Islands are bungalows or apartments.

Aeolian islands offer really a lot. Certainly you should not miss the greatest attraction of the islands – a trip to the active volcano Stromboli. In 2000, the Aeolian Islands were included in the list of UNESCO’s cultural and natural heritage sites.

Photo by admin – Vulcano island

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