by Nava and Michael Raviv

For many years, Madeira, a small Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, has been Europe’s best kept travel secret. Finally, the secret is out, as SATA Azores Airlines has launched direct flights from JFK to Funchal. Book your flights now to enjoy its balmy weather, spectacular mountains, rugged beaches, and postcard vistas of lush forests and blue seas. For soon this stunning subtropical destination will be on your fellow North American travelers’ bucket lists.

Located about 750 miles from Lisbon, Madeira is highly regarded for its namesake wine, the sweet, “fortified” ruby red libation — once a favorite of America’s founding fathers. But today the island offers so much more; It is the perfect destination, offering a vibrant dining scene, breathtaking outdoor activities, and accommodations for every budget.

WHAT TO DO IN MADEIRA ISLAND

Sightseeing by Car

Every site in Madeira is easily accessible as the island is crisscrossed by an extensive network of modern highways, bridges, and long tunnels. Madeira’s most scenic drives, however, are along the narrow and sinuous old roads that hug the rocky peaks, offering stunning views at almost every turn, and passing by agricultural terraces, ancient forests, and flowering fields. These roads are better left to local drivers, some with 4×4 vehicles, who can safely navigate the hairpin turns and steep inclines while you enjoy the dazzling scenery.

The island is only 300 square miles in size but has several microclimates. In some regions, you can be surrounded by majestic woodlands and lush vegetation, and in other parts, you find yourself in an arid landscape, overlooking a relentless surf that pummels the craggy shoreline.

Depending on the route, you can experience four seasons in one day, ranging from drizzle and billowing fog at higher elevations to sunlit, blue skies at sea level.

Hiking and Walking

The island offers miles of marked walking and hiking trails. Unless you are an experienced outdoors person, it is recommended to hire a local guide who will lead you through the trail system and help you handle the terrain and various weather changes on the higher peaks. Some of the most picturesque trails run along “levadas,” man-made irrigation canals that carry water from mountain top springs to the lower terraces. The island is also home to a primordial Laurel Forest (bay leaf trees), a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Don’t miss the enchanting Fanal area, a forest of twisted old trees that conjures up images from mystical fairy tales.

Beaches and Waterfront Activities

Madeira is a volcanic island with a basalt coastline that’s mostly rugged, except for several black sand beaches and a couple of man-made yellow sand beaches. There are, however, a few bathing areas with natural, carved-in-the-rock swimming and wading pools such as the ones in Porto Moniz.

The island is also home to surfing beaches for amateurs, along with challenging waters where professional surfers test their mettle against gigantic waves and rocky outcrops.

Additional waterfront activities include scuba diving, deep sea fishing, and dolphin and whale watching excursions.

Funchal’s Cable Car and Monte Palace

Funchal is the capital of Madeira where about half of the island’s 265,000 residents live. The best way to view the city is by taking the cable car to Monte and seeing the town stretching along the bay — a giant amphitheater of red-tiled-roof houses clinging precariously to the hillside. At the top, explore the Monte Palace tropical gardens, home to an extensive collection of exotic flora from all over the world including rare plants, 1,000-year-old olive trees and more. In the gardens’ galleries you’ll also find African stone sculptures, minerals, and precious stones. A rare collection of decorative tiles dating back to the 16^th century adorn the garden’s walls.

Wine Tastings

The fortified red wines of Madeira are the island’s calling card, but recently, vintners started creating table wines, now for local consumption, but soon for worldwide export. You can visit and enjoy a tasting at a traditional Madeira wine producer, such as the H.M. Borges (founded in 1877), where you will learn about the wine making process, blending, and aging. You can also tour a newer vineyard, such as Quinta do Barbusano, and see the many grape varieties on the island, while enjoying scenic views of terraced hills and picturesque villages. A wine tasting and barbecue lunch usually follow the tour.

WHERE TO STAY IN MADEIRA ISLAND

The island offers a wide range of accommodations such as five-star hotels, manor houses (quintas), intimate inns, and nature hotels.

Savoy Palace Hotel in Funchal

Savoy Palace is the only hotel in Madeira that belongs to the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World group. The five-star property faces the harbor and ocean on one side, and the city of Funchal on the other. It is architecturally stunning with a soaring atrium anchored by a majestic chandelier, and an elegant rooftop lounge next to an infinity pool with 360° views of the city and beyond. Rooms are spacious and luxurious, with floor to ceiling windows, white marble baths, and all amenities. The hotel also offers a state-of-the-art spa, fitness studio, and several pools and restaurants.  For the ultimate enjoyment, book the “Premium Experience” package that includes perks such as private check in, exclusive access to Jacaranda Lounge and much more.

Socalco Nature Hotel in Calheta

Socalco means terrace in Portuguese, as the hotel was built on terraces clinging to the mountainside, its guestrooms overlooking the ocean or mountain terraces. Some rooms are equipped with a small kitchenette with microwave, electric cooktop, and fridge. Breakfast is included and features cheeses, eggs made to order, cold cuts, granola, yogurt, and fruit, along with freshly baked bread, homemade butter, jams, and cakes.

The hotel also offers multicourse dinners daily with or without wine pairing. We enjoyed such a 5-course delicious dinner that included coconut milk soup with shrimp, tuna tataki in sesame seeds, red snapper, and melt in your mouth duck breast.

The hotel was founded by Octavio Freitas, a prominent Portuguese chef who created it for guests who want to experience living in a natural environment. The property also has agricultural terraces where they grow herbs and vegetables for their kitchen, and a small vineyard for their own signature wine, Galatrixa.

Of course, you can always check on booking.com.

THE DINING SCENE IN MADEIRA ISLAND

Madeira offers many restaurants — from casual fare, such as Maktub Pub in Paul do Mar featuring the freshest seafood — to fine dining, such as the multi-course dinner served at Quinta da Casa Branca, an English manor reminiscent of Downton Abbey.

The island’s typical food is locally sourced seafood such as black scabbard fish, fresh tuna, limpets, and octopus, as well as beef grilled on Laurel wood skewers. Also make sure to try their signature cocktail, Poncha, a potent mix of sugarcane-brandy, honey, and lemon.

So now, with a direct SATA Azores flight from the U.S., you can easily experience Madeira, the island of eternal spring. Better get going. Your friends will be there soon.