Portugal :: A Magical Adventure on the Island of Madeira

 

Madeira

The Hotel Belmond Reid’s inviting sea platform that crawls down to the Atlantic. Stunning!

 

Please welcome back Angela, my long time friend, world traveler and frequent contributor to the blog. After reading her description of the magical island of Madeira, I am ready to make my reservations and I know you will be too.

The Magical Island of Madeira

Island hopping—the perfect way to round out an amazing trip through the mainland of Portugal. The Azores or Madeira? The Azores, often described as Eden, is a nine-island archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic known for stunning landscapes, fishing villages, green pastures and somewhat rustic surroundings. Madeira Island is the largest of the Madeira archipelago and closer to the African continent than Europe.  It’s a volcanic island with a perimeter of spectacular ocean cliffs and few beaches. It’s small; 35 by 13 miles and includes a vibrant capital city, Funchal. I’m certain the Azores are amazing, but we chose Madeira. Since our visit, it was named one of “The Fifty Best Places to Travel in 2019” by Travel + Leisure. We made a wonderful choice!

Madeira
The city of Funchal, Madeira’s capital, is a mix of Portuguese bustle and charm.

 

Madeira
A view of Funchal and Madeira’s coastline where the big boats dock & visitors explore the island.

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An Empty Nester’s Special Place

Welcome back to Angela, a returning Guest Adventurer. In this post Angela shares her special place in her “Empty Nester” home where she finds joy as well as relaxation. A wonderful idea~ The special place that gives an empty nester comfort and solace; this is important. There are many ways to successfully transition into empty …

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Let’s Go To The Movies

“I see a lot of movies.  I love films as a spectator…I just love going to the movies.”  -Daniel Day-Lewis Oscar season starts in the fall; usually sometime in November when the “really good films” start to hit the theaters.  My husband, Jon, and I live for this time of year like some people live …

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Empty Nesting 101

I feel like an empty nester veteran as I comfortably settle in to my fifth year.  I have twin daughters: one who always wanted to go east, the other who was looking forward to her college years as a Bruin just like my husband and me. The summer before their senior year in high school …

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