MADEIRA

The Floating Garden

Nicknamed the Floating Garden, Madeira is Portugal’s answer to the Garden of Eden. Fuchsia bougainvillea, scarlet poinsettias and lilac jacaranda trees blanket the landscape, turning entire villages Technicolor.

Scenic coastline

The good looks aren’t limited to the island’s interior. Make your way down to Madeira’s coast and you’ll come across small rocky coves and pebbly bays. Sand is in limited supply here, but there are a couple of exceptions to the rule. You’ll find a volcanic sweep of sand in Ribeira Brava, and a man-made stretch of beach in Calheta, where the sands have been especially shipped over from Morocco.

Pretty Funchal

Madeira’s capital, Funchal, is made up of colonial buildings, basalt churches and slumbering squares. The narrow backstreets of the old town are packed with wine bars and family-run tavernas, while the marina is lined with cafés and seafood restaurants.

Canico De Baixo

Just east of Funchal is the area of Canico De Baixo, which has made a name for itself as a luxury holiday spot. The parish’s old quarter is built around an 18th-century church and a sleepy square, while the new quarter is filled with boutique hotels and cliff top villas.