Madeira - see, remember... come back.
Madeira is the island of eternal spring. I remember the words of one of my friends about the rest in this place: “This island was created for those who work hard all year and want to spend their holidays in silence, tranquility, with a measured and unhurried daily schedule. ” To be honest, I dreamed of a trip for 2-3 years and really wanted to check the words of a friend. We flew for the first time when there was no charter program from Kyiv yet (it has been flying only for the last 2 years), we took UIA tickets with the route Kyiv-Lisbon-Funchal (Madeira)-Lisbon-Kyiv with a stop in Lisbon on the way there. I won’t write how much the ticket cost, alas, there are no such prices now, but on average now it is 870 dollars (+ -) in both directions per person. In total, the flight takes about 7 hours (5 to Lisbon + about 2 from Lisbon to Funchal). In Lisbon, we stayed at the Mundial 4 * hotel - a good standard 4 *, no frills, with standard rooms (both in size and decoration), located right in the city center.
I want to note that the cost of a taxi is cheap, getting from the ap to the center is about 10-15 euros per car (depending on which road they take, be sure to ask for a check, otherwise you can earn a little more than you drove). Having breakfast in the morning and leaving all things at the reception (they have a special room where guests can leave their suitcases if you have a flight, for example, a little later than check out from the hotel), we took a taxi and drove to the Belem area, the side of the Museum of Modern Art , the Museum of Archeology, the Maritime Museum, the Tower of Belem (Torre Belem) and the famous Monastery of the Hieronymites (Mosteiro dos Jeronimos) admission until 12 is free (it was built in an unusual Manueline style in honor of the opening of the Vasco de Gamma of India). We walked a little along the embankment, took a breath of air, looked at the bridge on April 25, under which giant cruise liners unfolded in an incredible way and returned to the center, where we walked a little through the shops, old streets and walked around the observation decks.
If you have a little more time, alas, the first time we didn’t get to the other part of the city, I highly recommend looking at the brand new futuristic Lisbon that was being built for EXPO 98 and visit the aquarium (ticket about 6 euros) or the Vasco shopping center da Gama, you will see the 16-kilometer bridge of the same name across the Tagus. Here, after the historic Lisbon, you will see a completely different landscape: open spaces, stylish buildings, a stunning bridge, a cable car that overlooks the surroundings. The flight to Madeira was made by the TAP airline (the departure was about 10 p. m. ), you can choose another time, because there are 5 of these flights a day, or save a little and fly on Low Cost Easy Jet (English) - this is already the second experience trips.
Arriving at night on the island, the first thing that surprised us was how quickly the plane slowed down on the runway, already during our trips around the island we learned that the island has one of the shortest runways in Europe, so takeoff and landing take place very quickly, and the strips stand on piles, like a bridge, I saw this for the first time (I attach a photo). Regarding the question of how to get to the hotel: most hotels are located in Funchal, the capital of the island, there are several ways to do this: a taxi will cost about 40 euros per car one way (depending on the time of arrival, alas, no one canceled the extra charge for night time), if you arrive between 8 am and 7 pm (+- you can look at the schedule on the airport website), the AeroBus bus runs, which costs 5 euros per person.
It delivers to hotels, the only thing is that it will take a little more time, since you will call in both the city and most hotels, and if you take a taxi, you will be taken along the autobahn that goes on top of the capital. Rent a car - it will cost about 30 euros per day, it all depends on the rental company, car, number of days. In our case, we went from Ap- to the hotel by taxi, but from the hotel we drove in a rented car, which, in fact, was left in the airport parking lot. Regarding where to take a car in the ap or in the city, it will be cheaper in the city - there you can and agree, for example, to pay in cash, but a little more expensive and there are more companies. We rested on June 10-20 at the Pestana Bay Ocean Aparthotel 4 *, we chose this hotel for its location - it is on the 1st line (large pebble beach), rooms with a kitchenette and almost all with a frontal view of the ocean, took breakfast (now I know that the hotel offers all inclusive, for me a big minus, because.
infrastructure and territory (small) is not provided for 100% pastime at the hotel, in addition, the price is not interesting). Near the hotel there is an embankment that leads to a small grotto, which you pass to get into the infrastructure of the city (restaurants and shops), you can of course climb the highway, but make a circle and you will have to go a little further (the hotel is located away from the center - about 5 km). A free shuttle runs from the hotel on schedule, or you can use municipal buses for 1 euro for a one-way ticket. Regarding the room - standard, spacious, with a fantastic view of the ocean, a good bed (this is important for us, since we are not 1.50 tall and do not like legs hanging from the bed))) ...the only thing that bothered our friends, out of habit, the sound of the ocean and the rumble of pebbles, the hotel is very close to the water.
The second time we rested in October 10-20 at the Orca Praia 3 * hotel, it is a little further than Pestana Bay 4 *, but the hotel is good value for money, food from 4 * practically did not differ in breakfast ...breathtaking views of the ocean (the hotel cascades "hanging" on the rocks), a huge swimming pool near an unequipped beach (black sand), good rooms. Of the minuses of the hotel - very far from the infrastructure (there is also a bus to the center, or take a car) and a very steep descent-ascent to the pool (not for the elderly).
In principle, all hotels, if you walk along the ocean, are next to each other on the first and second lines. All standard, corps, some with good, beautiful territory, with their own equipped slopes into the ocean. There are almost no sandy beaches on the island, more often pebbles (except for a few small artificially-filled strips and one Praia de Machico beach), most of them are equipped baths, pontoons, ladders to the ocean.
We really liked the baths in Porto Moniz (in the northeast of the island) - the entrance is about 1.5 euros per person (the waves go directly into the pools, which are cemented among volcanic rocks and boulders). Regarding what to see and how to spend time: I’ll make a reservation right away, we didn’t take excursions on the spot, but went ourselves. Most of the island's attractions are associated with nature, landscapes, reliefs, views. It was created for eco-tourism - you will be offered a lot of hiking and cycling routes, boat trips, diving tours. From what we have seen and recommend to see, this is Pico de Areiro (1800 m above sea level, dress warmly and leave early to stand above the clouds), Ponta Delgada, Santana with typical Portuguese houses ("Parque thematico da Madeira" (Parque Temá tico da Madeira)+ has the Teleferico da Faja da Rocha do Navio cable car, which offers amazing views of the ocean and the island.
), Canical, in the capital Jardin Botanico - with a funicular it will cost about 40 euros for 2x (I note that there are several gardens in the capital and each has a separate funicular, so if you decide to go to everything, spend a little. In the Monte area, located on the hills above Funchal , there are two funiculars, one is called Teleferico do Funchal, it leaves from the center of Funchal, the other is Teleferico do Jardim Botanico, it carries passengers from the Botanical Garden to the hills of Monte. ), there is also a municipal park Santa near the port Catarina (Parque de Santa Catarina), where you can walk calmly and for free. About myself, I called the island - THE ISLAND OF TUNNELS, I have never seen such a number anywhere, the longest in my opinion was 3 km. What was left for the next time is the island of Porto Santo, with 9 km of beach and golden sand (a ferry sails there from the capital).
In conclusion: Beautiful nature from coniferous foxes to exotic plants ...for the first time I saw how scarlet blooms and how purple clusters of hydrangeas hang on the rocks, the strength and power of the Atlantic, breathtaking views, touching towns with white houses and tiled roofs, mild climate (no suffocating heat, even in the summer months), the purest air, calm rhythm, friendly and open locals, delicious cooking, pleasant service…. . REST SUCCESSFUL! I recommend it for lovers of quality, calm, quiet and impressive vacation. (Better even in autumn than early summer, because the ocean warms up during the season) P. s. not quite for children's recreation and not quite for young people (although, we are all different and everyone has their own requirements for rest, I'm sure everyone will find their own zest in this place. )
