Madeira + Adventure
Funchal, hotels Madeira Regency Palace 5 stars and Madeira Regency Club 4 stars
Adventure first. We fly quite a lot, and recently my wife began to express her fear that since everything has so far gone without any incidents (apart from last year’s charter delay), then something terrible must happen soon - the suitcase will be lost or the flight will be late and we will be stuck somewhere. Well, that's all it happened, and with a vengeance.
Air tickets were purchased through the TAP Portugal website with credit card payment. Flight Moscow-Funchal-Moscow with transfers there in Zurich and Lisbon, back - in Lisbon and Munich. Moscow-Zurich was supposed to be carried out by Swiss, Munich-Moscow - by Lufthansa, the rest - by TAP Portugal. Curiously, this option was only available on the TAP Portugal website. Even at their office in Moscow, these tickets were not available for some reason. Lufthansa did not have it on the website at all, while the Swiss had it, but it was not for sale - the Portuguese did not give them prices for their part of the flight.
Flights were selected based on two considerations: the time of arrival in Funchal (15:55) and departure from it (16:40), and, of course, prices. In general, charters also fly to Funchal. But they are on Sundays, and we needed Monday. In addition, tickets were taken half a year in advance, when charters were an abstraction.
Adventures began already upon departure from Domodedovo. The baggage handler thumped the plane. Although later the captain privately stated that there were only a couple of nonsense scratches on the skin, the flight was delayed by 3.5 hours (just the time of the flight to Zurich) - Swiss engineers in Zurich determined the severity of the accident from a photograph. Particularly nervous passengers unloaded, deciding to get to Europe on their own and then demand compensation. Finally, they took off.
On the Zurich-Lisbon flight, given that only 45 minutes were allotted for the transfer. , we, of course, were late (we were also late to Lisbon-Funchal - there is a transfer of 55 minutes).
Actually, not only we were late, but almost everyone - Zurich is a transit hub. The Swiss took this into account and announced in advance on the plane that other flight options would be offered - you need to go to the transfer desk upon arrival in Zurich. Behind this counter, the Swiss aunt, with our participation, picked up an acceptable option: Zurich-Porto-Funchal. Even at this counter they gave me a piece of paper for 5 Swiss francs. francs, which could be paid in a cafe. Enough for just one muffin and a bottle of water. As a result, we arrived in Madeira at 20:35. Not as early as planned, but not at night, like most flights from Moscow - there was time at least for a late dinner.
The suitcase, however, in Funchal, contrary to the oath assurances of the Swiss, did not fly with us. In the arrivals hall, they announced on the speakerphone, they say, passenger such and such, go to the baggage counter. In general, the suitcase got stuck in Zurich.
The Portuguese wrote down its description, the name of the hotel and promised to deliver it directly to the hotel, but at best in a day. As compensation, they gave out a special package with various necessary things - toothpaste, a comb, a razor, all sorts of creams / lotions, a nightie, etc. Two days later, the suitcase was really brought directly to the room.
The adventure didn't end there. The flight back was even more amazing! The flight from Funchal to Lisbon was delayed by two hours - the plane from Lisbon did not arrive on time. In general, all flights operated by Portuguese airlines were delayed to one degree or another. Then the captain explained it as a computer glitch. Since only 55 minutes were allotted for a transfer in Lisbon. , now we are late to Munich.
Upon arrival, the Portuguese did not find stationary transfer counters like the Swiss ones, but they put up several posters with the names of cities, to whom where.
Moscow, however, was not there. We approached the poster with Munich. Personalized boarding passes were handed out there - the Portuguese themselves decided who how to fly further. We were not given new tickets, but simply stuffed into a bus with a group of Germans / Italians and sent to the hotel to spend the night. Probably, it was necessary to quarrel and demand new tickets, but we didn’t have such an experience yet - maybe they’ll be handed over at the hotel through the porter ...Most likely, the Portuguese just screwed up - either they forgot about us, such exotic passengers, or mixed up something .
Actually, in Munich we had to sit all night until seven o'clock. So staying overnight at the hotel turned out to be handy. At the expense of the airline, of course. Hotel "Metropolitan" 4 stars. Settled on old tickets. At the reception they gave out phone cards - like, call home.
On the hotel card (in which TAP Portugal was indicated instead of the surname), we had a great dinner (buffet) in the restaurant, and the next morning we had breakfast. In principle, it was possible to stay in the hotel all the next day (or take a walk around the city), but we decided that it was better to go to the airport and sort it out on the spot. The taxi to the airport was paid by the receptionist (at the expense of the airline).
At the airport, lost passengers are handled by the lost suitcase service, Groundforce. They were surprised: why didn’t you fly to Frankfurt in the morning at 8:40 (and further to Moscow)? But they were not at all indignant - apparently, it was quite a common thing. They thought for a long time, finally, they issued tickets to Moscow via Zurich, two more phone cards and two pieces of paper for 6 euros each to pay for the cafe. The papers were enough for a couple of buns, four bottles of water and a couple of cups of tea. Calling cards turned out to be just as stupid as domestic ones - either busy, or failure.
They said about the luggage that due to all the upheavals it was lost for the time being, but it would be delivered to Moscow later.
Suitcases (we bought another suitcase in Madeira, so now we were already carrying two) to Domodedovo, as expected, did not arrive with us. The local baggage claim service accepted the application and recommended calling. But two days later the suitcases were brought directly to the house. For free.
In general, now we know what to do and what to expect if you miss your plane or lose your suitcase. It's not scary. At least in Europe. Yes, the flight from Lisbon to Zurich was also delayed by an hour.
Now about hotels. We booked through the studio system at Madeira Regency Palace 5 stars and Madeira Regency Club 4 stars. Both hotels are in Funchal. Only the first in the tourist suburb - to Funchal itself 40 minutes. walk, and the second on the outskirts near the port.
"Madeira Regency Palace" somehow does not pull 5 stars - there are no bathrobes and slippers, if there is a kitchen, dish detergents are not expected, they sweep poorly, the set of dishes is somehow greatly truncated against the generally accepted and even posted list of what is in it must be included, the shower handle does not structurally fit with the bracket, so the shower must be held in your hands all the time. But towels were changed every day, soap / gels / shampoos were added as needed, bed linen was changed once (that is, cleanliness - for half a week). The key to the room is magnetic - it also opens the safe, and you can use it to call the elevator that descends to the shore. Dryer not included. There don't seem to be any dryers anywhere, not just in this hotel. However, everything dries perfectly on balcony chairs.
The territory is green. Two outdoor pools with water of different temperatures. A working indoor pool with a separate jacuzzi (there was always someone splashing).
Several very decent playgrounds. Individual fitness trainers; massage, etc. A decent entertainment program - a pianist, singers, folklore ensemble.
I can’t say anything about food - I didn’t use it.
The contingent is a third of the Portuguese, a third of the British, a third of the Russians. Caught Italians (or Spaniards) and Poles. There are no guest workers among the staff.
The hotel itself is on a cliff. You can go down (and up) to the beach area by the elevator using the room key. From the elevator to the beach (this is Formosa, the largest beach in Madeira) 50 meters. But it’s difficult to swim on it - huge boulders that hit your feet or can be beaten when the wave is on. With us, the uncle, with a generally insignificant excitement, bruised his legs and side in the blood - he barely got out. But the water is warm - 22-23 ° C. To relatively acceptable beach places, you need to walk towards Camara de Lobos for about 20 minutes. There is already sand there. There is also a very decent beach fish restaurant.
There is a private bus to Funchal (you need to register at the reception).
At 7 min. walk towards Funchal one of the largest shopping centers - "Forum". There is a very decent restaurant of local cuisine, working, importantly, until late.
For a relaxing holiday, the hotel is very well located: a shopping center (and a supermarket) nearby, quiet. You can walk along a convenient and picturesque promenade to Camara de Lobos (45 min. ), although you need to walk 10 minutes to the promenade itself. The only drawback is the very noisy external unit of the air conditioning system. It is located down on the west side and buzzes so much that it drowns out the TV, so you can’t sleep with an open balcony.
Taxi from the airport - 38 euros (half an hour drive).
"Madeira Regency Club" consists of two buildings - a large tower and a small 4-storey house across the road (19 studios on 3 floors and a restaurant on the ground floor that functions as both a general hotel and a beach one). This small building is only visible from the sea.
Near the road, its roof is at the level of a high parapet. The buildings are connected by a footbridge thrown across the road. From the side of the sea in front of the small building there is a swimming pool (I must say, not very large for such a hotel) and a descent into the sea - concrete steps into a closed bay. In general, such a cove is very convenient.
The hotel deserves its 4 stars. True, the key to the safe for a fee, there were no gels / shampoos at all, as well as detergents for dishes. Soap was put only one at the very beginning and no more was added. Porter for luggage is not provided. Linen was changed twice (that is, cleanliness - for a third of the week). It is not at all clear how towels are changed - it seems that only on demand. There are no dryers.
Air conditioning does not pump a large studio (2/4) - it only becomes stuffy during the night. But in a small building you can sleep with an open balcony - it's cool and the sound of the ocean lulls you to sleep. Neither the port nor the road is completely inaudible.
The set of excursions is the same everywhere, however, the prices are different. They took from El Tour (I wrote down the local phone number from the site and just called them upon arrival) two - in the eastern and western parts of the island - 45 euros from the nose without lunch (or 55 with lunch). English-language versions at local tour desks cost 30 euros with lunch. Impressions are very dependent on the weather: if there is fog and rain in the mountains, then half of the views are lost. Some advertised places (for example, Kamasha or Santana) turned out to be of little interest. In general, despite the obviously higher cost, it is advisable not to take group excursions, but individual ones - there are private guides on the Internet. It's worth it.
From Funchal, you can reach Camara de Lobos (about an hour and a half walk) and Monte Palace Tropical Park (by cable car for 10 euros there or 15 round trip + 10 euros for entrance to the park). Both places deserve attention.
Monte Park is noticeably cooler, so you can leave it on the day of departure if you have nowhere to go for half a day. Two and a half - three hours is enough to explore the entire Monte.
The largest selection of local souvenir fennec fennecs at the lowest price is in Funchal at the Story Center (there is both a museum and a shop), located opposite the cable car station, and in Porto Moniz. From Madeira, of course, you need to bring Madeira first of all. Sold everywhere and at different prices, differing at times. Madeira is distinguished by sweetness / dryness, each degree of which corresponds to its own grape variety: in order of increasing “dryness” - malmsi (malvasia), bual, verdelho and sercial. I recommend malmsy and sercial. For the right Madeira, the grape variety should be indicated on the label, but now small producers drive all options from one variety. The price depends on the manufacturer and exposure, dryness / sweetness - no. The lowest price is 0.
75 liters of 5-year-old Blandy's (perhaps the most popular brand) - in the Sã and Pingo doce supermarkets (10.49 and 11.10 euros, respectively), 10-year-old - in special wine shops - 19.85 euros.
In general, Madeira makes a very pleasant impression. The island is extremely diverse. There are no historical sights, but incredibly picturesque nature. And contrary to popular belief that Madeira is not suitable for swimming, we can say that it is very suitable! Only not from the beach, but from the concrete platform of the hotel.
