Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse The Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse is Portugal highest lighthouse. It is located in the western most tip of Madeira island and is most impressive. First, some trivia about the name Ponta do Pargo. Rumor says that Zarco’s son-in-law caught a huge specimen of Pargo (Red Porgy / Red Snapper Fish) while …
We have been featured! This is exciting news. We have been featured on a renowned blog by two young avid globe wanderers and photographers. They normally travel around the Canada and the Globe, but ventured to Madeira and chose to stay at Casa do Miradouro during their active travels around the island. Both Martina and …
Moutain Biking for all levels Madeira is a perfect place for mountain biking. That’s because it has trails everywhere, through the protected laurisilva forest, through rural areas and coastal villages. However, biking the mountains with its steep gradients on the plateau and at high altitude does demand fitness and strength. A challenge for the trained. …
Boaventura Boaventura is a very small village on the North of the Island. It is surrounded by Arco de São Jorge, Ponta Delgada, and São Vicente. So you may wander why we would post about Boaventura. In fact, the village stands out for its unspoiled landscape of intense green and it is no exaggeration when …
Healthy Holidays We live in an ever busier, connected, stressful and complex world and sometimes we need to find a way to re-connect with ourselves and our inner-being…. or simply, a way to switch off. A healthy holidays is no longer a luxury. From the waterfalls and levada in the Laurisilva Unesco Heritage Forest to …
Sao Jorge São Jorge is a peaceful village located on the North Coast. It has spectacular views over mountains and sea. Sao Jorge offers plenty of the Laurissilva forest which Madeira is famous for. It also sits on very fertile land, producing sugar cane, Malvasia wine, and many other products. São Jorge was founded in …
Whales While many visitors prefer to witness sea mammals in their natural habitat, this Whale Museum describes Madeira’s whaling history. Interestingly, whales contribute to Madeira’s economy. However, the relationship changed. First, Madeirans killed whales to earn a living (luckily not as a sport) and now they protect them. Doing so, Madeirans developed a new business; …
Madeira Archipelago Situated in the Atlantic, Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago. Madeira and the Azores are two distinct autonomous regions of Portugal since 1976. The archipelago is closer to Africa than it is to Europe. Is is only 280 nautical miles from the African coast. Madeira archipelago includes: Madeira island, Porto Santo island, the Desertas …
Rocha do Navio Rocha do Navio means “Ship Rock” and it is one of four major natural reserves on Madeira. The Nature Reserve called Rocha do Navio is in the parish of Santana on the Madeira’s north coast. It got its name – Ship Rock – for two reasons. First, a Dutch ship sunk in …
Monk Seal – Sea Mammals Madeira is famous for its cetacean watching possibilities. Several companies organize trips to view them up close. However, Madeira waters are also home to another species of sea mammals, namely the Monk Seal (Monachus monachus). Unfortunately, this species is in critical danger of extinction. With less than 600 individuals throughout …
Madeira Table Wines The Archipelago of Madeira is well known and famous for its Madeira Wine. Madeira wine is a fortified wine and you can read our posts about its history, its fame and about the various types. However, this post talks about “regular” table wines from Madeira Island. The regular, non-fortified wines are much …
