 | MadeiraIf you can tear yourself away from the delights of the lido at the hotel, Madeira’s seas and mountains offer something for everyone. Apart from the famed walking along ancient footpaths through grandiose mountains and deep ravines, there is water-skiing, surfing, wind-surfing, snorkelling, scuba-diving, sailing and deep-sea fishing available - and of course, golf.
 If you are desperate to feel sand between your toes, then we recommend that you hop on a plane (15 mins.) or take the 2 hour 30 minute trip to offshore Porto Santo island and its 8 km. blaze of golden sands. Relax on the beach or enjoy the natural beauty as you soar on the thermals and paraglide from the cliffs.
In Funchal itself, a must-see is the 1493 white towered Gothic Sé Cathedral with its impressive cedar ceilings inlaid with ivory. And if it’s a Friday, you could visit the art-deco Farmers’ Market and marvel at the abundance of fruits, vegetables and fish on display (a great photo opportunity by the way). Just 4 Km. away at the village of Monte is the Botanical Gardens with a collection of prehistoric ferns and beautiful flowers and a magnificent, panoramic view over the town. Travelling back down to Funchal by wicker-basket is touristy, but fun.
Funchal’s lengthy esplanade is made for sunset strolling - especially if you make a stop for an aperitif at the Beatle’s former yacht which is moored in the marina - before stopping for a meal in one of the seafood restaurants just off the main street. Afterwards, if you feel like trying your luck, head for the Casino - open till 3 a.m.
Day long tours are tiring due to the mountainous terrain and we would recommend asking the concierge to arrange car hire with a good driver and guide. Two or three day trips at relaxing speeds will be sufficient to see most of what the Island has to offer, among the most spectacular being: Cabo Girao, one of the world’s highest sea cliffs with a nearly 2000 foot virtiginous drop to the Atlantic: Camacha, on a flat mountain with a wickerware shop as big as a hypermarket and wonderful views: Pico de Arieiro, the third highest mountain in Madeira (5,939 feet) for a day of jaw-dropping views (pack a sweater and scarf, it is always cold up here and often raining), and the Valley of the Nuns. Your drive will take in a number of Madeira’s picturesue villages like Santana with the traditional A-framed thatched houses and Camara de Lobos, a working fishing village with houses painted in vivid primary colours, where Churchill painted many of his seascapes.
 On your day trips you will sample some of Madeira’s best food, like Espetado, chunks of beef rolled in chopped garlic, sea salt and crushed bay leaves, skewered on the fresh green wood of a bay tree and grilled over the embers of a fire made from vine prunings. Some hotels offer this, but believe me, you’ve got to taste it in the mountains to know it. On the road to Valley of the Nuns is Restaurant Parada dos Eucaliptos and we can recommend the espetado here, cooked on an outside fire. As you’re not driving, have a Puncha with it!
If you hanker after more strenuous travel, then horse-riding in the mountains is available (excellent horses, but again, get the concierge to arrange this for you).
To sum up, the range of facilities on offer in Madeira are excellent. The food is not in the gourmet class but it is good - especially if you eat in the country inns. If staying during the run up to Christmas, you will be able to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and decorations that pervade much of this island.
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