MADEIRA - ISLAND OF CONTRASTS

Madeira holidays are usually a surprise to the first time visitor. This is not a brown dry featureless place, it's a lush green, island of high mountains and deep valleys crying out to be explored (never go anywhere without your camera). In Madeira you will find whitewashed stone houses clinging to steep terraced hillsides where an amazing variety of fruits and flowers are grown.

CLIFFS AND VILLAGES

Along the coast of Madeira you will find traditional fishing villages like Câmara de Lobos where catches are brought in daily and sold through local markets and fish shops and in contrast just along from here are the Cabo Girão, at 2000 feet the second highest cliffs in the world where a stout iron railing allows you to lean over and see the stunning views. Watching birds flying below you instead of above is a fascinating experience!

LEVADA WALKS

The Levadas are unique to Madeira and were started in the 15th century as a way of bringing water from the mountains to the lowlands for agriculture. The irrigation channels run through valleys and tunnels, along cliff edges and mountain sides in gentle gradients which make them not only perfect for walking but also gives the walker an amazing variety of scenery. Because the Lavadas are maintained the walking surface is usually good (though in some places it's best not to look over the edge!) and Levada walking has become a Madeira holiday attraction in itself. There are many guided Levada walks and tours that run all year long and they are advertised at local tourist information offices and agencies. Going it alone is not a problem as there are also local maps for sale in the shops.

DRIVING IN MADEIRA

If you don't wish to spend your holidays walking round the island or using public transport but still want to get out and about and do your own thing then Madeira car hire is the best answer. Don't be put off driving here, surfaces are good and although some of the roads are steep and winding they are often the ones that reward you with incredible views when you reach the top. The roads over the top of Madeira will sometimes give wonderful photographs as clouds swirl below you with trees and mountain peaks appearing above them. One thing you must do is give yourself plenty of time. Few roads run as the crow flies in Madeira and in some places you will never get into 4th gear let alone 5th! Add to that stopping at every corner or hilltop to take another photograph and the day will be gone before you realise it. Although the Island of Madeira is only 30 miles long and it's possible to drive round in a day you will enjoy it far more splitting it into 2 or 3 trips, after all 2011 Madeira holidays are about relaxing!

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