Madeira

A vacationer's ideal destination, Madeira is an archipelago located 310 miles off of the African coast. It is contains two populated islands: Madeira (which means "wood") and Porto Santo (which means "holy port"), as well as the uninhabited Desert and Selvagens Islands. The islands have a very mild climate year round and are referred to as "Islands of eternal Spring".

The islands were discovered in the early 1400s by two Portuguese captains who were blown off course. The islands were completely uninhabited, so the population of Madeira is directly of Portugese descent. The islands are considered an autonomous regions of Portugal.

Early settlers set fire to much of the laurissilva forest that once covered the entire island. Now what remains, notably the forests on the northern slopes of Madeira Island, are designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Visitors travel to the Madeira Islands on cruise ships, by airplane flying into the Madeira International Airport with a short flight, or car ferry to continue on to Porto Santo Island.

Funchal, the capital city of Madeira, is situated in a large natural amphitheater, with slopes rising from sea level up to 1200 meters high. The city is named for the abundance of fennel (funcho in Portugese) growing in the area.

Both inhabited islands offer an abundance of things to see and do. Everyone can find the perfect activity: relaxing on a stunning beach, visiting museums, participating in a variety of outdoor sports, shopping in both traditional and modern markets, and enjoying Madeira's nightlife.

Not to be missed on a trip to Madeira is a hike along a levada. Used to carry water from the wetter northwest part of the island to agricultural lands in the drier southeast, the levadas are also currently used to provide hydroelectric power.

Another must on a visit to Madeira is sampling the famous Madeira wines. The four major types of Madeira (which range from dry to sweet dessert wines) are named for the type of grape used: Malvasia, Bual, Verdelho, and Sercial. These fortified wines have a reputation as one of the longest lasting wines, with bottles known to survive for over 150 years remaining in excellent condition.

Madeira is also known for its New Years Eve celebration. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Madeira's fireworks display is the largest in the world.