by Janet Sandford

Created on: July 16, 2009

Madeira is an archipelago in the centre of the Atlantic Ocean and is the tip of an enormous mountain range, rising up from 4,000 metres beneath th sea. The total land area of the island is approximately 796 sq km with the geographical characteristics of each island quite distinct from one another.

The image of Madeira is one of eternal sunshine but this is misleading as it actually rains a lot. There are various micro climates throughout the island. A semi-dry wind climate takes place on the southern coast. Funchal is the best base for sunshine and the humidity here is bearable. Other places on the island the humidity is about 80%. The only problem with Funchal is the pollution from the traffic. The rainy season is during September and October, March and April. If you get caught in one of these downpours you will be drenched but fortunately the showers are quick and soon over with.

Madeira is the main island and the language spoken is Portuguese; most people visiting Madeira will arrive in the capital, Funchal. Because of its deep, sheltered harbour, Funchal has become very popular with cruise ships and most of its visitors will head in the direction of the 'Hotel Zone' which is situated along the very long Estrada Monumental on the western hills and cliffs. The 'Hotel Zone' nowadays is a very smart and trendy area.

From here it is thirty minutes on foot to the centre of town, through sub tropical gardens, past Baroque and 1930s style mansions, and along a wide seafront promenade to the Zona Velha. The cobbled old quarter is being rapidly pedestrianised and cleaned up.

Its Mercado dos Lavradores sells a stunning array of fish, meat, vegetales, fruit and flowers. Along the seafront going east is the base station for the new cable car.

It takes ten minutes for the cable car to whisk you up to Monte, where church towers, standing like proud statues, painted grey and white, are a dominant landmark on the hillside above Funchal town. The railway that used to transport people on this route has fallen from favour due to a terrible accident in 1919. The views from this point are quite something; cafes, restaurants, stylish houses and gardens. A new section of cable car has been built and this connects to the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. You can take a walk along the levadas then return to Funchal by cable car or take the famous toboggan ride.

Leaving Funchal behind and taking a route west along the coast you will come across Camara de Lobos. This is a pretty

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