PORTUGAL : Madeira - Sightseeing

Its geographical position and mountainous landscape permit a very pleasing climate. Temperatures are about 22 degrees Celsius in the summer and circa 16 degrees Celsius during the winter. With its mild humidity, the weather of the Island is classified as subtropical. Influenced by the Gulf Stream , sea water temperature is 22 degrees Celsius during the summer and 16 in the winter. The islands are of volcanic origin.

An international airport provides an easy connection between the main island and the continent. On their own, the meandering roads in Madeira (stage for a highly competitive rally) are a sight to see, as one wanders amongst trees, belvederes and waterfalls. Approached by ship, Madeira offers an unforgettable sight: the mountains dropping straight onto the valleys, the dense vegetation growing on mountain terraces, split by steep cliffs and dotted with white houses. 

Madeira is also a synonym for the renowned hearty wine, which has been spreading its name and the taste of its home island worldwide.

The city of Funchal is Madeira Islands capitalNumerous examples of religious architecture: the Cathedral (15th century), with its Manueline pulpit; the churches of Carmo (17th century); Santa Maria Maior (Baroque façade, 16th-17th centuries), São Paulo (15th century), São Pedro, with its beautiful tiles (16th, 18th and 19th centuries), São Roque (18th century), Colégio, with its tiles and Baroque gilded carvings (17th century), Monte (18th century); Santa Clara Convent (15th century, and its 18th century tiles), Recolhimento do Bom Jesus (17th century). One may also visit the chapels of Santa Catarina (15th-17th-centuries), Corpo Santo (15th-17th-centuries) and Consolação (16th-19th-centuries). Special reference to the following civic architecture buildings: Paços do Concelho (18th-century), Customs Building, Palace-Fortress of São Lourenço (16th-century) and the forts of Pico and São Tiago (17th-18th-centuries). Most importante museums: Sacred Art (Flemish and Portuguese 16th-century art, gold objects and collection of statues), Quinta das Cruzes (furniture and decorative arts), Vicentes Photographia Museum (19th-century photo studio), and Frederico Freitas (dwelling-museum). You can also visit gardens (particulary the Botanical Gardens) and farms (where one can even take a tour on a typical bull cart). Also available to visit the Madeira wine lodges.

The island of Porto Santo  has what the main island lacks a sandy beach of 9 Kms. in length. There is a museum about Christopher Columbus who is said to have lived on the island after marrying the daughter of the first governor. The Ilhas Desertas ( Deserted Islands ) is now a nature reserve The killingof wildlife by the local fishermen made legal preservation of nature necessary. This  island is the only home of the black wolf spider that is deadly to humans. Most travellers find these islands so attractive and interesting that they like to return annually.