When choosing a break in January for some warm sun we keep returning to Madeira like homing pigeons! Not only that, but we’ve now stayed at Pestana Grand Ocean Resort 4 times since 2019 and 3 times in the last 3 years!
I used to wonder why people visit and stay at same places every year. I have come to realise that while there’s excitement in discovering new places, there’s comfort in familiarity as well!
Pestana Grand Ocean Resort
The coastal location of Pestana Grand is the magnet that draws us back year after year
São Martinho Coastal Path
Lined with lush green tropical plants interspersed with Bougainvilleas in vibrant cerise and purple São Martinho Coastal Path in front of Pestana Grand is perfect for a walk any time of the day, especially at dawn and dusk
It’s exhilarating watching the sun rise from the far horizon over the ocean, gradually infusing the sky with an explosion of shades of orange with the promise of another fine day ahead
Watching the sun set was no less elating, either on the coastal path or the hotel grounds! As the golden-orange sun slowly disappearing into the ocean, who could resist taking another photo?!
Magic Tea House Garden
This garden is a hidden treasure in Madeira and it’s free! Located just across the back gate of Pestana Grand, it’s accessed via Magic Tea House – itself a lovely place to watch the world go by!
The small garden is full of exotic plants. Its elevated position commands a wonderful view of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a haven for wildlife and a relaxing place for quiet contemplation while enjoying the sun.
Monte Palace Topical Garden
We used the Bolt app to get around in Madeira. The app enabled me to choose a Bolt, taxi, van or electric car! I chose a taxi to start off the day out in Funchal that I had planned because it arrived quicker and was actually cheaper!
Our first stop of the day was Monte Palace gardens. When we visited there in 2022 we didn’t get to see all of it. This time we took our time to take in the rest.
Monte Palace Madeira Museum – the mineral collection was really fascinating!
The Ritz Madeira
After Monte Palace Gardens we took a taxi to Avenida Arriaga for lunch at The Ritz Madeira. I was curious to see how it compared with The Ritz in London.
The Ritz Madeira is one of the oldest grand cafes in Funchal across the road from the municipal gardens. It’s not as showy and opulent as The Ritz in London, but the interiors exuded similar olde worlde elegance.
Our table on the 1st floor terrace of the restaurant overlooking the square was great for people watching. The lunch menu was not exotic but the food was great and reasonably priced. It was another experience in Madeira that I’d recall fondly.
Palácio de São Lourenço
This fortress is located right next to The Ritz Madeira. On our previous visits to Madeira we had not been able to visit it because the opening times were rather restrictive – from Monday to Friday 10.00 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 17.00. It’s a museum as well as a working military and civil establishment. The entrance fee was only between €2.00 and €2.50.
The museum was interesting enough but the real draw was the chance to have a tour of the palace interiors free of charge!
We were lucky to catch the only self-guided tour of the day at 15.30. There was one other person with us on this tour. Although photography was not allowed inside the palace, we all agreed that it was a privilege to be able to see it and the grounds.
Pico do Arieiro
When we visited Pico di Arieiro with a tour in 2019 the top was shrouded in thick cloud and we only had a short stop there. When a bright blue sky beckoned to us on our third day in Madeira we decided to get a taxi to take us there.
Excitement mounted at the sight of the radar station that resembles a golf ball. It heralded the imminent arrival at the entrance to Pico do Arieiro after the long trip on a steep and winding road.
We got there around 9.30, before the coaches and crowds arrived. We had a blissful couple of hours ambling around admiring the rugged scenery interplaying with the morning light. A nice cappuccino and pastel de nata at the café rounded off a lovely leisurely morning
The return taxi trip was not cheap; it was more than the total cost of an 8-hour day trip for both of us. However it was so worth it: we didn’t fancy another long day on a coach when all we wanted was to spend some time walking around! The fact that the driver offered to wait for us there at the outset enabled us to enjoy our walk at leisure without worrying if we could get a taxi back!
Palheiro Gardens
We were there only last year but didn’t think we saw it at its best since it was a rather cloudy and cool day. We made the most of another sunny day to revisit it.
It‘s not a spectacular garden like the Botanical Gardens, and therefore not crowded.
It was a charming and relaxing place to wander round for a couple of hours enjoying the marvellous sight of magnolias and camellias in bloom in January plus a host of exotic flowers, including my favourite bird-of-paradise.
We were really blessed with the weather on this trip. We left behind 2 storms in England to enjoy a few gloriously sunny days. This time last week I was basking in the sun in Funchal; today I have on layers of clothing to keep out the winter chill of southern England.
