Holiday on the island of Madeira: reviews of tourists

How many people have been on the island of Madeira? Reviews about the rest there are most benevolent, and tourists talk about it, as if about spending time in paradise. This archipelago, lost in the Atlantic, really reminds Eden. And the very name of it in Portuguese means "forest". The islands were discovered at the beginning of the XV century by accident: a Portuguese ship under the command of João Gonçalves Zarku fell into a storm and it was nailed to a fabulously beautiful evergreen island. The vegetation was so riotous that the Portuguese, in order to master new lands, simply set fire to the forests. The fire did not cease for 7 whole years.

Then, the truth, people have thought suddenly and have begun to correct the deed. Now Madeira - reviews on this score are unanimous - the greenest island that I've ever seen. Two-thirds of its territory is occupied by the National Reserve. From the mountain peaks cascades run down the cleanest streams, the frothy waterfalls rustle, forming bowls-lakes, and the coastal rocks and tiny islands are full of life. Sometimes wildlife gives way to cultivated botanical gardens - local people for 300 years brought various exotic plants from around the world, and now grow here mango and bananas, citrus and kiwi.

The world famous resort of the archipelago became even two hundred years ago. Members of royal families, prominent politicians and celebrities prefer a holiday on the island of Madeira. Here you can come all year round: thanks to the Gulf Stream, the current that brings water masses from equatorial latitudes, the sea off the coast is always warm. In January, the arrow of the thermometer does not drop below the +19 mark, but in summer the same Gulf Stream smoothes the heat: +26.

But the avid beachgoers who gathered on the island of Madeira, the warnings warn: no coastal sand, no pebbles on the island itself - the mountains precipitously descend into the abyss of water. All the beaches are on the nearest shred of sushi, Porto Santo, which is famous for healing sand. But in literally every hotel has a huge swimming pool - to compensate for your disappointment. And the service here is excellent: SPA-centers, water parks, sports grounds - which only do not offer 4-star, 5-star hotels. By the way, without problems you can rent private housing.

Those who are going to visit the island of Madeira for the first time, recommend to climb the highest point - Peak Ruiva, visit the seal reserve Ilyas Desertash, go on an excursion to the capital of the archipelago - the city of Funchal, but also not forget about the villages of Curral Dash-Freyash, Kamara -to-Lobusch, Santana and Santa Cruz. In Funchal, do not miss the Clara Cathedral, the embroidery museum of Burdados, and in Camara find out how the famous wine of the same name is being prepared.

Rest on Madeira will be remembered also by the fact that on this archipelago there is always something to celebrate. The festival before the Great Lent is not much inferior to the Brazilian in scope. At the end of April there is a festival of flowers, and in September - wine. Fans of active pastime will find here a huge field for wild activities: diving, snorkeling, water skiing, horseback riding, rock climbing, windsurfing, mountain biking, countless foot mountain trails.