{"id":141579,"date":"2023-11-26T09:08:15","date_gmt":"2023-11-26T09:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magdelaine.net\/?p=141579"},"modified":"2023-11-26T09:08:15","modified_gmt":"2023-11-26T09:08:15","slug":"the-stunning-european-island-with-fabulous-wine-and-seafood-and-uk-return-flights-from-just-50-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magdelaine.net\/beauty-and-fashion\/the-stunning-european-island-with-fabulous-wine-and-seafood-and-uk-return-flights-from-just-50-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"The stunning European island with fabulous wine and seafood – and UK return flights from just \u00a350 | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

WE'RE winding along mountainous roads in a 4×4 Jeep when our driver Antonio hits the brakes and points to the sky, where a kestrel is swooping above.\u00a0<\/p>\n

My boyfriend Jamie and I are on a tour of west Madeira, and already we\u2019ve trundled along Ribeira Brava\u2019s coastal paths, clipped past Calheta\u2019s eucalyptus groves and whizzed along roads that could be straight out of The Italian Job.<\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n

Madeira has natural beauty in spades, and this eight-hour tour is a brilliant way to see it, as well as some birds of prey, if you\u2019re lucky.<\/p>\n

Sampling a glass of poncha \u2013 AKA a local aperitif made with lemon, honey and rum \u2013 surrounded by shelves of vintage booze at Porto de Abrigo, is a great end to our expedition (Instagram.com\/porto.abrigo).<\/p>\n

A full-day Jeep tour costs from \u00a348 per person (Adventurelandmadeira.com).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fun-chal and games<\/h2>\n

Sun-drenched and tipsy, we head back to our pad for the weekend, The Vine Hotel, and plunge into its rooftop infinity pool.<\/p>\n

READ MORE TRAVEL NEWS<\/h2>\n

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Best beach holiday deals in December to Spain &amp; Cape Verde- from \u00a3241pp with TUI<\/h3>\n

<\/picture>OFF OUI GO <\/span><\/p>\n

French Christmas markets Brits can reach by ferry &amp; you can fill up on booze<\/h3>\n

With its moody plum-coloured walls, waterfall showers and panoramic views across the harbour, this place makes for the perfect romantic hideaway nestled in the centre of Madeira\u2019s capital Funchal \u2013 that is, once you\u2019ve stepped through a shopping centre to find it.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to spend a whole day mooching around the city with its exquisite churches and vast array of bakeries lining the cobbled streets, pumping out their sugary aromas.<\/p>\n

At Blandy\u2019s Wine Lodge, we join a cellar tour, followed by a tasting session, where any bottles bought can be collected later from Funchal airport after security.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a win for us, considering we\u2019ve only booked hand luggage. <\/p>\n

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Scott and I still love each other. We just don\u2019t like each other, says Helen<\/h3>\n

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Evri driver reveals how much he makes per delivery<\/h3>\n

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My \u00a354 Shein wedding dress was ‘phenomenal’ – everyone said I looked beautiful<\/h3>\n

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I’m a 32H, 127 lbs and 5’2″, I have no muffin top in my buttery Amazon bodysuit<\/h3>\n

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Tours cost from \u00a311 per person (Blandyswinelodge.com).<\/p>\n

We also ditch hunting for the elusive Madeira cake, having discovered it\u2019s an English invention, and instead sample queijadas \u2013 delicious local milk tart pastries \u2013 at F\u00e1brica Santo Antonio (Fabricastoantonio.com).\u00a0<\/p>\n

EAST ENDERS<\/h2>\n

Come dusk, we climb up to Santa Catarina Park \u2013 a serene, leafy haven overlooking the bustling streets below \u2013 and look out at the glittering harbour, before discovering Akua,\u00a0a gem of a dinner spot, in town.<\/p>\n

We sit at the chef\u2019s table watching lobsters sizzle on grills as we tuck into mussels, \u00a310, mouth-watering tuna tartare served in ice-cream cones, \u00a310, and fresh red snapper with seafood pasta, \u00a322, before washing it all down with Ti Maria, a crisp white made with grapes grown on the island (Akuafunchal.pt).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cruising the banana-tree-lined tracks of eastern Madeira proves to be another day well spent.<\/p>\n

After parking up at Centro Freira da Madeira, we set off to walk between some of the island\u2019s highest peaks \u2013 and at 1,818m altitude, it\u2019s chilly compared to the balmy coast, so I\u2019m glad I\u2019ve packed a jacket.<\/p>\n

Next, we head to Santana, with its traditional thatched houses and charming weekday market.<\/p>\n

We lunch at nearby Quinta do Fur\u00e3o, where the tender espetada beef skewers, served with freshly baked bread, \u00a320.50, are worth the four-hour flight alone (Quintadofurao.com).\u00a0<\/p>\n

On our final day, our taxi driver warns us of the \u201cvirus\u201d.<\/p>\n

Symptoms include developing the urge to move to Madeira and a deep sadness on leaving.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s safe to say, we\u2019ve caught it\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n

FYI<\/strong><\/p>\n

Plan your trip at Visitmadeira.com.<\/p>\n

Double rooms at The Vine Hotel cost from \u00a3139 B&B (Hotelthevine.com).<\/p>\n

Return flights from the UK cost from \u00a350.<\/p>\n


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WE'RE winding along mountainous roads in a 4×4 Jeep when our driver Antonio hits the brakes and points to the sky, where a kestrel is swooping above.\u00a0 My boyfriend Jamie and I are on a tour of west Madeira, and already we\u2019ve trundled along Ribeira Brava\u2019s coastal paths, clipped past Calheta\u2019s eucalyptus groves and whizzed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe stunning European island with fabulous wine and seafood - and UK return flights from just \u00a350 | The Sun - magdelaine.net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/magdelaine.net\/beauty-and-fashion\/the-stunning-european-island-with-fabulous-wine-and-seafood-and-uk-return-flights-from-just-50-the-sun\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The stunning European island with fabulous wine and seafood - 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