In the middle of the Atlantic, between Portugal and Africa, lie the subtropical islands of Madeira. Quiet beaches are lapped by a warm sea that draws dolphins, whales and a wealth of other marine life. Flowers bloom all year round, which is why Madeira is called "the floating garden".
The islands' volcanic birth left a dramatic landscape of towering sea cliffs, rugged peaks and plateaus, deep gorges, waterfalls and river valleys, and a rich soil for growing vines, cherries and bananas. The ancient laurel forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and six other nature reserves and parks protect some of the most unusual plants and wildlife in the world.
Summers are warm and winters mild, with average temperatures around 20 °C. There is plenty of sunshine, though as on any island it can also be windy or rainy.
Things to do
The mild climate means you can be outdoors all year. To get to the heart of the island, leave the car behind and set out on foot, by bike or on horseback.
Madeira is famous for its levada walks: narrow paths that follow the old watercourses over hilltops, through terraced orchards and down steep valleys. A head for heights helps, and the views are well worth the effort.
Madeira is also one of Europe's top destinations for canyoning: making your way down steep mountain rivers by scrambling, jumping, swimming, climbing and abseiling.
The coast, with its quiet beaches, coves and islets, offers some of the world's best diving, big game fishing and dolphin and whale watching, or simply a boat trip to enjoy the scenery. At the end of the day, head to one of the historic towns and watch the sun go down over fresh seafood, or the island's famous wine and honey cake. If you can, plan your visit for New Year's Eve and one of the world's biggest fireworks displays.
Getting to Madeira
The archipelago lies in the North Atlantic, 860 km (535 miles) from Lisbon and 580 km (360 miles) from the African coast. There are direct flights from Portugal, the UK, Ireland, Germany, the USA and South Africa, among other countries.