Madeira vacation - any recos for hotels, guides,...

[Andreas Platt]

Hi!

I am planning next years vacation for a 5-7 day trip to Madeira and i'm starting to gather infos.

Since we will also try to visit some producers and this boards members are knowledgeable I thought i'll start here.

Here goes: We (2x34 and 2x60) would like to stay in a smaller hotel or a cottage; will take a rental car (if necessary) and would like to make 1-2 days Funchal sightseeing, 2-3 days "exploring the country" (wildlife and hiking) and 1-2 days for visiting winemakers. "We" is my wife and myself plus parents in law.

I already checked out some hotel's websites and i mostly foumd some in and around Funchal (which isn't a problem, but some people think that it's too touristy - i don't know). If there's something further away i wouldn't mind.

What looks good to me is Casa Velha de Palheiro, Choupana and Qunita Jardins do Lago, but what do i know.

I also found some guides on Amazon (Globetrotter, Thomas Cook) - maybe anyone has any info on that as well?

I am thankfull fot every input/feed-back.

Thanks,

Andreas

P.S.: Best time between March and July?

[Roy Hersh]

Andreas,

Wow, a blast from the past. Where have you been?

Yes that is the best time of year, but I'd stop at June. After that it is a major cruise line destination spot and when 3-4,000 people off-load, you can have a miserable time while visiting a Madeira producer. Too bad your family doesn't like Port, or I'd tell you to come along with us on the May 2009 Fortification Tour. You realize that there are not that many producers left on the island of Madeira and a week there might be overkill, unless you are planning to just relax in the sun.

[Heather Hathwell]

Andreas

You can PM me or cruise around and check out an earlier post I made about this topic. Plenty to do in the countryside - definitely the north coast is a must at least for one night.