Even now I am not as well travelled as many people my age but I have been lucky enough to visit a fair few places I guess. As with most things in life it is all relative.

There are still so many places that I would love to visit and any of these could become a favourite but one that provides very fond memories is the Portuguese Island of Madeira which I was lucky enough to visit in 2006.

I love Madeira because:

• The people are lovely and friendly. They are rather reserved and very polite but if you are respectful you will soon fall in love with them.
• The temperature is around a constant 74 degrees Fahrenheit day or night, spring or summer. Madeira has its own sub tropical climate and is always pleasantly warm.
• If you pick the time of year to visit accordingly you will not experience too much rain, if any.
• British Tourists tend to be a little older, as in aged over 50.
• But that usually means you will not find your hotel swamped by young children or classic lager louts.
• Families visiting though are always welcomed with open arms. It is just that the average age of visitors is 50 plus.
• The island is so beautiful. The climate ensures that flowers grow larger than elsewhere and grow anywhere and everywhere.
• The interior of the island is volcanic and has a plains area, huge mountains, hills, remote villages and a non-commercial feel.
• Flying time from the UK is relatively short and flights are available from most International UK airports.
• The Madeiran people have invested time and money constructing modern roads. Getting around the Island is easy.
• Restaurants and cafes are clean and serve delicious meals for a good price. They are also very clean.
• Accomodation. as via a package holiday can be costly.
• Locals speak Portuguese but most speak some English. Use a few Portuguese words if you are able. Obrigado, thank-you, always goes down a treat.
• The island has many interesting places to visit. There are splendid churches, the usual shops, small villages, larger towns and a wealth of history.
• Traditional local dance troupes and Fado music.
• The Island's capital, Funchal which has everything you could possibly want.
• As a volcanic island there are no natural sandy beaches but a few man-made ones.

The nearby island of Porto Santo is a beach lover's paradise.

Our vacation also included good company. We were lucky to meet up with a lovely couple from Yorkshire and enjoyed each other's company.

All in all a wonderful holiday and a place I would love to experience again.

Is there any wonder it is often called "A floating Garden"

Tourism Madeira

Our visit to Monte Palace and gardens

Monte has a beautiful church or two, cafes and more. When we arrived at Monte village we just seemed to end up in front of the Monte Palace Gardens. It looked a good place to visit and while away an hour or so, and in we went. Included in the price of your entrance fee is a leaflet which has a map of the Gardens.

There are buildings which hold displays and these were  interesting. When we visited, one had African art, another precious minerals of South America and another a Japanese display. These buildings were lovely and cool compared to the daytime heat and humidity. There could have been more but I cannot recall.

There were some toilets here and my advice is use them. You never know how long it may be before you find any more.

Near here there was a Japanese garden which was lovely and calm.

As you wander around the gardens you will come across all sorts of peculiarities, strange plants and flowers and different garden layouts. On we trekked like the explorers that we felt.

Two hours later we appeared to be in the depths of god knows where.

Looking around all we could see were trees and plants, but at least we had the map, I hear you say.

Well hubby is a lovely guy and not very bad tempered but when he blows he blows.

As the heat got to him, and I guess a feeling of desperation, we tried in vain to get to grips with the map. Too late. It was crushed into a tiny ball and pitched as far as he could throw it and I did not even dare to laugh out loud.

Of course we did later.

We found a lake, a waterfall and Monte Palace, which was not open to visitors but you could peek through the windows.

Another hour or two later we came across a restaurant. Hallelujah. As I hastily headed for the toilets Hubby got the sustenance ordered. When I returned he had also acquired another map as the restaurant had a ready supply on the counter.

A kindly waitress showed us just where we were and how to make our escape.

Don't get me wrong it was a lovely place and I would visit again but next time I would be prepared.

We just had not realised how big a place the gardens were.

Essential requirements

• THE MAP
• PLENTY OF BOTTLED DRINKING WATER OR THE LIKE
• A SNACK IN CASE YOU GET LOST
• LOTS OF TIME TO FULLY EXPLORE
• PERHAPS EVEN A PICNIC LUNCH
• SUNSCREEN
• A LIGHT COVER UP. ALTHOUGH PARTS ARE SHADY YOU COULD GET CAUGHT OUT WITH THE SUN OR THEN AGAIN YOU MAY FEEL COOL IN THE SHADE
  

I guess the gardens were not that massive but we were still a little tired having only just arrived on the island of Madeira a day or so earlier and we had not allowed enough time for our visit.

Worth a visit?
Yes Monte and the gardens are definitely worth a visit. Monte sits high over Funchal and on a clear day the views are really special. The cable cars and toboggan rides add to the fun.

The toboggan though only takes you back part of the way into Funchal town and you will either have to walk the rest of the way or take a bus or taxi.

The cable cars take you back to near the bus station and the coastline of Funchal.

Set aside a whole day or decide to visit Monte more than once in order to give all of its attractions the attention they deserve. Remember tourist trinkets will be more expensive at places such as Monte. Shop in Funchal instead.

Even if you do not take a toboggan ride watch those that do for a great laugh.

More:
Gardens of Monte Madeira