La Isla Bonita

Welcome to the island of Madeira! Located about 600 miles southwest of Europe in the Atlantic Ocean, it is an ideal romantic getaway with a subtropical climate perfect for anytime of the year. The entire island is covered in lush greenery and waterfalls of natural spring water. It is absolutely beautiful!

Enjoy a beautiful sunrise from your hotel room as you'll want to wake early enough to get to your full day of exciting activities. 

Take one of the popular bus tours around the island to learn about the types of vegetation and volcanic rock. During your journey, please feel free to sing Madonna's "La Isla Bonita," if you are so inclined. I'm sure your husband will appreciate it, at least as much as mine did. :)

On your tour you will appreciate breathtaking views from all around the island. Here is the view from Cabo Girao, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.

Just be careful to watch and hang onto your husband around the cliffs, in case he feels the need to climb through/over any railings.

Enjoy a picnic on the coast as you take in the sea breeze and enjoy the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks.

Madeira is not just for relaxation but adventure seekers as well. Take the 2km toboggan ride with these strapping young men as they push and pull you down the hill only feet away from cars, ditches, and stone walls. If you prefer something more traditional but still thrilling, there are always the bus rides with hair pin turns around ravines on very narrow and steep streets. (Just as exciting as any roller coaster!)

Madeira has something to please everyone. The history buffs will be excited to know that this small fishing village was one of Winston Churchill's favorite spots to paint.

Pirates once roamed these waters freely. Today you probably won't find any, but you can take a boat ride on a replica of the Santa Maria--one of Christopher Columbus' ships. Columbus did, in fact, spend some time in Madeira. The popular Empress Sisi of Bavaria also lived in Madeira while recovering from lung disease, and the last Emperor of Austro-Hungarian Empire, Charles I (aka Charles IV King of Hungary) was exiled here in 1921.

You can pretend to be Christopher Columbus and plan your own adventures...that your wife probably won't let you go on.

Hiking is also very popular, and the views from the top of the mountains are very rewarding.

Enjoy the gorgeous gardens in Monte

Anything can grow in Madeira, from cacti to Calla Lilies

to Birds of Paradise (that grow wild all over the island).

When you get hungry you will find eager salesmen with delicious and exotic fruits and vegetables at the market in Funchal, along with fresh and pungent smelling fish that they will cut open for you right there...if you like that sort of thing.

So come and bask in the tropical paradise of Madeira, we know you will love it.

***Disclaimer: There is a small chance of being bitten by a dog while running along the pier. (especially if your name is Carlos, and you really don't like dogs to begin with). You will be relieved to know that rabies is almost unheard of on Madeira. So, you can still enjoy the rest of your trip after a short visit to a medical clinic, receiving a shot and getting some antibiotics.