“Levadas are paths in Paradise, since paradisiacal is all that can be seen, heard and felt.” The words by Ferreira de Castro are used by the Managing Director of Intertours, a Madeiran tour operator, to highlight her “path” of election in the island. An inheritance to be preserved, according to Andreia Rodrigues, which is reinforced by its recent proposition as the Portuguese Site for the World UNESCO Heritage Site 2023. “Walking through the interior of our Island is the only way of really getting to know it”, she argues. “Our levadas, but also our ancestral paths and the royal ways lead us to the discovery of a unique, natural, cultural and landscape heritage. Lagoons, waterfalls, breath-taking views, peaks and craters, streams and watercourses and charming species of endemic fauna and flora… invite to the renewing of our energy levels!”
After a walk, Andreia Rodrigues suggests a swim in the Madeira’s sea freshness. “It’s reinvigorating!”, she guarantees. Benefiting from the natural pools, the black sand beaches, the pebble beaches – some easier to access than others – it is in fact, an experience not to be missed in Madeira.
AND THE BEST OF IS…
VISIT: Quinta das Cruzes Museum, Sé Catedral, Igreja do Colégio, Jardim Botânico, Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre, Mudas – Museum of Contemporary Art of Madeira, Engenhos da Calheta, Fanal, Queimadas, Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Pico Ruivo, Lavradores Market, Porto Santo beach; ACTIVITIES: Levadas, Jeep off Road, watching the sunrise in one of the highest peaks in the Island, watching cetaceans and swimming with dolphins, picnic in the vineyards; SLEEP: The art of hospitality is characteristic of our hotels; EAT: Santo António, Il Basilico, Maré Alta, Doca do Cavacas, SolMar, Akua, Kampo, Prima Caju; NIGHTLIFE: Barreirinha; SHOPPING: Bordal, Blandy’s Wine Lodge, Uaucacau, Fábrica de Santo António.
