In Fábio Remesso’s opinion, upon arrival to the island, from whatever destination, it is almost a duty to visit the Balcões belvedere, located in Ribeiro Frio, to meet Ms. Conceição and try her “poncha” (traditional alcoholic drink made with sugar cane “aguardente”, honey, sugar and lemon juice) and her honey cake. This young entrepreneur considers this stopover an essential element of a perfect day in Madeira, which would also include climbing the Pico do Areeiro to watch the sunrise and enjoying a boat outing in search of dolphins and whales. At the age of 31, Fábio Remesso manages and promotes two of Funchal’s well-known establishments – the Barreirinha Bar Café and Mercearia D. Mécia – as well as being one of the promoters of the ALESTE Festival, a highlight of last summer in Madeira. For Fábio Remesso, the mountains, sea and traditional “levadas” lost within the ancestral Floresta Laurissilva (Laurel Forest) represent the very best of the island, but he also suggests visiting its various counties, especially the Ponta do Sol, Calheta, Porto Moniz and São Vicente axis. And he advises that no one leave Madeira without having tried fresh limpets or having toasted with poncha.
AND HIS BEST OF IS…
VISIT: Jardim Tropical Monte Palace, Museu Quinta das Cruzes, Sé Catedral; ACTIVITIES: Levadas; SLEEP: Estalagem da Ponta de Sol, Pestana Miramar; EAT: Il Gallo D’Oro, Villa Cipriani, Shu.Aka, O Polar, Pão, Vinho e Petiscos, Mercearia D. Mécia; CAFÉS: Barreirinha Bar Café (end of the afternoon), Maktub, Oficina; NIGHTLIFE: Mini Eco Bar, Copacabana Garden, Tender, Living Room, Marginal, Scat; SHOPPING: Mercearia D. Mécia – A Loja, Loja Tradições, Enomania, Armazém do Mercado.
