“Santa Cruz is the main entry door for the region, and offers unparalleled experiences from the moment you arrive, like travelling from the sea to the hills in just a few minutes; it’s a path to appreciate and feel the real Madeira, from its scents to its colors and tastes, from century-old traditions to present times, from the rural environments to its urbanity”. Élia Ascensão, the elected local representative at Santa Cruz Municipality Council, knows what she is talking about. Born in Caniço 39 years ago, she stills lives in the same Santa Cruz parish. She acknowledges that she lives in a privileged location in Madeira, particularly due to the two important natural reserves located within its periphery: Ilhas Desertas (Deserted Islands) and Garajau. Aside from the natural splendors, equally accessible at Levada dos Tornos or at Reis Magos Beach, Élia must also mention the urban heritage sites located around the historical center of the Municipality’s main town, Santa Cruz. She suggests as well a visit to the Christ-King Statue at Garajau, and cannot go without following the traditions and flavors, as she watches the live wickerwork making demonstration at Café Relógio, enjoys a fresh cider in Santo António da Serra, or tastes a meat skewer at Gaula or a delicious fresh fish at Caniço de Baixo.
AND HER BEST OF IS…
VISIT: Casa da Cultura de Santa Cruz – Quinta do Revoredo, Paços do Concelho, Parish Church, Cristo Rei, Desertas Islands, Garajau, Reis Magos Beach, Levada dos Tornos, Quinta Splendida Gardens; ACTIVITIES: diving, sailing, trail; SLEEP: Galo Resorts, Four Views Oásis, RIU Palace, Vila Galé Santa Cruz, PortoBay Serra Golf, Casas Valleparaízo; EAT: Atalaia Bistrô, Laranjinha Bistrô, A Traineira, Paladares, Taberna do Petisco, A Venda do Bello, Atlantis; NIGHT: Capoeira; SHOPPING: Caniço Shopping.
