Top 10 Madeira (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)

* Lady’s Garden
The Jardim da
Senhora (above) has
topiary nesting birds and
vintage trees, including a
grand old Madeiran til
tree (see p23), two
Canary pines and a
weeping Saphora
japonica, whose
corkscrew limbs and
delicate leaves
cascade to the
ground to form a
natural green veil.
% Long Borders
Typically English
herbaceous border plants,
such as delphiniums and
day lilies, are mixed with
tender and exotic orchids,
and angel’s trumpets
(daturas). Climbing roses
and jasmine are draped
over arches so that you
catch the heady scent
as you pass.
( Hell Valley
Despite its name,
this valley is a delightful
tangle of bamboo, tree
ferns, native woodland
and creepers, with an
understorey of beautiful
acanthus plants.
) Camellia Walk
Look out for the
stone circle called Avista
Navios (“Place for Viewing
Ships”), where there
is a clear view all the way
down to the harbour.
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Quinta do
Palheiro Ferreiro
The Terrace ^ Paved with tiny seaworn
pebbles, the
terrace offers a good
view of the house (no
admission) that John
Blandy built in 1885,
successfully blending
English and Madeiran
architectural styles.
The Old House & Now a luxurious
hotel (see p113), the
Casa Velha was originally
a hunting lodge. Archduchess
Leopoldina of
Austria stayed here on
her way to marry Pedro I
of Brazil in 1817.
The Blandy Family
The first John Blandy
(1783–1855) arrived in
1807 as quartermaster
in General Beresford’s
army, which had been
posted to Madeira to
defend the island against
attack from Napoleon.
Blandy returned in 1811,
and made his fortune
supplying the ships that
called at Funchal’s busy
port. His eldest son,
Charles Ridpath, bought
up all existing stocks of
wine on the island
when mildew caused
grape harvests to fail in
1852. This bold move
enabled the family to
dominate the wine
trade from then on.
The name Palheiro Ferreiro literally means “blacksmith’s hut”.
Perhaps long ago a blacksmith chose this spot for his forge.
Madeira’s Top 10 25