Top 10 Madeira (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)

* Leather Goods
There are fashionable leather
shops aplenty in the narrow
streets that lie north and south
of Funchal cathedral (see pp8–9),
but a factory outlet called Pele
Leather has some of the best
value leather goods on offer,
with an extensive range of
leather bags, wallets, clothing,
luggage and briefcases to
choose from. d Rua das Murças 26A,
Funchal • Map P3 • 291 223 619
( Barros e Abreu, Funchal
The traditional leather ankle
boots made by Barros e Abreu
Irmãos are surprisingly comfortable,
but unlike their beautiful
and timeless leather sandals,
they may look out of place back
home. Buy them from the stall in
the Mercado dos Lavradores
(see pp18–19), or see them
being made at the workshop in
the Zona Velha. d Workshop: Rua do
Portão de São Tiago 23 • Map Q5
) Books
Bootmaker at Barros e Abreu
Literally no more than a hole
in the wall, Funchal’s Livraria
Pátio has a good stock of books
on the history, culture and wildlife
of Madeira, including antiquarian
rarities. Another Funchal
bookshop selling most books on
Madeira in print is the charmingly
old-fashioned Livraria Esperança.
d Livraria Pátio: Rua da Carreira 43. Map
P2. 224 490 • Livraria Esperança: Rua dos
Ferreiros 119. Map N3. 291 221 116
Top 10 Gifts to Buy
! Embroidery
Now highly regarded by
couturiers, Madeiran
embroidery had unlikely
beginnings; it was started by
Bella Phelps in 1844 to
provide work during a slump
in the wine trade.
@ Tapestry
Tapestry, a close cousin of
embroidery, has been produced
on the island since the
1890s. Kits are available for
amateur enthusiasts.
# Wicker
Centred around Camacha,
Madeira’s wickerworkers create
1,200 different articles.
$ Wine and Liqueurs
As well as fortified Madeira
wine, the island produces
aguardente (translated as
“rum”, but actually more like
brandy) and fruit liqueurs.
% Leather
Leather bags and shoes
are a Portuguese speciality.
^ Pottery
Another speciality is pottery
in Moorish designs, or
shaped like cabbage leaves.
& Cakes
Festive bolo de mel
(honey cake), once made only
at Christmas, is now a yearround
treat, made using cane
sugar, nuts and fruit.
* Flowers
Colourful and long-lasting
blooms make a good souvenir
of this garden isle.
( Boots and Sandals
These are handmade in raw
leather, to a timeless design.
) Pompom Hats
Thick, cable-knit hats and
sweaters made from raw
undyed wool are worn by
Madeira’s farmers to keep off
the chill.
Madeira’s Top 10 57