Madeira Island Magazine - November / December 2020

O QUE FAZER - TOP 7 | Top 7 Hotspots
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The Cannons of Faial
Built in the early twentieth
century, the area in which
ten cannons keep watch was never
considered a fortress, but rather a local
watch against invaders, or gazebo for
visitors. It is a simple recreation of a
military battery which includes ten
eighteenth century English. The fortress
area provides breathtaking views of a
large stretch of the coastline, the center
of Faial and, on clear days, Porto Santo,
the Serra da Penha d’ Águia and the
northern part of Ponta de São Lourenço.
Ponta de São Lourenço.
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Porto Santo
Porto Santo is one long
beach with a bit of an island
attached. Along its nine kilometres
of soft white sands, you’ll find just a
handful of hotels and restaurants,
making Porto Santo one of the last
‘undiscovered’ resorts in Europe. The
island boasts a first-rate international
golf course; the rugged interior is a fine
setting for energetic walks, and there’s
horse-riding, diving, game-fishing and
all manner of other diversions to be
found. There’s an intriguing touch of
history, too, as Porto Santo’s capital,
Vila Baleira was once home to none
other than Christopher Columbus. And
it is easy to get to, either by ferry from
Madeira, or by plane.
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Nun’s Valley
Curral das Freiras is a civil
parish in the municipality
of Câmara de Lobos. The population
consists of about 2,000 inhabitants, in
an area of approximately 25 km².
It is situated in the mountainous
interior of the island. Being one of
the more distant locations from the
municipal seat of Câmara de Lobos, it
is geographically isolated from other
communities by the cliffs and peaks
surrounding its central valley. A tunnel
southwards in the direction of Funchal
now offers safe access to the valley.
Curral das Freiras offers great hikes, like
the one heading to Boaventura, stunning
views and delicious chestnut cakes.
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São Vicente
São Vicente is an area
characterized by green nature
and abundant forest, modelled by volcanic
forces and erosion in its beautiful slopes.
One of the most representative symbols of
the picturesque town of São Vicente is the
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Photos by
Carlos Freitas
small chapel built inside a basalt rock at
the mouth of the stream that runs through
the town. In the heart of São Vicente one
finds the Indigenous Garden where dozens
of species of local flora are represented.
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Santa Cruz
Garajau Partial Nature
Reserve
The Garajau Partial Nature Reserve is
located on the south coast of Madeira
Island, east of Funchal, occupying a
coastline extension of approximately
six miles and covers an area of 376
hectares.
It is a marine park that includes a
strip running from the high tide line and
into the sea to a depth of 50 metres.
Amongst the fauna of this park are
larger fish such as the Epinephelus
guaza (mero in Portuguese) and also a
variety of other coastal species. Groups
of Atlantic manta rays (manta birostris)
can be seen here every year.
Their size and graceful movement
has transformed the area into an
international attraction. Any fishing
activity is forbidden inside the park.
Navigation is also highly controlled.
at the mouth of the stream that runs
through the town. In the heart of São
Vicente one finds the Indigenous Garden
where dozens of species of local flora
are represented.
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Solar dos Esmeraldos
The “Solar” is situated near
the Church of the Holy Spirit in
Lombada, Ponta do Sol. Before starting
the walk to levada do Moinho you will
find the beautiful Solar dos Esmeraldos,
which functions as a school, and the old
windmill that rendered its name to the
levada.
30 Madeira Island Magazine | Novembro - Dezembro 2020