Trip to Madeira

Last week three other Travel Counsellors and I went to Madeira with the Portuguese Tourist Office. I have long sold Madeira as a winter destination for the slightly older generation - but it has so much more to offer. It is an incredibly pretty island - very mountainous but very green. Funchal is a charming little city with lots to see and do, a very interesting market and then the port and the cable car up the mountain.

We stayed at Reid's Palace overlooking the sea - a wonderful holiday, understated elegance and beautifully appointed. We visited many of the Quintas - the old mansion houses which have been converted into hotels. We also walked one of the levadas which are the waterways built to irrigate the terraces where all their crops are grown. We also visited some of the resort hotels and this destination would be ideal for families and couples alike. There are so many hotels to choose from.

The food is really international cuisine with a big emphasis on fish which of course is plentiful. I really would recommend this destination as it is a beautiful and scenic little island and only 3 and a half hours flying time from London.