Madeira - Floating Garden of the Atlantic

Madeira is a an island off the coast of Portugal. This little gem is fantastic for those looking for a holiday removed from the norm and is a little quieter than many of the more obvious European destinations. This beautiful, verdant place is defined by its majestic mountains that are ripe for hiking and the crystal clear waters that surround this picturesque island.

Nature lovers will really love this place. You can Explore one of the many protected reserves or gardens for colourful flowering fauna and discover why Madeira is often referred to as 'The floating garden of the Atlantic'. You could start your holiday with a trip to the Botanical gardens of Madeira located in Funchal, or the Ponta de Sao Lourenco – a peninsular located on the East of the island that boasts amazing coastal views and a variety of flowering fauna perfect for the botanist in you!

If you like to fill your days with long walks, then head to the World heritage site of the Laurel Forest. This huge forest covers a vast area of the island and you will find walks to be interesting and easy to follow. Be sure to take plenty of water and a picnic to really enjoy this place and immerse yourself in Madeira's thriving woodland. At the North of the island is the volcanic centre of Madeira and the charming town of Sao Vicente. Within the volcanic caverns of Sao Vicente you will find an interactive display detailing how this island garden was formed – perfect for a relaxing day trip on your holiday in Madeira.

A holiday to Madeira is complete only when you have set aside some time to visit the vibrant city of Funchal. This large city stretches from the coast all the way into the nearby hills and is home to the wonderfully constructed Cathedral of Funchal that dates back to the 15^th century. You can also explore the winding streets that lead up to grand mansions that sit atop the steep hills.

The city of Funchal is perhaps most famous for its stunning coastal approach into the harbour, and for this reason Funchal is extremely popular with European cruise liners that take the trip Madeira. A boat trip from Funchal comes highly recommended as you also have an excellent chance of spotting some of the many whales that inhabit these warm, Mediterranean waters.

Spread the Word: Share/Submit or Bookmark this Post...

Menorca: The Quieter side of the Balearics

The Balearic islands sit in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Africa. This sunny archipelago is made up of three holiday heavyweights: Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza, all of which offer something for everyone but today we focus on the quietest and most joyfully relaxing of all these islands, Menorca.

Menorca presents those visiting the Balearics with a more traditional take on the islands with plenty of historical and natural landscapes to explore and a peaceful existence that is a world away from the party isles of Majorca and Ibiza.  Unspoilt beaches and ornate coves are top of the list of things to explore here with the best beaches being in the holiday towns of Arenal D'en Castell and Cala Galdana. Both of these towns have plenty of accommodation offers meaning there are cheap holidays to be had in Menorca if you look in the right places.


If you're looking for somewhere slightly more developed and a little busier, head to the West coast and the popular resort of Cala'n Forcat. The coastline here is very rugged and is interspersed with sandy beaches offering access to the warm, shallow waters that are ideal for younger children.

A great tip for you Menorca holiday is to sort yourself a rental car for the week and enjoy days filled with beach-hopping and cave exploring adventures! This way you'll be sure to explore gems hidden along the coast, such as caves of the beach town of Alcaufar and the sandy stretches of golden sand at peaceful Sant Thomas.

You should also take the time to lose yourself in the wonderful natural sights of the S'Albufera national park to the North of the island. Here you will find a contrasting landscape to the usual sand and sea of the holiday areas and find mountains, grass and warm lakes all of which are ripe for exploration with a myriad of man-made routes.

Amongst the historical sights and buildings of interest that are on the list of things to see in Menorca are the fully restored Sant Antoni church of Carre de Vassollo  and the wondrous Ciutadella cathedral which illustrates meticulous Spanish craftsmanship from the 13th century.

Cala'n Forcat

Spread the Word: Share/Submit or Bookmark this Post...