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In the summer months, this vibrant island paradise is set to sizzle as the season heats up with thrilling events and unique adventures. Here’s our top-five guide to spending your summer days in Madeira.
On the summer’s warmest days, the sparkling waves of the Atlantic Ocean beckon you to dive-in. Scuba diving is popular throughout the year, but from June to September, expect to glimpse rays, barracudas and shimmering shoals of mackerel. Above the surface, conditions are perfect for wind-surfing and deep-sea fishing. Head out to catch big-game fish like marlin and tuna.
The long, sun-soaked days simmer with a sense of wellbeing. Make the most of the gentle pace of life here with sunrise yoga sessions, sumptuous spa treatments and nourishing local ingredients. At Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira, aromatherapy experts, spa therapists and a yoga guru team-up to help you achieve total relaxation. Enjoy a host of zen-centred events among the hotel’s lush subtropical gardens.
On the topic of gardens, this small island is brimming with beautiful botanicals and nothing beats the summer blooms. Catch a gondola to the peaks of Madeira where the air is cooler and the gardens are magnificent. At Monte Palace, an impressive collection of exotic plants unfurl down the mountainside. You’ll find the finest displays of local plant species at Madeira Botanical Gardens (created on the former Reid family estate). Lesser known but equally charming are the gardens at Palheiro. Escape the crowds and lose yourself here among the fragrant hibiscus and bougainvillea.
It’s no secret that Madeira is famous for its flavours. The early sugar cane industry excelled the production of sweet treats like Madeira cake, while today the pearl of the Atlantic is celebrated as a centre of gastronomic excellence. But there’s no island ingredient more popular than Madeira wine. The yearly grape harvest takes place around the end of the summer, while the whole island celebrates with the Madeira Wine Festival. Delve into the festivities with an unmissable street parade, grape pressing events and vineyard visits.
In the summer, the island’s social calendar comes alive with spectacular variety. An afternoon stroll through Santa Catarina Park becomes the perfect excuse to linger later and hear the best local and international artists play for Madeira Jazz Festival. After, Funchal’s buzzing bars and clubs continue the musical festivities late into the night. Or, join crowds lining the island’s winding roads to capture stunning vintage vehicles in a competitive race. The atmosphere is electric, while the sense of nostalgia is simply irresistible.
Make your base at the timeless Reid’s Palace, perched between subtropical gardens and the endless blue of the Atlantic Ocean. With our exclusive Discover Madeira package you can see Madeira like never before. Enjoy a tour of Funchal, your choice of half-day levada walk and a catamaran sea excursion. Make the most of your summer break in Madeira—magical memories are guaranteed.
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