For the discerning traveller, the mountains of Funchal make the perfect backdrop for the festive season – paired with, of course, a stunning finale at Reid’s Palace.
1 / 5
Warming, hearty treats are on the island’s menus in the cooler months. Keep an eye out for ‘Carne Vinha d’Alhos,’ a festive speciality made with garlic, wine and pork. A spicy honey cake, ‘Bolo de mel,’ is also a seasonal favourite.
Don’t miss the 'Cozido à Portuguesa'. This stew is one of Portugal’s most famous, featuring meats, sausages and vegetables slow cooked to perfection. Why not wash your meal down with homemade liqueur, such as the wine-based ‘tin tan tum’?
2 / 5
Madeira’s markets have an extra-special festive charm in the winter months. Head to Avenida Arriaga, which is decked out in lights and decorations for a truly magical atmosphere in December. You’ll also find many traditional ‘lapinha’ dotted around the island in the winter months. These special nativity scenes show baby Jesus on top of a flight of steps, decorated with fruit.
Thousands of shining lights will make the streets of Funchal sparkle. Even the mountains are home to creative light displays that twinkle in the distance.
3 / 5
The waters around Madeira are teeming with life all year, but between November and February some especially rare cetacean species can be spotted. Short-beaked common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales can be found breaking through the waves. The mild ocean temperatures also make diving a popular sport at any time of year.
4 / 5
Festivities at Reid's are taken seriously. From mid-December, the hotel magically transforms into an authentic Christmas wonderland. Every day there's reason to cheer with Christmas carols, story time under the tree for little ones and cookie-making classes to give guests some festive spirit.
Discover Reid's Palace5 / 5
Funchal’s mountainous setting provides the perfect stage for one of the most beautiful fireworks displays in the world. The pyrotechnic show lasts for about eight minutes, with fireworks being set off from several points in the city. This magnificent spectacle was internationally recognised in 2006 by the Guinness Book of Records as "the largest fireworks show in the world".
We’re proud to announce the start of a multiyear partnership with the global environmental organisation – starting in the heart of Mexico’s Mayan Riviera.
Travelling in luxury by train or boat recalls a sense of cinematic glamour. Now, takeovers and charters are the new way to recreate a rollicking spirit of celebration for special occasions.
The Riviera Maya is an adventurer’s dream. This 130km stretch of Caribbean coastline isn't just Cancun or Playa del Carmen: from white sandy beaches and authentic fishing villages to ancient ruins and buzzing nightlife, it’s a wonder waiting to be explored.
Step onboard the legendary Eastern & Oriental Express and rediscover the beauty of our mythical train, seen through the lens of renowned Japanese photographer Keizo Kitajima.
To mark our 150th birthday, Delilah Khomo retraces the history of our legendary Taormina hotel: from the birth of the destination in 385 BC to luminaries who called us their home.
Sicily is a land of captivating contrasts. Here, we explore the island through the lens of Magnum photographer Gregory Halpern, delving into the enchanting destinations and exploring the mercurial Sicilian Soul.
Stepping aboard British Pullman offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the golden age of travel. On this historic train, discover the work of British craftsmen creating luxury train travel for the 21st century.