Island of Madeira, Portugal

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During our 3-week tour of Portugal and Spain, we spent a full 5 days on the island of Madeira. If you like green cliffs, old-European style homes, crystal clear turquoise water, and SEVERAL natural oceanic swimming pools and lagoons, this is a definitely an island worth visiting. The highways are steep and winding but full of character. One of our favorite beaches was the Black Sand of Seixal. There are three natural pools found in this tiny little town where the water is warm and full of little fish.
A must-do hike is Pico do Arieiro. The mid-section of this video is mostly this hike. We arrived just after sunrise to hike along steep cliffs and through tunnels above the clouds. It's a steady declined for several miles where if you have to hike back (don't have a car at the other peak), it's entirely uphill (as we had to do).
Madeira had some delicious wine, local beer, but best of all PONCHA! Poncha is an island made liquor found at many roadside huts. The best is Taberna da Poncha (found in the hills while en route from Funchal to Seixal). Here they muddle fresh island fruits to make some delicious adult beverages. Worth the stop! This drink is NOT allowed to be taken off island (it's like moonshine that is definitely not regulated).
We miss you, Madeira!!!
Category
PORTUGAL
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