Madeira Destination Guide

Madeira

Published: Wednesday, 23 January 2008, 5:18PM

Sarah vists the Atlantic island of Madeira, where she learns more about the famous wine, hikes in the mountains and finds out how the island's trying to attract a new wave of holidaymakers.

Sarah starts in Funchal, and tests the tropical fruit at its vibrant market. Here, she also comes face to face with the evil looking black scabbard fish, which she finds distinctly more appetising when it appears on her lunch plate.

Paying a visit to the Old Blandy Wine Lodge, Sarah delves further into the history of Madeira's biggest export. She discovers more about the famous fortified wine and samples a very special 100-year-old bottle. Her table manners desert her as she indulges in a spot of luxury and a traditional afternoon tea at Madeira's first five-star hotel.

In 1983, Chris Kelly reported from the island and discovered that the transport of choice from the mountain village of Monte to Funchal was in "a sledge built like a basket". We revisit the activity, which is still high on the agenda for today's tourist.

Gina Leach first visited Madeira at the age of seven and was inspired to move there by her parents. After an 18-month search, she found her dream home in 2002. She shows us a side of Madeira the tourists don't usually see and gets drawn into a boisterous singsong with the locals after a few draughts of the local brew.

•  

  

  Join in the debate

  Watch highlights of Britain's pemier afternoon chat show and check out recipes

•  

  

  Delicious dishes

  This Morning's Pudding Club has a whole range of tasty deserts for you to try out

Top Three Highlights

• Take traditional afternoon tea at Reid's Palace
  
• Travel by toboggan from Monte to Funchal
  
• Pick up some local specialities in Funchal's market