Its the birthplace of the most expensive footballer, Churchill painted it, and we all drink the wine and eat the cake.

All in all Madeira is a great place for a cruise stop. It is not a big island and so there is a possibility of getting a real taste of it (excuse the pun) in just one day.

The Waters of the Gulf Stream give it warm comfortable summers and mild winters which makes it a popular port call for many liners including Cunard, P&O, Costa and Royal Caribbean.

I went for a walk around the beautiful Eastern part, Ponta de São Lourenço where there are tremendous rock formations leading right out to sea. It is possible to climb up and see both the northern and southern side of the island and the rugged natural beauty, which is totally untouched by civilisation. However warm the day the weather seems to change with each turn in the route depending on the rocks shading the way, so that although it was August it was never unbearably hot.

Further inland there are remnants of the laurissilva foliage, which originally covered the island. In fact the name Madeira comes from the word for forest as the first settlers had to set it all on fire in order to be able to make their way inland. Now it is possible to see the remnants of these woods walking along the Levadas – man made channels that carry the water down from the mountainside springs to irrigate the lowlands. These narrow watercourses go downhill, bubbling with energy and their banks are often festooned with wild flowers. Walking by the side of them with a guide and a good map is a great way to spend some time.

Anyone wanting a gentler pursuit may prefer to go shopping around the colonial looking capital, Funchal, now known particularly as the birthplace of one of football’s superstars, Cristiano Ronaldo. He still appears on the back of my son’s Manchester United shirt but his £80 million move to Madrid has made the shirt somewhat less valuable!

Here the pedestrian precinct contains a car showroom such as I have never seen before, covered as it is in traditional Portuguese painted blue tiles. Further along is the late-gothic Manueline Cathedral quite an architectural masterpiece with an interior ceiling of juniper wood and ivory inlay. Nearer the centre, by the port is a futuristic looking cable car, which takes visitors sedately up the mountain. For the brave, there is a much more interesting way of coming down! The traditional wicker toboggans have two men in a smart uniform steering at speed on the steep roads to the bottom again!

While getting your breath back you may, for a more cultural perspective visit, as I did, The Madeira Story Centre. This is an interactive museum with information on the Archipelago’s history from its volcanic origins right up to the up-market hydroplanes that took, mainly aristocratic visitors, to the island, before the airport was built. After this it might seem quite appropriate to have a civilised afternoon tea in a hotel such as the 5 star Quinta da Vistas, that provides superb views of Funchal and the surrounding seacape – truly living up to its name!

Lucy Daltroff

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