Madeira

[chazza]

Has anyone on here been there for a holiday? What were your opinions of it?

[Hymie]

A bit quiet (not that much to do/see), although there are a few night clubs around, if you like that kind of thing. Cheap eating out, at restaurants in Funchal.

I would say it was one for the older generation (50+) � locals very friendly, I got the impression that if I dropped a banknote, a local would pick it up and return it to me.

[wilmay]

Have to agree with the previous answer. We went in August ,and I was a bit disappointed with the weather - it was cloudy a lot of the time though still warm. There are loads of restaurants, and it is cheap to eat out. You must go up in the cable car and slide down in a toboggan - hair raising to say the least!

[vehelpfulguy]

I have never been there but spoken to friends who have been.

It is a very beautiful island with loads of mountains and flora and fauna so if you are in to nature it will suit you down to the ground.

I believe there are not many beaches (volcanic island) so it does not attract the young morons who think all a holiday consists of is getting drunk, getting itno fights and sleeping around.

I believe it is more suited to an "older" group of people.

You can read comments here

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Tourism-g189165-Made ira_Islands-Vacations.html

You can see pictures here (click on previous and next to step through them)

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/LocationPhotos-g1891 65-Madeira_Islands.html#18093344

Click on the small black trianlge in the bottom right to move to the next set of photos.

[bubbles4920]

very quiet and picturesque, funchal is very nice and the port /harbour is good to walk around. my main memory is that it can be quite hilly, even in the town itself.

[lilacben]

It is very pretty and very quite. The hills are a nightmare!! you cannot go anywhere without having to go up and down a lot of hilly places.

[delboy3]

I had my honeymoon there a few years ago, and yes it is a much calmer, picturesque and genteel place than the usual Mediterranean chav magnets.

Must-do's include the levada walks, the cable car, the diabolical street toboggan, and the restaurants along the lido.

[thugulike]

Fine if you're over 70. No beaches and many hills. Lots of lovely flowers though if that rings your bell. Restaurants all offer much the same food so that gets very repetitive. I wouldn't go again although mr thug liked it.

[chazza]

Sounds nice but I think we're a bit young for it!

Back to the drawing board!

[Dee Sa]

I agree its for a quieter type holiday, and quite a few groups on walking hols too.
Hire a car and do the island in your own time,away from Funchal the locals are friendly and very helpful and hospitable and will cook you a meal even if they re closed.
The coach trips are expensive and only do half the island in a day, so its costly, much better to hire a small automatic [ its hilly]car. Dont forget the down hill ride in the trad wicker basket and though I am no gardener the horticultural gardens were lovely.

[Jenga]

I stayed in the capital Funchal and I thought it was a lovely place. Just don't book a hotel on a hill, they are like mountains. The beach was dirty nobody used it. They swim at man made places like lidos which are just off the sea. The parks were beautiful. I would recommend it if you like flowers and scenery.

I think you already said you thought you were too young. Over 70 is an exageration but it is a nice quiet holiday with more flora and fauna if you appreciate that type of thing.

[thugulike]

If you want a sunny holiday without too long a flight why not try Aqaba in Jordan or Red Sea Egypt?

[KARL]

Those who want to drink most of their waking hours will not like this place and because they tend to stay away it is a brilliant retreat. Those who are unfit will similarly not like it and as a result you don't see grossly overweight or such sad cases there. Those who have no appreciation of natural beauty and are generally lacking in joy of any surroundings that do not have walls and a ceiling, are put off by Madeira. Those who can't choose and set their own pace and noise levels well down the scale no doubt detest the place. Maybe this leaves only the over 70 age group, although I nevertheless was very taken by it and have arranged that I can go back there at least every two years. My 70th birthday lies well in the future.