There’s no shortage of wonderful gastronomic delights to tantalise your taste buds in Madeira, with fresh vegetables, meat, fish and tropical fruits figuring prominently in flavoursome dishes across the island. You’ll discover several Michelin-starred restaurants, plus a plethora of superb steakhouses and seafood restaurants.

 Fresh tuna steak with fried maize is a local favourite and Carne de vinha d’alhos is a much-loved Madeira dish consisting of small chunks of pork meat marinated in garlic and wine for a couple of days, and then cooked in the marinade. Filete de Espada is Black Scabbard fish fillet, a much-loved dish usually served with fried banana, potatoes and salad, while Espetada is beef with salt, garlic and bay leaves on a skewer, roasted on a brazier and served with Bolo do caco, a tasty Madeiran bread.

 Scrumptious desserts in Madeira include bolo de mel is a fabulous cake dating back to the 15th century which is made with honey, almonds, walnuts, cinnamon and other spices, while passion fruit pudding consists of fresh passion fruit pulp, jelly, condensed milk and cream. Madeira fortified wine is famous around the globe which is often enjoyed as an aperitif or with a dessert, and Poncha is a very popular alcoholic drink made from sugar cane rum, honey, and lemon juice.

Madeira enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate all year round, which makes it ideal for visiting the island on a cruise at a time which appeals most to you. The island rarely gets very hot or extremely wet, but the prevalence of huge mountains creates various micro-climates. The north and east of Madeira is slightly wetter and cooler than the south as these areas have less protection from the trade winds from the north east. The island often enjoys the benefits of warm winds blowing over from North Africa.
The average temperature in Madeira rarely falls below the mid-20s, while the average monthly rainfall is 9mm in the summer and 81 during winter months of December to February. August is the hottest month on the island with an average temperature of 22.5°C and the coldest month is January with an average temperature of 16°C. The best time for a beach holiday in Madeira is between June and October when sea temperatures average 23°C.      

Madeira may be small in size but it’s brimming with fabulous things to see and do. Most of the island’s beaches are pebbly but there’s still plenty of activity going on along the promenades and no shortage of water sports action in the glistening waters which include jet skiing, parasailing, paddle boarding and windsurfing. You can also head off into the sea for an exciting whale or dolphin watching adventure or take a pleasant ferry trip over to the charming island of Porto Santo, with its golden sands, natural beauty and excellent restaurants. Explore the subtropical surroundings at Parque Forestal de Queimadas, dive beneath the waves to discover turtles, octopus, moray eels and grouper, or enjoy a Madeira wine-tasting tour of one of the island’s vineyards.
 Key attractions in this enchanting island include, the Cape Girão clifftop observation deck, Ponta de São Lourenço, Ponta de São Lourenço, Monte Palace Madeira and Pico Ruivo, the highest point on the island. Main attractions in the capital Funchal include Madeira Botanical Garden, Monte Toboggan Run, the bustling farmers' market, Sacred Art Museum, Funchal Cathedral and the Old Town. The island’s annual festivals are definitely worth checking out including the Carnival of Madeira before Easter which is like a mini version of the legendary Rio Carnival, with lively dance troupes and samba bands. Popular outdoor activities on the island include hiking, boating trips, kayaking, diving, quad biking, canyoning and rappelling, mountain biking and buggy tours.