Madeira Region

Madeira Wine Rally

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 00:00

The Madeira Wine Rally is known as one of the most important competitions of the European Rally Championship. Some of the most famed names in the world of intercontinental car racing usually participate in this rally, many times with the intention of testing their newest rigs. Thousands of people gather in the mountain sites of Madeira looking for the best areas in order to enjoy the cars in their best performance. For three days, from 5th to 7th August, 2010, the competitors will drive along the narrow and winding roads of Madeira Island, thrilling the public with their heroics.

Madeira's 2010/2011 Events

Friday, 21 May 2010 17:57

Madeira Island is not only famous for its Flower Festival and lively New Year's Eve party, there's a busy list of events organized throughout the year. Next up this year is the popular Atlantic Festival featuring a massive fireworks display, one of the most impressive in Europe. In early August, the Madeira Wine Rally takes place in various locations across the island and is part of the European Rally Championships. This is followed by the Madeira Wine Festival in September which has shows and exhibitions in the capital Funchal and the grape harvest in Câmara de Lobos.
On nearby Porto Santo, the Columbus Festival celebrates the life of one of the island's most famous former residents.

June 2010 (5th, 12th, 19th & 26th): Atlantic Festival
June 2010 (23rd to 25th): Classic Car Rally
August 2010 (5th to 7th): Madeira Wine Rally
September 2010 (2nd to 5th): Madeira Wine Festival
September 2010 (16th to 18th): Columbus Festival (on Porto Santo)
December 2010 (31st): New Year's Eve Festivities
March 2011 (5th & 8th): Carnival Party
May 2011 (7th & 8th): Madeira Flower Festival

The Moonlight Dinner at Reid’s is a unique and unforgettable experience

Thursday, 20 May 2010 00:00

Imagine the combination of these unique ingredients: a legendary hotel, quality food, an intimate ambience, exclusive and dedicated service and an atmosphere that compels romance, encouraged by the delicate sound of a violin or guitar. However, these words alone are far too simple to describe the Moonlight Dinner experience at Reid’s Palace Hotel. The meal is just one of the small details to have been introduced . Other changes include new menus in the restaurants and a more comprehensive selection at the hotel’s main bar, with a variety of gin, vodka, cognac and Caribbean rum. There is also a host of cocktails, aged Madeira wine and a delicious gin and tonic with a drop of cucumber juice and cucumber peel. Suggestions also include a number of Dry Martini creations, one of which is the Madeirini, a mixture of 10-year-old Madeira wine with Grey Goose vodka. Another creation is the Reidstini, a mixture of 1974 Madeira wine and Wybrowa vodka. But nothing exceeds the Moonlight Dinner experience, where one can choose from five locations in the gardens and four dishes from the dinner menu, which includes options such as lobster, turbot, lamb, veal, black truffles and duck Foie Gras. Madeira wine makes a addition to some of the meals. The meal is served by a butler, who begins by serving champagne and canapés in the guests’ room before accompanying them through the gardens to where the dinner will be served, surrounded by candles for a truly romantic ambience. The musician, whether it is a violinist or a guitarist, is poised to play classical music as you enjoy your dinner for two.  The sound of the ocean complements the romantic music, in a location where everything else is silent and completely tranquil.

More flights to Madeira

Friday, 14 May 2010 00:00

Flights to Madeira Island this year will increase and be serviced by new air companies from various European cities. Now, more than twenty five international companies connect the UK with Funchal. In February the tour operator Atlantic Holidays, announced a charter service between London and Porto Santo. On 21st February Finnish operators began five new charter flights to Madeira. The English airline Jet2.com has a new direct connection every Monday between Manchester and Madeira.. Forecasts for hotel occupancy rates, based on statistics from the Portuguese government, range from 66% - 80%