After exploring Funchal, we were ready to explore the rest of the island. To do so, we arranged for an 8-hour private tour with Hit the Road Madeira. Our driver was Fabio and he was so fun and informative!
One of the most important things we learned about from Fabio was how Madeira's tunnels have transformed travel around the island. In the olden days, it could take as many as eight hours to drive completely around the island - now it can be done in just under an hour. Madeira's earliest tunnels were known as furados (holes) and until the 1930s there were fewer than 30 of them. Today there are 150 tunnels on the island - most of them finished relatively recently by 2012. Fabio explained that after the Covid lockdowns, the pent-up demand for travel along with Madeira's completed tunnel system led to an explosion of tourism in Madeira. There are many young entrepreneurs like he and his boss that were in the right place at the right time to take advantage of all the people wanting to come to Madeira. However, this huge increase in tourism had brought some difficulties for the locals. Housing and rental prices have sky-rocketed and parking is a nightmare for the locals. These changes have meant that many locals who have always lived in Funchal are now feeling forced to move further up the mountain.
Shortly after leaving Funchal to head to the north shore of the island we learned about all the different microclimates on Madeira. It was warm and sunny in Funchal when we left and shortly we traveled to an area that was cool, misty and windy. So we stopped for a break to have something hot to drink.
We then headed to Porto Moniz where natural pools have been formed by volcanic rock on the seafront. There is an area that has been used by locals for years along with a more developed tourist area for people who want to experience the sea pools.
From there we went to the Fanal Forest one of the most magical and photographed places on the island.
It's part of an ancient, prehistoric laurel forest that once covered most of Southern Europe. The forest holds centuries old twisted laurel trees that look mystical. It was amazing.
Our next stop was for a late lunch at a traditional Portuguese restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious meal. Chanda ordered Espetada, Madeira's signature dish which is large pieces of beef on a laurel wood skewer grilled over an open fire.
After visiting the forest, we continued south through the island interior towards the south coast. When we arrived at Ponta do Sol, the weather was once again warm and sunny.
As the name suggests, Ponta so Sol is the island's sunniest spot.
We then traveled back along the coastline making several stops along the way.
The views of the mountains and the sea were particularly beautiful at Camara de Lobes.
Our final stop before heading back to Funchal was in Câmara de Lobos, a charming fishing villas featuring a harbor filled with colorful boats. It is also famous because Winston Churchill would come to Câmara de Lobos to paint.
We had a wonderful day with Fabio and learned so much!
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