DestinAsian – August 01, 2019

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DESTINASIAN.COM – AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2019

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GOOD TO GO NEXT STOP

Rugged rural scenery

around São Vicente,

a village on Madeira’s

northern coast.

MADEIRA MAGIC

A remote Portuguese outpost marooned in the North Atlantic,

roughly 700 kilometers off the Moroccan coast, Madeira rewards

those who brave the hair-raising approach at its cliff-top airport

with a dizzying variety of volcanic landscapes to explore, stately

Baroque churches, and, for football fans, a museum dedicated

to native son Cristiano Ronaldo. The mild climate and fertile soil

make this island an agricultural wonderland; grapes grown here

are harnessed in Madeira’s namesake fortified wine. Today, local

vinho undergoes a unique oxidation process to mimic the long

voyages that transformed the taste of vintages

shipped out in centuries past. Oenophiles

can get a closer look at traditional production

methods and even tread grapes at the Madeira

Wine Festival (visitmadeira.pt), an annual

jamboree held during the harvest. This year,

the event runs from August 25 to September 8,

coinciding with celebrations to mark 600 years

since the island’s discovery. —James Louie

has hosted the likes

of Winston Churchill

and Gregory Peck. It

emerged from a facelift

two years ago, but

retains a retro feel and

classic experiences like

high tea on the terrace.

Don’t Miss

A meal of espada, or

black scabbard fish, at

Funchal’s Restaurante

Casa Madeirense

(casamadeirense-

funchal.com). This

local specialty is often

battered and fried with

a banana, then served

in a passion-fruit sauce.

What Else?

Local outfitter

Madeira Outdoor

(madeiraoutdoor.com)

provides a multitude

of ways to take in the

island’s natural beauty,

from canyoning and

jeep tours to dolphin-

watching cruises.

Getting There

TAP Airlines Portugal

(flytap.com) flies from

Lisbon to Madeira’s

capital, Funchal,

multiple times a day.

The island is also

connected to major

European cities like

London and Frankfurt.

Where to Stay

Ensconced in lush cliff-

top gardens above the

Atlantic, the 128-year-

old Belmond Reid’s

Palace (351-291/717-

171; belmond.com;

doubles from US$332)