"Island of Flora and Fauna " a Madeira Island Travel Page by SabrinaSummerville

Although I had heard of Madeira, nothing could have prepared me for the natural beauty that is this island.

Our flight landed late at night and we boarded a tiny minibus to take us to our hotel. The property was perched almost at the top of the highest mountain on Madeira (perhaps, indeed, the only mountain) and as we climbed and negotiated the hairpin bends I was bewitched by the changing scenery, the locals on their decks and in their gardens which were all dotted with pretty fairy lights, and the scent in the air ..... full of flowers and, later, the scent of pine as we climbed higher and higher.

When we got to our hotel we emerged in the middle of a forest and the air was heavy with that same smell of pine which lingered in the dampness of the night dew and clung to our clothes, hair and skin.

The following morning when we awoke I thought it was still the middle of the night as it was completely dark. Checking my watch I realised it was close to 8.30am and, crawling from the bed, I threw open the wide patio door from my room and walked out onto our wooden deck. The sky was filled with fog - then quickly I realised that this wasn't fog, it was cloud! So high were we in the mountains that the early morning clouds covered our world turning day into night.

Perhaps we were staying in the most suitable hotel for nature lovers, as we were surrounded by forest. As we sat reading on our deck in one of the two wooden loungers set out for our comfort we looked out on shrubs and plants and flowers entangled in a colourful mix at the edge of our deck.

Taking a walk just a couple of steps from our little chalet bedroom brought us to a levada walk through the forests and hills of Madeira. These walks are dotted throughout the island and are a virtual haven for nature lovers.

There's a chair lift from the town to the top of the mountain and although I didn't have time to do this I believe that the views from there are out of this world.

For those among us who are adventurous there's the toboggan ride down the mountain from the top of the chair lift station. I hear it's a breathtaking ride - literally!

There is an array of first class restaurants in the town of Funchal and you will easily find something different and tasty every night and to suit every pocket.

The hotels, too, are in general of a very high standard and in the higher rated categories. It used to be that this island had a reputation for attracting a much older category of tourist - this is no more. Given the wealth of natural beauty and great restaurants it now attracts nature lovers and gastronomes alike (and of all ages).