An Essex Wedding - Mar/Apr 2017 (Issue 79)

NEED TO KNOW... Language: Portuguese Capital: Funchal Currency: Euro Climate: Subtropical National dish: Espetada Famous for: Madeira wine Venetian-style crab, followed by ricotta and spinach tortellini for main and a cheesecake with cherry compote for dessert – a must- have if you’re visiting the hotel. We then retired to our room where I had the best night’s sleep I’d had in a long time. MIND YOUR STEP The following morning, we checked out of the Belmond Reid’s Palace and got ready to experience the adrenaline-filled activity known as canyoning. I must admit I’d never tried it before and started to feel slightly anxious. However, our lovely guides from Madeira Adventure Kingdom helped keep us calm and supplied us with the necessary equipment. We spent the next few hours walking through the countryside, abseiling and zip lining down waterfalls. This was the highlight of the trip for me, it was a truly exhilarating experience and is something I’d love to do again. PURE RELAXATION After an eventful morning, we visited the Quinta do Furão restaurant where we enjoyed a three-course lunch. I started with the duck, which came in a delicious barbecue sauce, and for dessert I tried a chocolate pudding that was so good I would have happily eaten two! After lunch we checked into our second accommodation the Castanheiro Boutique Hotel – this four-star hotel is situated in the heart of Funchal in the historical zone. We spent the afternoon enjoying the rooftop pool and hot tub, surrounded by beautiful views of the city. After a few hours of pure bliss we tried a traditional Espetada dinner at the Adega da Quinta restaurant. This dish is usually beef served on a skewer that’s attached to the ceiling, it’s a delicious delicacy that I’d definitely recommend. A THING OF BEAUTY The following morning I woke up in a king-sized bed overlooking the city and felt extremely grateful to be at such a beautiful destination. We took a trip to the island’s natural infinity pools and enjoyed a swim in the beautiful waters before heading back to the hotel ready for an afternoon of pampering. I enjoyed a full-body massage and spent the rest of the afternoon in the indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, making the most of the luxurious amenities available. The staff were lovely and went out of their way to make sure I felt comfortable and had a relaxing experience. That evening we went to the Nini Design Centre, a museum that showcases the famous Nini Andrade Silva’s work but also doubles as a restaurant. We got to take a look at some of her impressive collection before beginning our three-course meal. It was delicious and I got to try my first ever crème brûlée, something I wish I’d done years ago. After dinner we walked back to the hotel through the city and got to see its vibrant nightlife come alive. Waking up the next morning I felt a sense of disappointment to be leaving – Madeira went beyond my expectations and is a destination that I’m keen to visit again. ♥ BOOK IT: ♥ Belmond Reid’s Palace | belmond.com ♥ Discovering Madeira | discoveringmadeira.com ♥ Espaço Cafe | facebook.com/ espacofunchalrestaurante/ ♥ Quinta do Furão | quintadofurao.com ♥ Castanheiro Boutique Hotel | castanheiroboutiquehotel.com ♥ Madeira Adventure Kingdom | madeira-adventure-kingdom.com ♥ Adega da Quinta Restaurant | quintadoestreitomadeira.com ♥ Nini Design Centre | ninidesigncentre.com 121 HONEYMOONS