We want to prove that there are as many ways to travel as there are individuals — so travel in exactly the way you like! Wehave teamed up with two content creators who will show you their unique takes on travel. A trip to Madeira themed around “Discover!” with @ann.sadowska and @samaprzezswiat is the first part of our series of influencer travel features. With eSky you can plan and organise every aspect of your trip, fully tailoring it to your own unique needs and preferences. This makes travelling your way as easy as possible!
Flight to Madeira
Landing on the runway at Madeira Airport is considered to be one of the most challenging approaches in the world for a pilot to undertake. “In my opinion, there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. The landing was pleasant and the views were spectacular”, explains @ann.sadowska. In good weather, you won’t even see any difference, other than the great views. . If that’s not enough to alleviate your nerves, just remember that every pilot landing in Madeira has to undergo special training to be perfectly prepared for all conditions, meaning you;re always in safe hands.
Getting round Madeira?
“It’s definitely best to rent a car. Prices vary, however daily rates tend to be lower out of season. You’ll also need a powerful engine as Madeira’s steep slopes and hairpin turns can be a challenge for drivers. It’s worth spending a little extra to ensure a reliable vehiclel here” advises Sabina from @samaprzezswiat.
Day 1
We spent our first evening in Madeira exploring the area around our hotel, which was located in the tiny and exceptionally picturesque town of Sao Vicente. The town features a beautiful black sand beach and is surrounded by the lush,green slopes of the mountains and waterfall. The town is charming — for me it is the quintessence of Madeira”, reports Ania, continuing, “We also did some shopping at the grocery store, where we searched for local gems. If you are looking for a way to save money while visiting Madeira, we recommend the Pingo Doce supermarket chain.”
Day 2
We started the second day with a visit to the utterly captivating Fanal Laurel Forest. According to Ania, “The Fanal Forest looks like it has come straight out of a fairy tale. Covered in a mysterious fog that soon lifted, this is nature at its best. This place was truly magical; a real otherworldly experience .” Sabina adds, “Although Fanal Forest is featured in all the tourist guides, you definitely have to visit. It is an absolutely unique place and it’s hard to find anything similar elsewhere ”.
Rent a car and book attraction tickets before you go!
From the forest, we travelled to Seixal, where we had lunch and saw a black beach which, according to @ann.sadowska, is Madeira’s most beautiful. “This landscape is stunning! Fine, black sand, a waterfall, the amazing turquoise of the ocean and, of course, the rugged mountains. Could you ask for anything more?” says Ania. “I’m not a beach expert, I’m definitely more into mountains and off-trail routes, but the black beach in Seixal is really impressive! – adds @samaprzeswiat.
Day 3
We started the next day with a visit to Funchal, where we visited the hipster district of Santa Maria. “The atmospheric, artistic streets of the Old Town are full of brightly-painted doors and restaurants, where locals invite passers-by to the table”explains Sabina. In Funchal, @ann.sadowska and @samaprzezswiat also tried their favourite Madeiran baked goods. “I definitely recommend Pastel de Nata (a Portuguese custard tard), preferably from a local, family-owned bakery. We ate these in Funchal at Padaria Pastelaria Mariazinha”- recounts Ania, as Sabina emphasises that ”The Portuguese are absolute geniuses in making pastries “.
Walking through the streets of the island’s capital, we couldn’t help thinking that everyone here is very friendly. “I was surprised how nice and welcoming the people here are. They are incredibly calm and friendly ” says Ania. Later we headed to the Cabo Girão viewpoint, located on Madeira’s highest cliff, at an altitude of 580 metres above sea level. “You can clearly see how well the island’s architecture is preserved and how uniform the buildings are – the orange roofs and pastel-coloured houses look really amazing!” – exclaims Sabina.
Day 4
The fourth day began with a trip to Cascata dos Anjos Waterfall, which falls directly onto the old road. Locals often refer to this place as a “free car wash”! Here, we found out how important patience is while travelling — at the beginning of our visit there were busy crowds, but after just a short while, only the two of us remained. Our next stop was St. Lawrence, which is significantly different from the rest of the island. Here you will find a typically volcanic, rugged landscape accompanied by the roar of waves crashing against the rocks.
Day 5
Day five saw us tackle the second-highest peak in Madeira — Pico de Areeiro, which is accessible by car. “Getting to the top will take about half an hour, and the landscape changes with every turn; from urban surroundings, we enter the wilderness of nature until eventually we drive through the clouds to find the real wilderness” – recounts @samaprzezswiat. “Pico de Areeiro made a great impression on me with its a wonderful views. You can even walk above the clouds. The route from Pico de Areeiro to Pico Ruivo, especially at sunrise or sunset, is spectacular” advises Ania.
Day 6
Well, the only thing left for us to do is to head home, with a short transfer in London and loads of happy memories! We asked the girls what their impressions were after our journey together: Sabina from @samaprzezswiat: “I feel very tired after our intensive exploring, but Madeira is still one of my favourite places in the world — I’d love to live there someday! It’s the perfect place for a quiet life as nobody is in a rush there, everyone lives at their own pace and it is absolutely beautiful. Madeira has everything — the ocean, mountains, beaches, friendly people… come and visit and you’ll surely be delighted”. Ania from @ann.sadowska: “I was completely charmed by Madeira, its amazing variety of attractions and the sheer greenery of the landscape. “
