Palheiro Estate

LEVADA WALKING - Walking is often the best way to experience the wondrous and thrilling landscapes of Madeira. The courses laid out for walks are breathtaking, winding along trails and paths through the majestic peaks and deep gorges of the island, or along the rugged coastline of the island. Many walks follow the "levadas", small water courses built by man for irrigation purposes, veritable "levadas" which criss-cross the island in all directions. They run along the contours of the island transporting water from the north side to the south side and providing the ideal way to see the very different landscapes and types of flora and fauna to be found on the island. The walking is easy, if a little vertiginous. In fact, many a love affair with Madeira has started with the discovery of the levadas. They are unique in their accessibility and extent (presently 2150km) and deserve appreciation not only for their beauty and design, but also for the courage and determination needed to bring the concept to its present glory. For more advanced walkers and climbers there are challenging routes over the interior mountains. Botanists can find endless delight in the Botanical gardens and other beautiful gardens open to the public at the Quintas of Palheiro Ferreiro, Monte, Palmeira and Boa Vista. The wild garden of Madeira can be experienced whilst travelling into the countryside where hydrangeas and agapanthus grow wild along the road side, or better still, by walking the levadas and coastal paths.

MADEIRA WINE COMPANY - Madeira Wine is perhaps Madeira's most famous product, and for many people, the Blandy name is synonymous with the wine. The first Blandy to settle on the island, John Blandy, arrived in 1807, and had established himself by 1811, purchasing a house and adjacent wine stores at number 8, Rua de Sao Francisco. These have become The Old Blandy Wine Lodges, wich are still working lodges open to the public, welcoming approximately 200,000 visitors per year. In 1989 the Symington family took a controlling share in the Madeira Wine Company, adding Madeira to their existing Port wine portfolio. This has enabled the Madeira Wine Company to benefit from the larger Port wine marketing and distribution network, vital to ensure Madeira's survival as a specialist wine in the marketplace.

Visit the Madeira Wine Company website here -

SCUBA DIVING - The popular diving club can be easily reached with an elevator and is the only base in the underwater national park of Madeira. It's only a few steps away from the domestic reef with a large number of fish which you can discover by yourself with dive buddy or with a guide from the diving base.

The base is furnished with up-to-date rental equipment and is maintained and checked by skilled personnel. A sufficient equipment selection is available for underwater sports. Beginners and advanced students are trained according to CMAS/DTSA and Padi. There is also the possibility to achieve different brevets up to the diving teacher assistant.

Don't forget to bring your medical certificate and diving license.