Flight Lyon - Funchal

Madeira, a little lost paradise in the middle of the ocean, is not nicknamed the island of flowers for nothing! The luxuriant parks of its capital are worth a visit: the tropical gardens of Monte Palace offer a sumptuous panorama over the bay of Funchal. As for the Jardim Municipal, every summer it hosts the amazing World Music Raìzes do Atlântico festival.

Visiting Funchal, built on the mountainside, requires a bit of courage and good shoes! If a cable car allows the less daring to rally the summit of the city, '' Monte '', they can always catch up by using the local mode of locomotion for the way down: the wicker sled!

It is one of the favourite sites for marine enthusiasts. Shaped by erosion, the natural swimming pools of Porto Moniz, north of the Portuguese island, are protected from the ocean by a reef barrier. This allows the swimmers to enjoy calm and quiet water all year-round. This water is constantly refreshed by the tide. Magic!

The famous liqueur is an integral part of the Portuguese heritage! It would be hard to make a stopover in this vineyard cradle without stopping by the Institute of Wine, set up in an old colonial house. Epicureans will press on to the lovely museum located in an old wine cellar of Funchal.

Set up on three levels, the largest market on the island, quite literally a farmers' market, is accessible every day. Its central patio, the area for ​​pretty flower vendors in traditional garb, is surrounded by multicoloured stalls covered with fruit, chillies and vegetables, each one more fragrant than the last ... Enchanting!