Hi Peter,

We were in Funchal in May and you will find the cable car if when you leave the dockside just you follow the promenade along the station is virtually on the seafront. Regarding coach tours there are a multitude of them and I am sure that you will be offered these on board your liner, if this is not what you want I believe their are many kiosks on the sea front offering different tours. If you have time a good day out at least it was for us is to take the Rodeste local bus service to Porto Moniz on which you will see the middle of the island enroute and then catch the 4 oclock bus back to Funchal which covers the west side. It is a rickety old bus but a good way of seeing the locals at large.

Enjoy, we hope to go again perhaps next March.

Dave

Dave,

Thank you for you swift reply.

Anyone know of this place?

Dom Pedro Garajau Hotel

Just wondering where it is and what's near it? Bars, restaurants, shops etc.

What is the cheapest way to transfer from Funchal airport to Hotel Jardins d'Ajuda, Funchal, which I believe is about 30/40 minutes drive? Would be grateful for any advice. Also, are there any festivals or events in Madeira during the week 17/24 September?

September

Madeira Wine Festival 5th, 6th and 7th September
Recalling the social and economic importance of Madeira wine by reliving old wine-growing traditions, the Madeira Wine Festival is held in September during the main period of grape harvesting.

The festival begins in the village of Câmara de Lobos with the actual picking of the grapes, the pickers' parade, the treading of the grapes and other related traditions that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. In the centre of Funchal, the Madeira Wine Festival includes light, sound and folk shows, all related to old wine-making traditions, and many stands serve the for the season typical Madeiran food and drink specialities.


Columbus Festival
This event is dedicated to the great navigator Christopher Columbus who had a close connection to Madeira and also lived a few years in Porto Santo. This week-long festival is held in Vila Baleira on Porto Santo Island and features lots of music, drama, exhibitions, parades and street parties, recalling the glorious times of the Portuguese discoveries.

Columbus' first visit to Madeira was in 1478, as in those times Funchal was an important sugar trade centre. However, his closest ties to the archipelago are resulting from his marriage to Filipa Moniz, daughter of the first captain-donee of Porto Santo.

Columbus lived in the archipelago during the last quarter of the 15th century and his first child Diogo was born in Porto Santo. This festival recalls the discoverer's life in the Madeira Archipelago, his voyages to the Americas and the glorious times of the Great Discoveries.

The highlight of this week crammed with history is the re-enactment of Columbus' and his party's arrival in Porto Santo's harbour.

Thanks Dan. We're not there until the 17th so will miss the wine festival. Hopefully will be there for the Columbus Festival.

ive just got round to booking the flights to madeira and im so glad i waited as ive got a fantastic price £93 return for 2 of us !!!, but a week earlier than planned ,so going end of nov for 5 nights into beginning of dec . ive decided to use up some airmiles for my hotel now, which is restricting me to only 3 choices but means i wont have much money to add, so im well pleased with my bargain break

We beat you by £2. Ref my post a year earlier, we decided to buy a villa in Madeira and are delighted with our purchase. I still have a lot to learn about the island, but if anyone wants any help I'll try.