Pinsendam in Funchal today

[kura]

http://www.madeira-web.com/camera/cam-03.html

[jhannah]

Thanks for the link. That's one I had not seen. Lovely day there!

[luv2cruise450]

Thanks ...enjoyed the Prinsendam very much and Funchal, Madeira has been one of our favorite ports of call...it's so lush and beautiful....we got to visit it on each of our transatlantic cruises! If you are there right now Kura...enjoy your visit!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

She is still there right now and quite lovely in the evening. I always love seeing the ships lit up at night:)

 

[ninkb]

I'm looking for ideas of what to do in Funchal when we're there in Nov. We love the out of doors. Have you taken formal tours or just done your own thing? Any suggestions will be very much appreciated from you or anyone else who has been there.

 

Thanks!

:):):) ninkb

[luv2cruise450]

Hi...Madeira is a volcanic island that is fascinating....you will be most likely docked where it is very much a working dock and they don't want you walking thru there...so there might be a shuttle to get you from the ship to the outside dock area (or you can grab one of the cabs that are waiting there...one time when we were there....the town had a shuttle for the pax that got you to just outside of the dock area and the other times we had to get a cab upon debarkation)...from there you can walk into the downtown area or you could grab a cab or the bus to get you there. If it's your first time there...you can get a cab to take you on an 'island' tour just to get a feel for its diversity (they will usually charge by the hour). This will give you a taste of how the villagers live, and see the amazing landscapes outside of Funchal. The first time we did this...we 'booked' him for 3 hours since some of the roads are hilly & narrow and it takes a while to get around. Then you can have them drop you off in the 'downtown' area and you can walk around there. I recommend that if you can...go to the cable car that will take you up to Monte and from there you can wait and go down on a wicker basket sled! It is very unique and partway down...the sled 'guides' will pause for a moment and one of their photographers will get a pix of you in the sled and they will have it ready to sell to you by the time you finish your ride (it's only a few minutes long)!! And the sled guides do expect a tip at the end of your ride.

Another thing to do is go to one of the wineries and take their tour to see how Madeira wine is made...my DH always buys a bottle or two (depending on how much longer our cruise is since he enjoys a glass of it in our stateroom and sharing it with our tablemates).

As you walk around town...notice the beautiful mosaic streets and the churches! And also go to the Mercado dos Lavradores in town...it has such an array of agricultural goods...the flowers are simply so gorgeous and reasonable...DH always buys me a bouquet and our room attendant always finds a vase for us!

Hope this helps a little....Anyway...have a great visit!

 

Betty

[ninkb]

Thanks a million! That's exactly the kind of info we need. Wish I had your input on all our ports!!!

 

:):):) ninkb