Travel Answers

We are traveling to Funchal in September and staying at the Porto Santa Maria. I have heard mixed reports on the work been carried out on the sea front. Can any VT living there give me an update? Many thanks, Steve

Where can I get it? Price?

I'm planning to travel to the island of Madeira and have more or less decided which hotel to book (lots of sites to book through) but unsure if i should book to eat my meals at the hotel or risk and eat out. I'm finding it a little hard to find actual info about restaurants (prices, locations, cuisine types) and some of the restaurants i have found have very few reviews and no photos. Does anyone know where i can find ths kind of info and hopefully some photos of the restaurants in Madeira? Thanks

Hi Does anyone know if there are daily cannons fired in Funchal at specific times?

Hello, My girlfriend and I are staying at the hotel Estalagem Encumeada, located at FEITEIRAIS-SERRA DE AGUA 9350-000 between the 14th and 21st. In an effort to save money, we'd like to get up there by bus from Funchal. I've read that there's a stop outside, but not had much luck finding out what bus goes there, when. I see that it shouldn't be too hard to get to ribeira brava itself,, but can anybody advise upon how to make it up to the hotel? Many thanks in advance!!!!! Matthew.

We are two couples aged 60+ from Norway, who are looking for a good restaurant to spend the New Year's Eve in Funchal. We are looking for a place with reasonably good food, and a good "ambiance" as the French put it. Not too formal, and possibly with some good music to take a spin on the dance floor .... We have heard that the fireworks in Funchal are fantastic, so we would of course prefer a place where we could come outside and watch this attraction as well. I should mention that this is our very first trip to Madeira, and that we arrive on the 31 December, so we have to book a table in advance to be sure to have somewhere to go..... We are staying in the centre of Funchal. (Avenida do Infante.) But we are prepared to go somewhere outside the centre if that is sounds more tempting. We would appreciate suggestions from more seasoned travellers, or even better, from the locals.

I stayed at the regency club for 10 days this month and liked the hotel and funchal. whilest there I was offered a flexitime contract for a one bed appartment. anyone used this this scheme or can recommend it?

Hi all We are going to Funchal on 30th June and I have read lots regarding what to do and see. Are there any hidden gems that we should include in our trip especially in Funchal. What are the best shopping areas and any advice on restaurants/bars worth a visit. I am also considering hiring a car so that we can see more of the island. Is driving about an good option. Are roads very busy or is it more a leisurely pace ? Any help would be very much appreciated. By the way we are staying at the Hotel Savoy Gardens many thanks Michael

Is the water warm enough to swim in Jan and Feb? What is the best area to rent an apartment in? How hard is it to bring a dog from the USA? Thanks John

Some years ago we had two wonderful holidays at the Madeira Palacio Hotel in Funchal. However, it closed in 2006 for renovations and doesn't seem to have re-opened. I've searched the Internet and looked on Google Earth, where I can see what appears to be a giant building site in that location. I would love to know what's happening with it so does anyone know?

Hi We stayed at The Cliff Bay a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the spa. We are returning to madeira later this year although we will be staying elsewhere. We were wondering if anyone knows whether it is possible to visit The Cliff Bay spa as a non resident of the hotel and if so, how much it costs. Thanks in anticipation

Dear forun, I have twice stayed in Vlia Teresinha on Rua das Cruzes, it is quite a steep climb from Aveida do Mar. Just as I was leeving Last year I was informed that there was a Bus Service that ran along Rua das Cruzes I never saw this bus. Can someone advise me of the service No, full route, & stopping places please. this climb is nothing for the young & fit, but I am now 72 yrs old and this bus would be a God Send. I have booked again arriving February If you know of this bus please respond Seasonal Greetings mocall

Is there some bus connection? The route and timetable? 7 days tourist tickets? Fare price? Where to buy the ticket?

We are in Funchal for one day (a Sunday) and want to go to Monte. My wife doesn't do cable cars so the idea is we take a bus. There seems to be a reasonable bus service but can anyone advise how long the bus trip takes.

Will be arriving at Madeira airport on 4 October before noon. What are the options of getting to the Lido area by public transportation? The Dorisol Hotels have a free shuttle service to the city. I'm wondering if I and my suitcase could get to one of these hotels from the city? I would stay at one of these hotels. Should I stay in the city and bus to the ocean area? Also wondering if the Lido area will be deserted,at this time of year? Obligado.

On Nov. 29th we arrive and want to "see it all" with an English speaking driver (non smoker) in a full day trip. We three are travel agents and are looking to find a good resource for future guests as well.

could anyone tell me what there is to do n where to go in funchal also for kids as well and what there is there and is it a big place and and would i need to hire a car to get to these places any suggestions and any extra info will be appreciated thanks

Hi, guys! Do you know about the existence in Funchal of any volunteer organizations whose focus of interest is related to any of the following: social work, environment conservation. animal shelters? Is there a way of getting into touch with them and offering to work for them on a volunteer basis? Thank you Peter.

Dear fellow VT, for health reasons, I am planning to spend some time in Funchal, this heaven on earth, however, my budget only allows me to spend a limited some of money on accomodation. I envisage spending in Funchal at least 1 year. Please help me with concrete suggestions. Many thanks. Mircea

I have booked a privately owned apartment on this complex for one week. After reading about the area I am a little concerned. There are accounts of a tunnel which we would have to walk through to get into town and people report there are not many amenities around. The apartment owner calls the area "west lido"... What is this area like etc etc... many thanks Emma

Hi, could anyone tell me how much a pint of beer is, and how much would I expect to pay on average for an evening meal for two. Many thanks.

Hi, I'll be visting Funchal, Madeira next week for a conference. The conference venue is located in Tivoli Madeira Hotel, which I can find on Google map. The hotel however is named Vila Camacho, the website says it is located at Beco Do Amoreira 26 but I cannot locate this on Google map. I can say where is it approximately, it's about 10km from the conference venue but no online map shows the exact place. Can someone help me finding this place? I'm specially interested to know if there is bus trips available between the two locations? Thanks, - Ali

planning to visit royal savoy - could you inform me whether its walking distance to the town and shops. also how much it is by taxi from airport. thanks sam

Me and my boyfriend are about to travel to Funchal on May the 11th for one week. We would like to spend our time quite active and see as much as possible:) Just enjoy our time. Maybe some of you guys living in Funchal would have time to show us around, or maybe have some interesting ideas for us f.ex. where it would be good to go for bicycle trip. I know that area is pretty steep and I didn't actually find much info about Madeira bicycling. Or maybe someone knows an interesting web site within the subject? Another thing is that Funchal has suffered the flood and most of the infos are frome the time before it, so it would be great to have some feedback...I appriciate any ideas or clues:) Happy travels tou you all:)

Hi, we are arriving at this hotel tomorrow for a week. We have never been to Madeira before and really looking forward to it. My other half and I will try to fit in as much as possible during our week's stay so, if you've been recently, what would you suggest are the must do / must sees. Thanks for your suggestions!

can anyone tell me if you can drink the tap water? thanks!

Are there vehicles that accommodate mobility scooters in Funchal? Are there wheelchair accessible tours?

Hi, Would anyone know where I could look to find an apartment in central Funchal (not the hotels part 2 km out, I mean the city centre itself). Any websites you can book through, agencies, people who have flats to rent? It would be for a T2 type apartment, for a week in early December. Thanks!!

Hello, I'd like to book a week's holiday at beginning of December. What can we expect in Funchal weather wise for our break? Thank you in anticipation of a reply. regards alex

Hi, is there anybody who knows where "Largo Do Chafariz 20" is in Funchal, Madeira? Is there any online map with this place? I tried with google map but they don't show such a place and viamichelin.com doesn't even have a map of funchal. Does anybody know the hotel "Residencial Americana" in Funchal? Thanks, Sergio