Monte Garden Gate by Henrik Sundholm Via Flickr: One of the gates at the Monte Palace Tropical Garden north of Funchal on Madeira, Portugal.

Skydining

Yrs, you read that right… as my skydiving days are definitely a few decades ago! Funchal is all about looking up. Surrounded by mountains, with steep hills very much in evidence throughout the city itself, elevation is key to the whole experience. For the fabulous tropical gardens of Monte or the botanical gardens of Jardim, there is only one way to travel… And the payoff is every bit as high…

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I know where I’d rather be spending my Monday morning 😍 The tropical gardens of Monte Palace are a must see if you’re in Funchal • • #madeira #montepalacemadeira #visitmadeira #visitportugal #photography #opticalwander #madeiraisland #funchal #tropicalgardens #montepalace #travel #travelphotography #sony #sonyalpha #a7riii #tamron #tamron2875 #ukshooters #ukphotographer #discoverunder5k #tropical #island #gardens (at Monte Palace Madeira) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpcMKMID-d9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

🌿🌴🌸🏵️🐈🐟 #funchal #Madeira #portugal #montepalacemadeira #travel #vacation #garden #tropical (at Monte Palace Madeira) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkOyRJaqVkH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ad_1] Funchal, the capital of Madeira, has a small-town vibe with big city credentials. Here’s what can happen when you mix Portuguese spirit with a subtropical climate in a city fuelled by fortified wine and Pastel de Nata. By: Paul Healy | Published: 9 Apr 2024 span box-shadow: none !important; filter: brightness(1) !important; ]]> Displayed like a football stadium, Funchal is an amphitheatre of terracotta houses curving down towards the Atlantic Ocean. High above the city, towering mountains provide a scenic backdrop to this colourful European centre. With a sub-tropical climate providing delightful year-round temperatures, Funchal is an excellent base for exploring the island. Enjoy a day of exhilarating outdoor activities and wind down with a glass of fortified wine. Have a slow stroll through the old town or take to the streets on an exhilarating toboggan ride. Funchal sets a relaxed pace under a lush, rugged canvas, making it a unique European destination for outdoor adventures and cultural kicks.    We visited Funchal with Jet2holidays. Here’s what we got up to. CARREIRO DO MONTE 1. FUNCHAL TO MONTE CABLE CAR Funchal is oriented around a small Old Town squeezed between the mountains and the sea. Midway up the hillside backdrop, Monte is a small village that sits around 550 metres above sea level. The Funchal-Monte Cable Car runs from the historic centre of Funchal up to the village of Monte. It’s a great way to take in the sweeping amphitheatre of Funchal and there are several great things to do once you get to the village. WHAT TO DO IN MONTE – Take the traditional wicker Toboggan ride back down to Funchal.   Stroll through the beautiful Tropical Gardens at Monte Palace. Admire the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte (Church of Our Lady of the Mount) Have coffee at Local Shop for an excellent drop with an even better view. Take the cable car over to the beautiful hilltop Botanical Gardens. Admire the cute little Babosas Chapel. Teleférico do Funchal – The cable car station is located in the garden of Almirante Reis, in the Funchal Old Town. For prices and opening times, see madeiracablecar.com. MONTE CHURCH 2. MONTE TOBOGGAN Wicker toboggan sledges were the original form of transport for locals who needed a speedy way to get from the hill of Monte down to Funchal in what was one of the world’s coolest commutes. Today, the Monte Wicker Toboggan ride is one of the most popular tourist activities in Funchal. Powered by 2 runners called Carreiros, the toboggan ride is an exhilarating dash down the streets of Funchal where corners are taken with an additional twist to extract screeches from delighted tourists. CARREIROS DO MONTE The cost is €27.50 for a one-person toboggan, reduced to €17.50 per person if you share with 1 or 2 people. If you are travelling by yourself, you’ll have plenty of time to make a friend to share a toboggan with. Queues can be snaking up the hill and it’s not uncommon to wait up to 2 hours. We highly recommending arriving as soon as the toboggans start running (9 am) to avoid queuing. The ride is 2 kilometres long and takes around 10 minutes. Starting Point – The starting point is just below the steps of the Monte Church (location). Buy your tickets from the booth first, then join the queue. Arrival Point – The toboggan ride finishes at Livramento (location). This is about a 40-minute walk back into the Old Town, but there are usually plenty of taxis nearby. Tips – The Carreiros will tip their Straw Boater hat at the end of the run expecting a tip, so make sure you have some cash with you if you want to tip. Hours – Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm | Cost – €27.50 for 1 person; €35 for 2; and €52.50 for 3 people. MONTE TOBOGGAN RIDES 3. JARDIM TROPICAL MONTE PALACE The Tropical Garden at Monte Palace is a beautiful green space in a prime hilltop position overlooking Funchal Bay. Displayed over multiple terr

aced levels, the gardens contain over 100,000 species of exotic flora from all over the world. The highlight for us was the Oriental Garden, adorned with Buddhist sculptures, lanterns and red walkways. There’s an excellent collection of art throughout the gardens. The most notable are the large panels of Portuguese tiles, some of which date back to the 15th century. Inside the gardens, the Monte Palace Madeira Museum houses sculptures plus a unique mineral collection from all over the world. To get to the gardens, it’s a short walk from the top of the Funchal Cable Car. Hours – 9:30 am – 6 pm | Cost – €15, children under 15 years old have free entry. MONTE PALACE TROPICAL GARDEN 4. BOTANICAL GARDENS The Madeira Botanical Gardens cover 8 hectares of green space featuring ornamental shrubs, exotic orchids, and manicured lawns with wonderful views of Funchal. There are around 2,500 plants in the garden including succulents, palms and several species that grow only in Madeira. At the end of the gardens, there’s an area devoted to exotic birds, with around 300 species. The best way to get to the gardens is by taking the Jardim Botânico Cable Car which is just a short walk from the Monte station of the Funchal Cable Car. You can save 10% if you book online. Hours – 9 am – 6 pm, Monday to Saturday | Cost – €7.50 (over 12 years); €3 (6-12 years). Free on April 30 and July 1.  5. MERCADO DOS LAVRADORES Mercado dos Lavradores, or the Farmers’ Market, is a small but bustling market in the centre of Funchal. Out the front you’ll find the flower market, with the fruit and veg occupying a central courtyard. It’s a lovely place to stroll around with locals snapping up all kinds of delights, and tourists snapping photos. You may find some of the vendors excited to see you, but it’s nothing a polite “no thanks” can’t solve.   The highlight of the market is the fish section towards the back where you find locals in stiff negotiations for seafood. Tip – The best time to visit is early in the morning, up to around 1 pm, when the fish market is buzzing. Friday is the busiest day when most vendors are selling. MERCADO DOS LAVRADORES 6. THE PAINTED DOORS Rua da Santa Maria is one of the oldest streets in Funchal, lined with a mix of residential houses and café terraces. In 2014, local artists were invited to work their magic on 200 doors in the tiny laneway. The Arte de Portas Abertas project, or Art of Open Doors, has transformed what was once an unassuming street into the most vibrant area in the Old Town.   Now an open-air gallery, Rua da Santa Maria is completely free and one of the most colourful things to do in Funchal. After strolling down the laneway to admire the art, grab a treat from Padaria Pastelaria Mariazinha – one of the best bakeries in Madeira. Dinner Option – If you’re around Rua da Santa Maria in the evening, check out Já Fui Jaquet for dinner. Don’t be put off by the menu on their website, it’s quality Portuguese cooking. ARTE DE PORTAS ABERTAS OUR PICK // BEST RESTAURANTS IN FUNCHAL KAMPO – Refined dishes presented with style, featuring incredible flavours derived from local produce. HORTA – A beautiful space in natural tones with dishes derived mostly from their own garden. Vegetarian dishes take centre stage. AUDAX – Innovative modern Madeiran cuisine with wine pairing. Incredible food, but probably not the best choice for vegetarians. 7. MADEIRA WINE It’s said that Madeira wine was an accident of the island’s seafaring past when wine would over-ferment on long sea voyages. To solve the problem, additional alcohol was added, and the result was a sweet complex wine that’s now the pride of the island. Madeira wine is still fermented in American Oak with additional alcohol added. You can enjoy it from sweet to dry with a couple of levels of sweetness in between. It appears on all wine lists in Madeira, but a good way to try it is to do a wine tour at Blandy’s Wine Lodge. They’ll explain the whole process in their atmospheric distillery with tastin

gs included. BLANDY’S WINE LODGE 8. JARDIM MUNICIPAL The Municipal Gardens are a lovely spot to explore in Funchal when you’re looking for a quick way to unwind. It’s a small local garden, filled with exotic plants from the island and many from other parts of the world including macadamia trees, sausage tree, cotton wool tree, and purple jacaranda. You don’t need long to explore, but it’s worth popping in for a quick look. MUNICIPAL GARDENS COTTON WOOL TREE 9. PRAÇA DO MUNICÍPIO The Municipal Square is one of the most important squares in the historical centre of Funchal. It’s surrounded by interesting buildings with a fountain in the centre dating to 1942. Public events are held in the square including Funchal’s famous Christmas Market. The square is covered in traditional Portuguese black and white tiles which are laid in small repeating arcs creating a uniform central focal point in Funchal.   MUNICIPAL SQUARE 10. FUNCHAL CITY HALL The striking building in Municipal Square was built in 1758 and became the City Hall of Funchal in 1883. It’s free to pop in and admire the interior landscaped courtyard with the beautiful Battistini tiles. To learn more about the history of Madeira, you can book a guided tour (€3.50) on weekdays. Tours start at 11 am and take 1 hour. FUNCHAL CITY HALL 11. NATA 7 Pastel de Nata is something of an obsession in Portugal. This small parcel of flaky pastry packed with egg custard and burnt to perfection on top, can divide the nation if you ask where to find the best one. We have it on good authority that Nata 7 is the place to go. Judging by the steady stream of locals out front, it’s hard to argue. NATA 7 12. UAUCACAU Madeira has a wonderful artisan approach to their various crafts and Uaucacau Chocolate is a great way to experience one of the many quality treats you can get in Funchal. While the chocolate is imported, all the fillings are made from local ingredients. One of the most popular is passionfruit, but I was a big fan of the salted caramel. Wash down your chocolates or Pastel de Nata with a coffee from The Studio. I loved their flat white and it’s within easy walking distance of Praça Do Município, Nata 7 and Uaucacau. 13. SÉ CATEDRAL DO FUNCHAL The Funchal Cathedral looks unassuming from the outside, but the main religious building of the Madeira archipelago is packed with history and interesting architectural features. Building commenced in 1493 and was completed in the 16th century using characteristics from the Gothic period. The highlight is the cedarwood ceiling with ivory inlay. It’s a stunning example of Mudéjar decoration common throughout Moorish Iberia, especially Seville and Córdoba. The cathedral is free to enter. MUDÉJAR CEILING 14. JEEP TOUR A great way to see more of the Madeira Island is by taking a jeep tour. Tours will pick you up from your hotel around 9 am and visit various scenic locations where you can appreciate the rugged beauty of the island. West Island Tour – The West Island tour includes the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, the agricultural regions near Canhas and the Paul da Serra plateau. The tour returns via Seixal for incredible coastal scenery. East Island Tour – The East Island tour heads to the highest mountain in Madeira, Pico do Arieiro, before heading to the beautiful Balcões Viewpoint. After lunch you visit a rum factory, then Ponta de São Lourenço before returning to Funchal. Both tours include lunch. JEEP TOUR PONTA DE SÁO LOURENÇO BALCÕES VIEWPOINT GO BOOK YOUR TRIP Spend more time by the pool and less time in planning mode with a package holiday to Madeira with Jet2. They have deals with a wide selection of properties so you can find a stay that’s perfect for you. 15. LEVADA WALK Levadas are water canals that transport water around the island from the rainforests in the north. There are over 1400 kilometres of levada throughout Madeira with the longest being 90 kilometres. A popular way to get outdoors in Madeira is by doing a

Levada walk. There are several you can do on guided tours from Funchal, otherwise they are easy enough to do on your own as the hiking trail follows the canal. One of the best Levada walks is the 25 Fontes – Cascada de Risco, a beautiful hike with hundreds of little waterfalls. The trail is 9 kilometres (return), easy to follow and should take around 4 hours. This self-guided 25 Fontes walk includes pick-up from your hotel in Funchal. They get you to the start of the trail before other hikers so you’ll have it to yourself for the first couple of hours. LEVADA WALK MAP | FUNCHAL, MADEIRA All the attractions listed in this guide are on the below map so you can get your bearings in the Madeiran capital. >> How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version in a new tab or the star to save to your Google Maps.   WHEN TO VISIT Madeira is a rock in the middle of the Atlantic and it can have two different weather systems depending on which side of the island you are on. As there are lots of great outdoor activities to enjoy from Funchal, it’s a good idea to avoid as much rain as possible. The best time to visit Funchal is from August to December which is the driest time of the year. The temperatures remain warm over most of this period and the sea is delightfully swimmable. Funchal has relatively consistent temperatures and it’s a great year-round destination. However, the warmest period is between July and October. WHERE TO STAY Madeira is made for the good life and all windy, scenic, mountain roads lead to Funchal – the capital of the island. We stayed at NEXT at Savoy Signature, a modern resort-style hotel with a cheeky personality and a cool modern design. They have a winning roof-top pool and bar, direct access to the sea and several quality restaurants. It’s a lovely 10-minute walk into the centre of the Old Town. NEXT AT SAVOY, FUNCHAL GETTING TO MADEIRA Jet2 has regular flights to Madeira from several UK airports including Birmingham, Bristol, Bournemouth, Manchester and London Stanstead. Look out for great deals on flights from Manchester Airport with Jet2 from where you can take off to over 60 destinations. MERCADO DOS LAVRADORES LOCAL SHOP MORE PORTUGAL READING ANYWHERE WE ROAM ISREADER-SUPPORTED When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. You can also shout us a coffee. Thanks for your support – Paul & Mark. INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK [ad_2] Source link

077 of 2023

Have you ever?

been abroad? been to 4 continents? been to 5 countries or more in 1 year? been to a concert? gotten high? gotten drunk? made out with someone? (didn’t like it, though) thrown up in public? done charity work? stolen something small from a shop? got a trophy? ridden a horse? walked a dog? slept under the stars? slept in a bed with a guy you weren’t dating? went swimming with dolphins? went paragliding? went zip lining? went to a music festival? went to disneyland? had a massage on a beach? (what) went snorkelling? went white water rafting? jumped off a bridge into a river? swum in the river nile? held a snake? had a fish pedicure? seen the eiffel tower at night? been to times square at night? been to a tropical island? skipped class? smoked a cigarette? gone in the sea in your underwear? gone river kayaking? gone sea kayaking? walked the brooklyn bridge? been to buckingham palace? toasted marshmallows on a campfire? slept in someone’s garden? climbed a water tower? skied? hiked a mountain? went sledding? done a colour run? been in a mosh pit? fell asleep on the beach? been to japan? had a surprise party thrown for you? learned a foreign language? (yeah English lol) learned how to play an instrument? ridden an elephant? see big ben? abseiled off a cliff? rock climbed? had a pet? been surfing? been on tv? learned how to skateboard? made a snowman? seen a shooting star? jumped in a pool fully clothed? been in the sea while drunk? been to a hot spring? been to a dress up party? hugged strangers? meet someone famous? sung karaoke? sung in front of an audience? seen a musical at the west end? seen a ballet? been to a fun fair? seen the mona lisa in real life? been to top of the rock? wore a sumo wrestling suit? eaten puffer fish? got acupuncture? had a cake made for you? eaten caviar? eaten fois gras? (foie gras, check your spelling lol) eaten oysters? seen the leaning tower of pisa? seen the sagrada familia? know how to do a cartwheel? (yea but I can’t anymore) smoked shisha/hookah? been to a nude beach? babysat? donated clothing? been ice skating? played golf? played tennis? played netball? played hockey? played basketball? played cricket? taken a self defense class? made a snow angel? been out in the pouring rain? ridden an electric scooter? ridden a rickshaw? been on a roller coaster? stayed in a hostel? stayed in a resort? taken a train/subway from grand central station? been to a german christmas market? walked across abbey road? been to a greek island? been inside a cave? eaten pizza in italy? eaten sushi in japan? been to monte carlo? been on a plane ride over 10 hours long? been to croatia? shot an arrow? rolled down a really big hill? picked berries? placed an item in a random person’s shopping cart? had a guy play with your hair? been so drunk you almost threw up? played ding dong ditch? had a foam fight? gotten detention? been in a newspaper? worn pyjamas in public? drunk alcohol in the middle of the day? been stung by a jellyfish? been in a haunted house/scary maze? been served alcohol underage? ran away from police? climbed into a park in the middle of the night? painted a room? played beer pong? played the lottery? had a job? run through sprinklers? cried in the cinema? made tie dye t shirts? laid on a trampoline and looked at the stars? sat on a roof? cooked a meal? slept in a hammock? washed a car? gone bowling? been on a ferry? been to the natural history museum in london? had a class reunion? been to a water park? been to a michelin star restaurant? been christmas carolling? held a hedgehog? fed a penguin?

14.06. Monte & Levada dos Tornos

Nun konnten wir unser gestriges Vorhaben in die Tat umsetzen.

Nach einem ausgiebigem Frühstück hopste Jona in die Kraxe und los ging es. Wir stiegen fast eine Stunde durch steile Straßen hinab und an einem ziemlich aufgeregten Hund vorbei in die Hauptstadt Madeiras und konnten bereits immer mal wieder eine der blauen Gondeln über der Stadt schweben sehen, die unser erstes Etappenziel darstellen sollte.

Bei der Teleferico angekommen, erwartete uns dort bereits eine lange Schlange, ein untrügliches Zeichen dafür, dass wieder mehr Touristen in der Stadt sind. Eine gute halbe Stunde mussten wir uns gedulden, dann durften auch wir endlich in eine Gondel steigen. Jona war mächtig zappelig, hatte er doch in den letzten 30 Minuten beinahe jede Gondel mit einem aufgeregten Fingerzeig begrüßt.

In der Gondel war ihm das Schaukeln erstmal nicht so ganz geheuer. Er blieb auf Mamas Schoß und wir konnten den herrlichen Blick über die Dächer der Stadt bestaunen. Je höher wir kamen, desto mutiger wurde Jona und flitzte bald an den Fenstern der Gondel entlang um nichts zu verpassen. Wir schwebten aber auch so nah über einige Gärten hinweg, dass man die Salatköpfe gut zählen konnte.

Oben angekommen schritt Jona an Mamas Hand freudenstrahlend zur nächsten Etappe. Jardim Tropical Monte Palace, ein riesiger Garten voller skurriler Kunst. Der Kunstmäzen Joe Berardo machte aus einem alten Hotelgarten ein schrilles Paradies. Der war ein ziemlich reicher Kopf bis zur Finanzkrise 2007, die ihn eine Milliarde Euro gekostet haben soll. In jungen Jahren nach Südafrika ausgewandert, erwarb er dort als Goldschürfer ein immenses Vermögen, obwohl er ganz klein und bescheiden als Gemüsehändler angefangen hat. Zurück in Portugal zog er in ein Schloss in Lissabon und begann sich bald um das ehemalige Hotel Monte Palace auf seiner Heimatinsel zu kümmern. Dessen Park war mit der Zeit verwildert, die romantische Anlage in Vergessenheit geraten. Berardo bewahrte den alten Baumbestand und stellte allerlei Kuriositäten dazu, die er von seinen vielen Reisen mitgebracht oder in Antiquitätenläden erworben hatte.

Uns beeindruckte zunächst ein knorriger alter Ölbaum aus der Römerzeit, den Berardo in einer Hauruckaktion vor der Überflutung durch einen Stausee im Alentejo rettete und hier auf das Dach seines eigenen Museums setzte. Im Inneren konnten wir über zwei Etagen hinweg Steinskulpturen aus Simbabwe bewundern, die hier auf Holzstangen präsentiert wurden. Jona plapperte die ganze Zeit vor sich hin und es war gar nicht so leicht, ihn von den der Kunst fern zu halten. Noch schwieriger wurde dies im Keller, in dem in Höhlen nachempfundenen kleinen Nischen eine gewaltige Mineraliensammlung ausgestellt war. Die vielen Steine glitzerten und funkelten in allen Regenbogenfarben und genauso glitzerten auch Jonas Augen. Er wurde quasi magisch angezogen. Claudia hatte unterdessen gemischte Gefühle, hieß doch die Ausstellung "Das Geheimnis von Mutter Erde". Ihr wurden all diese Steine aber in Brasilien und Südafrika entrissen, nur damit man sie hier nun angucken konnte. Sollte man dies nicht lieber vor Ort tun? Und wie viel von Mutter Erde wurde zerstört, damit wir sie überhaupt angucken können?

Die kleine Mittagspause am plätschernden Bachlauf unter einem riesigen grünen Blätterdach brachte uns alle jedoch schnell wieder auf andere Gedanken. Wir befanden uns im orientalischen Bereich des Gartens, für den diverse asiatische Gärten Pate standen. Jona konnte in der Kraxe ein bisschen relaxen während wir über knallrote Brücken mit typisch chinesischem Muster marschierten, dem Bachlauf folgend an Marmordrachen, Minipagoden und bunt bemalten Tonsoldaten vorbeikommend. Das Kind fand allerdings die Koi-Karpfen mit Abstand am spannendsten. Deren Vorfahren schwammen schon vor 2.000 Jahren in den Gräben der chinesischen Reisfelder als Speisefische herum, damals noch unscheinbar grau. Heute gilt als wertvoll der weiße Koi mit orangefarbenen Punkt auf dem Rücken.

Durch ein Portal eines fernöstlichen Tempelbezirks schreitend betraten wir den als Amphitheater angelegten Bereich der Azulejos, der Fliesenbilder. Die ältesten Fliesen reichen bis ins 16. Jahrhundert zurück und schmückten früher Adelspaläste und Kirchen. Das sie nun hier wild durcheinander gewürfelt ohne einen wirklichen Zweck in einem Park stehen, ist schon irgendwie skurril. Generell wirkte der ganze Park wie eine riesige Sammlung mehr oder weniger wahllos zusammengewürfelter Kunstobjekte in einem hübsch arrangierten natürlichen Ensemble. Und dazwischen immer wieder Kois.

Wir gelangten an den Lago Central, einem See, über den sich früher die Hotelgäste in kleinen Booten rudern ließen. Heute plätscherte es von überall herab und die Kois drehen im Stummen ihre Runden während sich im Hintergrund das ehemalige Hotel Monte Palace erhebt - es hatte etwas zutiefst friedliches.

Zwischen Teich und Hotel, welches nun der Sitz der Umwelt- und Sozialstiftung Berardo ist, steht die Cleopatra-Vase. Sie ist mit 5,34 Metern die größte auf einer Töpferscheibe gedrehte Vase der Welt und steht somit im Guinnessbuch der Rekorde.

Wir liefen weiter unter Palmen hindurch, vorbei an Orchideen, Kamelien und Buddha-Figuren überquerten kleine Brücken, die über Koikarpfenteiche führten, Hühner kreuzten unseren Weg und immer wieder bot sich uns ein atemberaubender Blick über die Stadt. So langsam aber sicher stieg der Weg wieder an und führte uns zurück zum Parkeingang.

Draußen warteten bereits die Korbschlittenfahrer. Von einem englischen Fernsehsender wurde die Schlittenfahrt ohne Schnee zu einer der "zehn coolsten Fahrten der Welt" gekürt. Heute ein Touristengaudi, im 19. Jahrhundert ein ganz normales Verkehrsmittel, denn die englischen Weinhändler rutschten in den Korbschlitten von ihren Sommervillen in Monte die steilen Straßen nach Funchal hinunter.

Wir bogen allerdings ab und besuchten die "Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte". Während Michael und Jona das geschäftige Treiben der Schlittenfahrer aus der Vogelperspektive beobachteten, stieg Claudia die 72 steilen Stufen zur Wallfahrtskirche hinauf. Hier fand der letzte Kaiser der Donaumonarchie Karl I. seine letzte Ruhestätte. Nach dem ersten Weltkrieg wurde der glücklose Kaiser von den Siegermächten abgesetzt und ging mit seiner Gemahlin Zita ins Exil auf Madeira. Hier starb er im Alter von nur 35 Jahren an einer Lungenentzündung. Die Gläubigen pilgern allerdings eher wegen einer kleinen Marienstatue hierher, die ein Schäfer im 16. Jahrhundert nach einer Marienerscheinung hier gefunden haben soll. Sie gilt als wundertätig und soll für das Ende von starken Regenfällen 1803 verantwortlich sein.

Zurück bei den Jungs traten wir den Heimweg an. Allerdings fuhren wir nicht mit der Seilbahn zur Stadt hinunter um dann alles wieder rauf zu laufen, sondern wir wollten einer Levada folgen, die ihren Ursprung auf dem Gelände des Palheiro Estate haben sollte. Ein entspannter Rückweg also, so der Plan. Nach nur wenigen hundert Metern folgten wir dem Weg in ein Tal hinunter, um dann auf der anderen Seite wieder hinauf zu kraxeln. So viel zum Plan eines easy-going-way. In dem kleinen Stadtteil Romeiros fanden wir dann auch endlich die Levada dos Tornos und ab da sollte es wirklich ein recht angenehmes Laufen werden. Obwohl die Levada eine der wasserreichsten war und mit klarem Wasser zügig dahin floss, hatte es doch irgendwie etwas vom Laufen am Abwasserkanal. Vielleicht lag es daran, dass wir immer wieder an Häuserruinen vorbeikamen, oder durch leicht schmuddelige Vororte mussten, vielleicht lag es auch an den riesigen Wassertanks an denen wir vorbeikamen oder das verwaiste Ferienresorts, dass wir durchquerten. Es war auf jeden Fall nicht die schönste Levada-Wanderung, auch wenn es immer wieder schöne Abschnitte gab.

Schließlich konnten wir den Golfplatz des Palheiro Estate schon sehen und waren ganz nah. Wir hatten allerdings nicht beachtet, dass wir am völlig falschen Ende des 1.300 Hektar großen Geländes ankommen würden. Da der Palheiro Garden bereits geschlossen hatte, konnten wir auch nicht einfach durchlaufen, sondern mussten am Rand außen herum laufen. Nun hieß es doch wieder steile Straßen bergab gehen.

Als wir schließlich zu Hause ankamen sollten wir sieben Stunden und zwanzig Kilometer auf den Beinen gewesen sein.

Take us back to the beautiful tropical botanical gardens of Monte Palace in Funchal, Madeira. 🌴🌿🌺🏯 It has such gorgeous oriental gardens ⛩ and views out across the island. 🌅 You also get there by cable car which is super fun 🚠 and down either by toboggan (in a basket) or walking down a levada route💦 We’ve written an article on all the cool stuff to do in Funchal, Madeira so you can make plans for when this is all over and we can travel again! https://ift.tt/2xU8dRy ⬅️ https://instagr.am/p/B_feNWNpYqk/

Monte Palace in Madeira. It was great to get lost in the tropical gardens 😍 • • • #madeira #madeiraisland #madeiralovers #madeiramadeira #ilovemadeira #montepalace #montepalacemadeira #tropicalgarden #tropical #visitmadeira #portugal #visitportugal #myshotaugust #opticalwander #sonyalpha #a7riii #tamron2875 #travelphotography #photography #photographylovers #exploretocreate #sonyshooter #folkcreative #folkmagazine #portraitphotography #portrait (at Madeira, Portugal) https://www.instagram.com/p/Chw4VqaDl58/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Explore The Fancy Monaco!

Now, let’s go to a country where you can enjoy the Mediterranean climate, beautiful sceneries, and a fancy lifestyle! Yes, that is Monaco! This country is actually a very small one with only 32,000 inhabitant with 1.5 square kilometer this may be a small one but it definitely has a lot to offer. It is located on the Mediterranean coast and is considered as part of the French Riviera but it is its own country.

If you walk around the country you would definitely notice how clean the surrounding is. And also, if you are planning to travel alone in Monaco then we’d say go for it! It is because Monaco is a safe country with such minimal crime. You can definitely just roam around the country safely while enjoying the beauty around you.

Now, let’s go to the destinations!

Casino De Monte Carlo

And since Monaco is a home of wealthy people, the casino is definitely one of the grandest places in the world. It was built in 1863 and it is known as the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo which is located in Monte Carlo. And this casino is just few steps away from the Palatial Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo.

Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

It was publicly opened in 1910 and is one of the oldest and visited museums of Marine Science in Europe. It was founded by Prince Albert I and was designed by French Architect, Paul Delefortrie. In 1998, Jacques Cousteau who is a world-renowned scientis and explorer directed the museum.

On the other hand at the Palace Square at the Rock of Monaco every 12 noon they are having a change of guards which is also a must see!

Since December 8, 1817 these guards are the ones ensuring the safety of the palace and the royal family.

And here are some other places to visit in Monaco!

Hermitage Hotel

And when we say fancy, we actually really mean it! The Hermitage Hotel with its very beautiful architecture and interior where its lobby has a very fancy marble floor. Oh, and when you look up you would definitely feel in awe because of its incredible glass roof filled with lights.

Casino de Paris

On the other hand, Casino de Paris is also a must visit! It’s really no problem if you just want to go there to see the beauty of this Casino. Because when you go in there you would just really admire the décor and style of the Casino.

Fontvieille District

This is much known because of its view which is the sea behind the rock. If you go to Monaco to just really chill and to stroll then this is your place! Because this one’s a nice place to stroll where there are a lot of sailboat. Oh and if you miss a city vibe well then, this place has a resemblance to New York’s business district.

Exotic Garden of Monaco

Are you a self-proclaimed plantito and plantita? Well, then, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. Because of its collection of different tropical plants that you’ll enjoy admiring while wandering around.  

Princes’ Palace

While you’re in there don’t forget to visit the Princes’ Palace. If you are a person who likes to admire some great architecture then this is your place. You can also stroll to their gallery which consists of murals and you can also see the beautiful main courtyard that they have.

Italian-Style Arcades 

Of course, your Monaco trip would never be complete without going to some high fashion boutiques and jewelry shops. You can also find here some luxury hotels to stay in!

Monte Carlo House Opera

Lastly, don’t forget to visit this opera house to admire Charles Garnier’s masterpieces.

*All photos are not ours.

REFERENCES/PHOTO CREDITS:

https://www.britannica.com/place/Monaco

https://www.avignon-et-provence.com/en/tourism-provence/monaco

https://www.youramazingplaces.com/5-reasons-visit-monaco/?amp

https://www.france-voyage.com/tourism/principality-monaco-6.htm

https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/europe/monaco/history-and-culture#:~:text=Monaco's%20culture%20has%20strong%20influences,that%20French%20influence%20is%20huge.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g190405-c1348/Monaco:Introduction.html

https://www.inexhibit.com/mymuseum/oceanographic-museum-of-monaco-musee-oceanographique-de-monaco/amp/

Monte Palace Tropical Garden,Funchal

Reviews 202: S&W

Dub Disco has been growing increasingly ambitious with each release and their upward ascent hit a high point last year with the pop psychedelia and euphoric remix collection Dub Disco Presents Aporia + Remixes. And now, the imprint steps beyond their characteristic brown sleeves, playful caricatures, and 12” oriented jams into the wonderful world of the balearic long player. Thomas Schiller and Samuel Krist, otherwise known as S&W, have appeared on Dub Disco before and their track “Cashmere Green” from Dub Disco Presents S&W is among the label’s best. But even considering the high quality of that 12”, the awe-inspiring visions and expansive sonic vistas of duo’s debut album A Weekend Far Out are quite surprising, as S&W craft a sun-dappled soundtrack for a fantasy vacation along the mediterranean, one where crashing waves background immersive balearic adventures through ambient clouds, dreamy African folk spells, hypnotic house and disco rhythms, lush Rhodes chordscapes, island breeze mallet instruments, 90s chill-out glides, and paradise worlds of tropical krautrock and kosmische synthesis, among many other shades and styles. And tying together the whole journey is the magical full color artwork of @victoria-stampfer. 

S&W - A Weekend Far Out (Dub Disco, 2019) Crashing waves introduce “Arrival at the Shore” and are soon joined by a Rhodes piano…it’s liquid chord fantasias decaying mesmerically over starlight arpeggiations. As the seaside ambiance slowly fades away, it is replaced by heavenly pads that swirl in from oceanic depths through hypnotic phaser movements and cut-off manipulations, adding a feverish sense of motion to the faded aqua haze. “Ocean View Drive” follows with golden piano leads and balmy synth chords flowing above timbales and breathy cymbal movements while romantic electronic squiggles swim through the sky…this magical introduction eventually washed away by effervescent kick drums, static smothered snares, and rimshots that echo over bubbling krautrock basslines. Buzzing synths weave LSD dreamscapes and sometimes the melodic elements back away, leaving clacking rimshots and hypnotic motorik beats to chug beneath grooved out bassline magic. It’s like slow motion cruising down the autobahn on a serene sunny day, only as if transported to a fantastic seaside world where euphoric synth sequences float on rays tropical sunlight, bringing vibes of Hatchback and the rest of the Pacifica scene along the way.

“Cloud Palace” will surely be one of the balearic anthems of the year, starting as it does with aquatic marimba patterns looping the mind into a solar trance state while luscious synthwaves build underneath. And as the idiophones dance over thumb piano tapestries, flamboyant gated tom fills introduce a slamming seaside breakbeat that soars beneath deep house pads. Wooden mallet tones dance on spiritual sparkles and everything grows into a vibed out jam, one that’s supremely spaced out and sees crystalline piano chords floating on immersive sub-bass waves. The reverb soaked breaks glide eternally through paradise realms while static patterns surf in the background ether, evoking the heyday of 90s chill out and José Padilla’s Cafe del Mar compilations A mesmeric mallet instruments weave wooden dreamwebs. Cosmic synth descents bring airs of smooth jazz and touches of Afro-folk and at some point, everything vaporizes into gas, leaving the listener to float through the titular cloud palace before dropping once more into a vibed out jam seeing thick and subaqueous bass synths pulsate alongside climactic piano chords...the whole thing evoking some beachside dancefloor in a world of dreams, where everyone raises hands in the air as they surrender to S&W’s mystical ocean magic.

In the Crocodile Funk featuring “Mondello,” machine disco rhythms, spectrally morphed hand drums, and rattling snares are danced over by kaleidoscopic balafon melodies…the wooden planks and gourds vibrating ecstatically as they cast sunshine spells. Double-time hi-hats rush through the air while tropically flanged guitars play off the Malian folk incantations…like vibes of Tortoise intermingling with fiery Afro-disco. Sliding bass fluids move all around and give the disco glide a glowing dub pulse while echoing string and chime melodies dance on sunbeams. Then a radiant lead enters and is backed by morphing reso-squelches...as if smeared out alien steel drums are skipping on seashells while all around, white sand crystals gleam in the sun and wiggling mirage electronics and equatorial fevers fade in and out of clear blue waters. The wonderfully titled “New Age Fantasy” follows and features percussive synth bubbles, future-island hand drums swaying on squelching bass currents, and hypnotic panning beats. The effect is like being momentarily transported to a lazy summer vacation in the south Pacific, with percolating chime melodies like cool sea-spray against warm skin. It all strongly evokes the tropical exotica of Haruomi Hosono, especially as liquid star shine melodies flutter towards the clouds, marimbas float through psychedelic echo bubbles, and resonant fusion leads and wah-wah synths paint dream vibrations in the salty air.

The epic “Monte Pellegrino” features Gustaaf and unfurls across two parts, with the first setting emotional disco beats to glide on cosmic clouds while harmonious pads wash in with etheric wave flows. Twanging slap bass loops fire off alongside tight synthbass percolations and bongos ride through a balearic dreamscape adorned by strange sliding tones that simulate whale songs and dolphin lullabies. Mallet instruments are submerged in cosmic-aquatic fx as they dance through the sky before dropping away and allowing the track to vibe out for an extended passage of lush synthesized chordscapes and tropical disco rhythms. As the sea-blue idiophones return, they grow in strength while the rhythms recede, giving space to pad meditations, chirping insects, and the ceremonial sounds of the sea. The second part of “Monte Pellegrino” emerges from these oceanic nature spells with bass synths walking along the shore and trancey orchestrations building atop chill-out atmospherics. Bongos join pulsating string synths as the schmaltzy fusion slap-bass returns…the whole mix floating in a beatless ambient wonderland where everything seems to radiate gold and aquamarine. When the disco beat finally returns alongside polyrhythmic mallet dreamwebs, we find ourselves gliding towards a sunset horizon as everything zones out for toes in the sand and cocktail in hand bliss…like sitting on some hidden beach of impossible beauty while birds of every color fly tree to sea and rainbow fish shimmer below the water’s surface

New age keyboard chimes and a hovering sense of seaside warmth pervade “Garden of Cosmic Speculation” and a vibed out beat is led by heady cymbals…the whole thing reveling in that kind of slow motion balearic house by way of fantasy disco that you find in Maricopa’s recent work. Gorgeous staccato synth riffs blast the mind with currents of aquatic power that are physically enveloping and swell the heart and minimal chord ascents carry a nostalgic sense of euphoria as we transition towards playful pastures where jacking bass synths dance and descend across glowing cosmic pools while looping synth chords move through the sky and pan-pipe electronics skip on the surface of an interstellar ocean. When we return to the sensual disco paradise, soul-lifting FM synth fluids solo and vibrate…their leads bringing polychromatic visions and joyous laughter until the mix momentarily spaces out into fractal streaks of starlight, zany delay oscillations, and emotional chord flows under soft filter movements. And as we journey once more to the playful realm of cosmic dance magic, huge columns of reverb drift into the sky while balafons join the spiritual sea sway.

There are further slow-motion disco romantics and heady hi-hat patterns on display in “After the Tempest,” with the mix featuring seabirds flying high in the sky…their evocative calls morphed into silvery light and moving through gaseous bodies of synthesizer mist. Chugging basslines thump the chest as Rhodes pianos drop gemstone percolations that shimmer throughout the mix. Tambourines jangle while tubular square wave leads enter…their meditative movements backed by narcotic fog banks of mermaid euphoria…and sizzling synth winds blow all around, eventually leading to an ambient passage where heart-wrenching chords movements and fluttering echoes preclude a climactic sound rush that brings back the soaring beats. As they return, the disco drums seem to hit harder than before...the whole song evolving into hammock house perfection ringing out from eternal island cliffs and rained down upon by kosmische sequences and LSD filter tweaks. The vacation ends with “Homecoming” and its alien contrabass tones emanating from underwater caverns. Bubbling sea synths communicate with coral and fish and the inky black ambiance is eventually brought into the light by beautiful pianos that wrap the soul in their watery chord flows. Chiming sequences swim through the depths as rays of sunlight break through the surface and refract off of a seabed of rubies, emeralds, and sapphires and all the while, pizzicato melodies beamed in from another dimension stoke wistful memories of a time in paradise and crashing waves sounds return to cleanse the mind.

(images from my personal copy)

Monte Palace Tropical Garden

Monte Palace Tropical Garden by robertzonnekeyn