Travel guide Madeira

These glazed earthenware tiles are one of the hallmarks of Portuguese art. Originating in Morocco (the term azulejo comes from the Arabic al zulaydj, meaning "small polished stone"), they made their way to Andalusia via the "earthenware route", then to Portugal (where they are said to have seduced Manuel ^I during a visit to Spain).

It's hard to miss Madeira's famous bolo do caco, a delicious round, flattened homemade bread containing sweet potato (grown in abundance on the Island). It is usually spread with garlic butter and served before the appetizer. It's also the basis of Madeira sandwiches: go for a prego especial (with an egg), our favourite!

An age-old tradition in Madeira. Whether on canvas, linen, organza, shawl, handkerchief or tablecloth, the pieces reveal a delicacy and meticulous craftsmanship that has woven the reputation of Madeira embroidery across the borders. Bordal, established in 1962 in Funchal, is the best known.

Hydrangeas, anthuriums, magnolias, bougainvilleas, agapanthus or birds of paradise, in gardens, in the heart of forests, along roadsides... Everywhere on the island, flowers compose sublime bouquets. A plume of fascinating colors, exalted every spring during the Flower Festival that fills the streets of Madeira's capital.

It's time to fill up on vitamins and tropical essences! The island is a fertile ground where many exotic fruits are cultivated. On the stalls of the farmers' markets, bananas, guavas, avocados, mangoes, kiwis, passion fruit, papayas and other lesser known fruits, such as anone or tamarillo, make your mouth water!

Madeira has the largest surviving primary laurel forest in Macaronesia (it exists only in Madeira, the Azores, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde). Its origin dates back to the Tertiary era. Listed as a World Heritage Site, it contains a unique ecosystem inhabited by many endemic species, such as the Madeira Trocaz pigeon.

To cope with the uneven distribution of water resources on Madeira Island, the first settlers had a brilliant idea: to build a network of canals - levadas - capable of transporting water from the mountains to the arid lands to the south of the island. These canals are lined with signposted paths, making for memorable hikes.

This Portuguese architectural style was born during the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521) and was part of the period of the Great Discoveries. A counterpart to the late Gothic style, it draws its inspiration from the world of the sea, with complex sculptural features such as the armillary sphere, a navigational instrument and emblem of Manuel I.

Don't be fooled by the exotic and sweet aroma of this typical alcoholic drink of the archipelago. A real time bomb, originally made with rum (traditional on the island), lemon juice and honey. It is now made with a whole bunch of local exotic fruits (try the poncha de maracujá, it's a real hit!).

In Portugal, the term quinta refers to large agricultural estates consisting of several buildings. Madeira is home to many quintas, traditional residences that have been converted into charming hotels, wineries or museums, surrounded by magnificent ornamental gardens with endemic species and tropical plants.

A five-stringed instrument, traditional to Madeira, it would be the ancestor of the Hawaiian ukulele! In 1879, Madeiran migrants went to Hawaii to work in the sugar cane plantations and brought with them a kind of small guitar. The Hawaiians would have thereafter manufactured their own version, between the guitar and the rajão, called ukulele.

Although the first vines were planted on the island as early as the ^15th century, Madeira wine has since earned its letters of nobility. Even today, a process called estufagem is used to give this elixir its distinctive character. Several methods exist, including canteiro, which consists of aging the wine in the heat of the sun.