Guest message 50

August 2014

Key words & ideas:

"We loved spending these days in your house"; "We felt at home"; "We were charmed by the colours, stories and places of the house"; "Each room has its very good energies"; "I loved specially the library"; "Jardim do Mar is a refuge that allows escapism from stress - it brings you tranquility and joy."

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Guest message 49

August 2014

Key words & ideas:

"We are here for the third time in a row to appreciate your welcoming"; "This house is like you [Sofia]: warm."

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Guest message 48

July 2014

Key words & ideas:

"We had a lovely holiday"; "Jardim do Mar feels like a secret hide away"; "We're already planning a return trip."

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Madeira Islands: Europe's Leading Island Destination 2014

View from Fanal [August 2012 © nelio ]

Madeira Islands elected again the Europe's Leading Island Destination 2014 by World Travel Awards, which are hailed as ‘the Oscars of the travel industry’. Its 21st edition took place in Athens, Greece, on the 2nd of August, 2014. Last year Madeira Islands was elected the Europe's Leading Island Destination and also nominated for the World's Leading Island Destination.

When the world seems to go crazy, you can find peace, security, mild weather all year round and beautiful landscapes in these Atlantic islands. Madeira's Nature exhales energy and inspires emotion and adventure. It also has this profound and empowering quietness, working as a self (relaxing and healing) retreat from modern life rush, stress and anxieties. 

Give yourself a chance to experience Madeira Islands and come to visit us in Sofia's Place in Jardim do Mar, one of the most exclusive, dreamy and romantic places around.

Madeira offers unspoilt and breathtaking scenery with impressive high cliffs emerging directly from the ocean. «It’s the most dramatic landscape I have ever seen», says dear friend and surfer William Henry about Madeira, refering to the towering cliffs, rocky shores, waterfalls and seas of azure.

«As a child I often dreamed of a landscape like Madeira, because one much like it is often described in fairy tales and children’s stories», adds the above quoted friend. «Every year I find something new, and yet every year I am awe-struck by the same cliffs, gardens, waterfalls and waves that I witnessed on my first voyage.» (Read more)

Sofia's Place blog posts on the subject:
Madeira Islands elected the Europe's Leading Island Destination 2013
Madeira Islands nominated for the World's Leading Island Destination 2013

Previous awards direct links:
Madeira Islands elected the Europe's Leading Island Destination 2013
Madeira Islands nominated for the World's Leading Island Destination 2013

More information on Madeira Islands:
www.visitmadeira.pt

Ricardo Ribeiro

Ricardo Ribeiro is one of the best and most appreciated Fado singers in Portugal and abroad. We have seen him live and it was a moving experience. Largo da Memória is his most recent album. Listen to some songs/videos like "Destino Marcado" (Fate is set) or "Entrega" (Surrender).

Ricardo Ribeiro is the singer in the album Em Português by great world music name Rabih Abou-Khalil. Please, see them playing live "Casa da Mariquinhas" (House of Mariquinhas).

Other fadistas (fado singers) we love besides Ricardo Ribeiro: the younger generation Gisela João, Camané, Carminho, Ana Moura, Mariza, Aldina Duarte, and the older generation Amália, the Fado greatest, Carlos do Carmo, Alfredo Marceneiro, Lucília do Carmo, Argentina Santos.

And always remembering Carlos Paredes, the Portuguese guitar genius (american label Drag City prints/sells two albuns): Verdes Anos, Canto do Amanhecer, Variações de Artur Paredes.

If Portugal has a sound, it is the sound of Canto de Rua (Street Song) a composition by Carlos Paredes. Two other versions: one in Gisela João's debut album (Canto de Rua) played by Ricardo Parreira, and another played by Rafael Fraga (Canto de Rua).

Related info:
FADO, THE URBAN SONG OF LISBON

FADO PART OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY

SOFIA'S PLACE MUSIC EXPERIENCE - A SOULFUL SELECTION

FADO FILM SELECTION IN SOFIA'S PLACE

SOFIA'S PLACE AUDITORIUM

More information on Fado:
www.museudofado.pt
www.portaldofado.net
www.unesco.org (here)

David Byrne (musician and producer) on Amália's music: "she expresses the sadness of the Universe and existence"

Guest message 47

June 2014

Key words & ideas:

"Nice home: it was more than expected"; "We really felt like home"; "You live in a magnificent Island."

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Guest message 46

June 2014

Key words & ideas:

"We had wonderful holiday"; "The nice colours will inspire us to decorate our own house"; "We will never forget the nice stay here in Jardim do Mar."

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Guest message 45

May 2014

Key words & ideas:

"Thank you for your wonderful house, well located and equiped"; "We had such a good time walking in the levadas and driving to the West and North Coast."

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