Thursday, 23 October 2014
The scenic islands of Madeira
The famous big wave surfer Garrett McNamara visits the scenic islands of Madeira.
With views like Hawaii and portuguese food and hospitality, Garret gets the best of both worlds with his local contacts, artist Marco Fagundes and local surfer/tour guide Orlando Pereira.
In beautiful Madeira, Garrett experiences fresh tuna just off the boat, rides a couch down a hill and tries the exquisite local, aged Madeira wine.
More videos on Madeira:
Madeira Islands on Travel Channel
10 reasons to visit Madeira Islands
Introducing Madeira Islands (2012)
Lush island filled with treasures (Daily Mail)
The Island (teaser)
Madeira as it was in 1951
Nature & adventure in Madeira
Wicker basket toboggan riding
Madeira goodies
Madeira Islands: all year round
Aerial view of Jardim do Mar in Southwest Madeira
Calheta municipality (including Jardim do Mar): Southwest of Madeira
World famous footboller Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Madeira (Daily Mail)
Madeira explored by mountainbiker David "G-RAF"
The folk song of Madeira Islands: Bailinho da Madeira
Community typical dance in a popular feast (Jardim do Mar)
Hiking from Jardim do Mar to Prazeres and Paúl do Mar
Madeira Islands: photo video
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Guest message 51
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| September 2014 |
Key words & ideas:
"Jardim do Mar is the paradise: it's quiet and everybody is friendly"; "This house is perfect"; "I feel like home"; "We have shared a lot about Fado music, Portuguese lifestyle and food."
Please, click on the image for better reading
Monday, 6 October 2014
Madeira Islands nominated for WORLD's Leading Island Destination
Awards:
2014 Europe's Leading Island Destination
2013 Europe's Leading Island Destination
More info
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
Guest message 50
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| August 2014 |
"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."
Please, click on the image for better reading
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
Guest message 49
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| 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."
Please, click on the image for better reading
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Guest message 48
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| 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."
Please, click on the image for better reading
Sunday, 3 August 2014
Madeira Islands: Europe's Leading Island Destination 2014
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| View from Fanal [August 2012 © nelio ] |
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
Saturday, 2 August 2014
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"
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