Contrast offers intense and sharp experiences. In Sofia’s Place you breath the local community spirit and culture in a sophisticated and cosmopolitan accommodation, in the heart of one of the most exclusive, dreamy and romantic places around. As Jardim do Mar itself, Sofia's Place offers the local and the universal, the unique and the diverse, the rural environment and the urbane comfort. Sofia was born in the pitoresque village. And as roots are kept intact, Jardim do Mar became more cosmopolitan as it attracted artists (writers, poets, painters), surfers and nature and tranquility lovers from all over.

Sunday, 28 August 2016

Guest message 78

August 2016

Key words and ideas:

"Wonderful week in your house;" "Thanks to your hints we discovered Madeira in a different way."

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Thursday, 18 August 2016

Guest message 77

August 2016

Key words and ideas:

"Warm welcoming;" "We loved so much the colourful house and the garden"; "Thank you for the music CDs that we listened with pleasure"; "The inhabitants are very kind".

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Tuesday, 16 August 2016

Guest message 76

August 2016

Key words and ideas:

"Wonderful holidays;" "Atmospheric house"; "We absolutely felt home"; "We loved your music collection"; "This is a very special place"; "We wish to come back again".

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Tuesday, 9 August 2016

Guest message 75

August 2016

Key words and ideas:

"Wonderful place to relax and just enjoy life;" "We have loved to be connected to the ocean and nature here"; "Kindness of Jardim's people"; "Wonderful sunset"; "Swimming in Portinho's clear water"; "Unforgettable".

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Friday, 29 July 2016

Guest message 74

July 2016

Key words and ideas:

"Sofia's place left a trace." ;)

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Thursday, 7 July 2016

Guest message 73

July 2016

Key words and ideas:

"Wonderful stay"; "Loved the music collection, the atmosphere in the house, the meals at Joe's Bar, Tar Mar and Hotel do Jardim do Mar, the walks around the village, the mill"; "Hope we can come back."

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Friday, 17 June 2016

Guest message 72

June 2016

Key words and ideas:

"We like your house very much"; "Cosy house"; "Homelike atmosphere"; "We spent lovely moments."

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Wednesday, 8 June 2016

Guest message 71

June 2016

Key words and ideas:

"Lovely stay"; "House is charming and has character"; "Good sound system and music selection"; "Good vibe and spirit"; "We hope to return".

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Friday, 12 February 2016

Guest message 70

January & February 2016

Key words and ideas:

"Your lovely home, the friendly and welcoming village have helped us to recuperate"; "We are looking forward to spending our next holiday here with you and our many friends in Jardim do Mar."

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Thursday, 14 January 2016

Guest message 69

January 2016

Key words and ideas:

"Beautiful house and delicious fresh fruits"; "We really felt like at home, especially when listening to the music colelction, which we loved"; "Sofia, you are a really lovely person"; "We would like to come back one day."

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Tuesday, 29 December 2015

Guest message 68

December 2015

Key words and ideas:

"We had a really happy time"; "Cosy house"; "Enjoying the great view and your nice music collection"; "Feeling really at home."

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Sunday, 13 December 2015

Madeira Islands: World's Leading Island Destination 2015

View from Fanal [August 2012 © Nelio ]
Madeira Islands elected the World's Leading Island Destination 2015 by World Travel Awards, which are hailed as ‘the Oscars of the travel industry’. Its 22nd edition took place in El Jadida, Morocco, on the 12th December 2015.

In 2014 and 2013 Madeira Islands were 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 2014
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 2014
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, 31 October 2015

Guest message 67

October 2015

Key words and ideas:

"We spent a super time here"; "You home is super pleasant for its decoration and the warmth it emanates"; "We appreciated walking in the narrow paths in Jardim do Mar and go to Joe's Bar"; "We keep a pleasant memory of our Winter trips and of the warmth and the zenitude (feeling of serenity) of your house"; "Thank you for all the little attentions and your welcome."

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Sunday, 18 October 2015

A view of Laurel Forest in Madeira

Second place prize: a view of the Laurissilva (laurel forest) of Madeira, Portugal. Photo by Jorge Nelson Alves

Wiki Loves Earth, a competition where participants take photographs of protected natural areas and upload their photos to Wikimedia Commons, was held internationally for the second time in 2015.

The world’s largest LAURISSILVA forest is located on the island of Madeira. In 1999 the 15,000 hectare indigenous ‘living relic’ was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It plays an important role in the ecological balance of Madeira thus sustaining the endemic flora and fauna.

(Please, click on the picture to enlarge it or here.)

Saturday, 19 September 2015

Guest message 66

September 2015

Key words and ideas:

"Lovely welcome"; "We enjoyed our time in your beautiful house, hearing your music selection and enjoying the magic view over Jardim do Mar"; "Happy to meet you, spend some nice moments with you and learn interesting things about Madeira."

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Tuesday, 8 September 2015

Guest message 65

September 2015

Key words and ideas:

"The house is so pleasant and relaxing"; "The village and the inhabitants are warmhearted."

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Monday, 17 August 2015

Guest message 64

August 2015

Key words and ideas:

"Magnificent house"; "Marvelous Island"; "Madeira Island is really exceptional and we loved to explore it"; "The expression «my home is your home» is perfectly true here"; "We felt the house as our home: a well-being, warm and magnetic atmosphere could be felt"; "Thank you Sofia for your reception, smile and kindness - it is in our memories and in our hearts."

note: we really appreciated the effort to leave us the message also in Portuguese. Thank you ;-).

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Thursday, 23 July 2015

Guest message 63

July 2015

Key words and ideas:

"The most peaceful and beautiful place"; "A real home."

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Wednesday, 17 June 2015

Guest message 62


June 2015

Key words and ideas:

"We have spent an unforgetable week in this beautiful house and on this Island that is a little piece of paradise"; "The CDs were pleasant to listen to and the house is nice place to live"; "Thank you for your reception and kindeness."

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Monday, 15 June 2015

Guest message 61

Message in beautiful painting by Sanne (2011)

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note: we republished this post as it was not numbered