Dancing in Jardim do Mar

A typical dance that involves part of the community in a popular feast, happening on the first weekend of October.

New Year's Eve 2012 firework show in Madeira

Jardim do Mar decorated for Christmas

Jardim do Mar square is beautifully decorated with lights for Christmas 2011 and the coming New Year. Christmas and the New Year's Eve are really intensely lived in Madeira.

Funchal "dressed up" with thousands of lights

Christmas time. For this magic time of the year the streets of Funchal get beautifully ‘dressed up’ with thousands of lights in numerous colours. The magnificent Christmas decoration all over Funchal together with the fantastic New Year’s Eve fireworks and activities make Madeira Island one of the most attractive ‘reveillons’ destinations, to which already so many people return every year to experience this special ambience over and over again.

Fado part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Amália is one of the most famous Fado singers: Gaivota

Fado, the famous urban folk popular song of Portugal was recently inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. It happened on the 27th of November, 2011.

Fado is a performance genre incorporating music and poetry widely practised by various communities in Lisbon.

It is usually performed by a solo singer, male or female, traditionally accompanied by a wire-strung acoustic guitar and the Portuguese guitarra – a pear-shaped cittern with twelve wire strings, unique to Portugal, which also has an extensive solo repertoire. The past few decades have witnessed this instrumental accompaniment expanded to two Portuguese guitars, a guitar and a bass guitar.

The dissemination of Fado through emigration and the world music circuit has reinforced its image as a symbol of Portuguese identity, leading to a process of cross-cultural exchange involving other musical traditions.

HISTORY OF FADO
(For English version click on "en" on the top right side of the website)
MORE HISTORY OF FADO part I
MORE HISTORY OF FADO part II
THE PORTUGUESE GUITAR

Guest testimonial 5 (Homelidays website)

"Une belle maison dans un coin de paradis sur terre! Nous sommes ravis de notre séjour ! Sofia est trés accueillante, disponible et sympathique. Sa grande maison est meublée avec beaucoup de goût et est d''un grand confort. Nous avons particulièrement apprécié le village (en dehors du tumulte de la vie moderne), la terrasse et son point de vue magnifique sur la mer, la chambre d''enfant et tous les équipements pour les bébés. Bref, cette maison et ce village ont une véritable âme ! Merci pour tant de gentillesse, de confiance et d''authenticité ! à recommander..."

English version:
("A beautiful house in a portion of paradise on Earth! We are delighted with our stay! Sofia is very welcoming and friendly and available. This great house is tastefully furnished and is comfortable. We particularly appreciated the village (away from the bustle of modern life), the terrace and stunning views of the sea, the children room and all the facilities for babies. In short, this house and the village has a real soul! Thank you for such kindness, trust and authenticity! We will recommend...")

Overall mark given by the renter: 5/5
Date 13/08/2011 - Miss Delphine L. - Member n°5417642 (France)

Testimonials on Homelidays

Guest testimonial 4 (Homelidays website)

"Belle maison, déco soignée dans un village piéton charmant. Vue sur la mer depuis la terrasse. Une bonne adresse"

English version:("A beautiful home, well decorated, in a charming pedestrian village. Ocean view from the terrace. A good place.")

Overall mark given by the renter: 5/5
Date 10/08/2011 - Mrs. eliane p. - Member n°4142420 (France)

Testimonials on Homelidays

Guest testimonial 3 (Homelidays website)

"C'est une maison très agréable, spacieuse, très bien équipée, dans le village le plus paisible et ensoleillé de l''île. On a adoré manger sous les treilles de vignes avec vue sur la mer. Les enfants ont beaucoup aimé les poules et pigeons ainsi que les jardins qui sont tout à côté. En conclusion, c''est une excellente adresse, en plus Sofia et très sympathique."

English version:
("It is a very pleasant, spacious and well equipped home, in the most peaceful and sunny village on the island. We loved to eat under the vines with you with a view over the sea. The kids loved the chickens and the pigeons and also the gardens nearby. To conclude, it's an excellent house and Sofia is very kind.")

Overall mark given by the renter: 5/5
Date 26/07/2011 - Mr. MICHEL B. - Member n°5894847 (France)

Testimonials on Homelidays