| |
|
|
| |
Home
>
World
> Europe
> Portugal
> Madeira
|
Social Profile
Food & Drink: Regional dishes include sopa de tomate e cebola (tomato and onion soup), caldeirada (fish soup), bife de atum e milho frito (tuna steak and fried maize), carne em vinha d’alho (pickled pork and garlic), espada (fresh black sword fish), espetada (beef grilled on laurel wood skewers over an open fire) and bolo de mel (Madeira honey cake).
Popular wines of Madeira are malmsey (Malvasia), a sweet dessert wine, bual and the dry serceal. Wines, spirits and beers imported from mainland Portugal and Europe are also available. Galão, a glass of milky coffee and bica, a small cup of black coffee, are also popular.
Nightlife: Some hotels have excellent nightclubs with music for dancing and international cabaret entertainment. Folk entertainment is also included in the weekly programme of these hotels and in most cases non-residents are welcome.
Shopping: In Funchal, there is a wide variety of shops selling everyday goods, as well as many souvenirs. Special purchases include Madeira folk art such as embroidery, tapestry and wickerwork. Madeira wine is a popular gift.
Special Events: Throughout the year, numerous events take place on Madeira and it is a good idea to visit at the time of a specific festival. Around Christmas and New Year, for example, there are some really spectacular celebrations. Cruise ships often stop the night of 31 December in Funchal Harbour so that passengers can appreciate the firework displays, accompanied by church bells and ships’ sirens, which herald the New Year. For a complete list of events on Madeira, contact ICEP. The following is a small selection of events celebrated annually in Madeira:
Feb Carnival. Apr Flower Festival. Aug Our Lady of Grace; Our Lady of Pity. Sep Santíssimo Sacramento; Madeira Wine Festival. Dec Switching on the Christmas Illuminations; Saint Silvester Fireworks.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
Terms and Conditions apply.
|
|
|
|
|
