Full Day Tour of Magical Madeira....with Wine....

It’s another full day tour, but this time we meet the bus and hop on for a “Wine Tour”....but ohhh, Madeira...who knew this island was so spectacular?!

We start out the day not far from the hotel at Blandy’s Wine Cellar.  Time for a small taste of Madeira wine....the process explained carefully first and a tour of the cellar which held many, MANY casks of wine within cool stone walls.

Just a little taste!  It’s going to be a long day!  Soon we are back on the bus and on our way along the island highway, transiting many tunnels.  The tunnels are relatively “new” and have made getting around the island time efficient, literally cutting hours of travel time between villages.  

Take a look!  You’ll see the terrain is VERY mountainous....who knew?

We are astounded by the high, green peaks reaching up to clear blue skies.  Notice the terrace gardens of the houses at the bottom of the photo above?

We arrive at the next winery for a tour of vineyard.  All the island farming is done terrace style...for a good reason!

This is a view of the multiple levels of grape vines.

The small village below is now much “closer” to Funchal city due to the tunnels.  However, the main access road is THE ROAD.

Once people are in their neighborhood, the last bit or big last bit, is a walk up the terrace levels...with groceries...or?  

The tower in the background was built by the wives of fishermen who went off to sea...and it was full of prayers and gratitude for safe return.  

It took many years of saving to actually build the tower, but they got it done!

We get a chance to appreciate the grapes, before a fabulous lunch!

The salad and bread are just the beginning.  Then big chunks of beef right off the barbecue on long skewers, are hung from a 

chain over the table.

This would have been plenty!  But, no!  Not to be.  We are off to yet another part of the island, overlooking the sea...to taste more local wine.

Here’s the view from the deck where our table is set and waiting.  We had almost forgotten the island of Madeira is surrounded by the Atlantic!

27 world travelers (and wine tasters) knowing that our time together is coming to an end.  What a glorious day!

Magical Madeira....don’t you agree?