Self-catering holiday rentals in Madeira.Casa Serena has two one bedroom luxury apartments on the sunny south west of the island, 25-minute drive to the capital Funchal and 40 -minute drive from the airport. Superbly located on the hillside overlooking the mountains and the sea, you can watch the para-gliders on the mountains or the ships sail past. more info...

Madeira, located off the West African coast of Morroco, has a sub-tropical climate that makes it a popular destination all year long. The pace of life is relaxed, with plenty of activities available both onland and in the sea. Discovered in 1419, the island has been slow to pick up tourism due to the relatively late establishment of an airport. The high ratio of residents has preserved the unhurried, traditional way of life and the island's natural environment. An important stepping stone to the New World of the Americas in past centuries, the island has a rich history.

The island enjoys a sub-tropical climate all year long, with summer temperatures (July to October) averaging between 21 - 25 degrees celcius and winter temperatures ranging between 16-20 degrees celcius. The direst month is July, with the majority of rain falling from October to March.

The island is 55 km long and 22 km wide, making getting around relatively easy. Canico is 15 minutes from the capital, Funchal, and 20 minutes from the airport.

The islands important role in colonial times is recorded in various museums such as the Christopher Columbus museum, while there are others which offer an insight into the island's traditional way of life such as the whale museum and the museum of natural history.
The village of Caniao has shops, bars, restaurants and supermarkets, while the beach is a short walk away and is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, drinking and eating exquisite seafood.
On land the island is ideal for walking, with enough variation in altitude to provide interest to all levels of fitness. For a more 'organised' view of the local nature, visit the Jardim Orquidea and Botanica gardens, as well as the public gardens of Quintas of Monte, Palheiro Ferreiro, Palmeira, and Boa Vista.
There are public tennis and squash facilities at Quinta Magnolia and the island has two 18 hole golf courses.
For water lovers, there is scuba diving, big game fishing from June to september and the island has recently been 'discovered' by surfers looking for the big break.
- madeira-web.com: Multi-lingual tourist information resource to Madeira.
- madeiraarchipelago.com: Photographic site of Madeira.






