madeira and the azores

Madeira is really lovely. I've made two trips there, though none recently. One thing to keep in mind is that the reason it is so green is that it gets quite a bit of rain. It can be coolish, too, so be aware of that when you plan your wardrobe.

I enjoyed taking the public buses to various points around the island, though Funchal itself is very nice. I especially liked walking along the levadas. Those are irrigation ditches with little paths beside them. Such a walk is a great way to see the countryside. You can do those walks by yourself (there used to be a small book detailing many levada walks), but the tourist office would probably be able to provide information on group walks, which would avoid the need to figure out transportation to and from the levada. If any member of your party has a problem with heights, you'll need to select your walk(s) with some care.

When I visited there was lovely local embroidery for sale, but it was important to look for the small lead seal that indicated local production.