Madeira Holidays - Portugal

Winston Churchill said he wanted somewhere 'warm, paintable, bathable, comfortable and flowery' to convalesce and restore his spirit.

A friend came up with Madeira and a suite at Hotel Reid's Palace. Today, this semi-tropical speck in the Atlantic, 700km off the west coast of Africa, still fulfils all his criteria. Holiday hotels here are how they used to be; staff remember your name and serve proper afternoon tea and dinner is worth dressing up for. Many of our properties, including Reid's, have pampering spas and are high on luxury. We are also sure you'll like our collection of charming quintas; intimate hillside retreats with easy access to the island's levadas. These irrigation sluices, carved into the hillsides, criss-cross the island, providing walkers with views of Madeira's volcanic jagged peaks and precipitous basalt cliffs.

Funchal has wonderful gardens and historic churches.
Câmara de Lobos was one of Winston Churchill's favourite places.
Nun's Valley; a deep valley and tiny village where the nuns fled to, escaping invading pirates.
Watch the sunset from Ponta do Sol, meaning Point of the Sun.
Visit wine lodges and sample different varieties of Madeira wine.

Tour Madeira's tumbling mountain countryside including the Pico do Arieiro, the island's second highest point, and Santana, famous for its A-shaped thatched cottages. Or take a scenic tour featuring Porto Moniz, with its natural bathing pools, and Cabo Girão, one of the world's highest sea cliffs. A full excursion programme is available; please see your Sovereign Concierge for details.