Page 56 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Fall/Winter 2024

EASY
ACCESS
TO MADEIRA
WITH SATA
SATA Azores Airlines offers year-round direct flights to Madeira from Toronto and Montreal and has connecting flights to Lisbon and Porto. Reaching Madeira is also possible with flights from most European gateway cities. For more details on SATA Azores airlines and its Madeira route, see azoresairlines.pt
56 DREAMSCAPES FALL/WINTER 2024
A TASTE OF MADEIRA:
CULINARY DELIGHTS
Our days in Madeira were filled with exploration and adventure, but the evenings brought a different kind of delight—Madeira’s rich and diverse culinary scene. Every meal was an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the island’s flavours, a fusion of traditional Portuguese cuisine and unique island tastes.
One evening, we dined at Armazém do Sal, a restaurant tucked away in the heart of Funchal, the island’s capital. The stone walls and candlelit tables created an intimate setting, perfect for a romantic dinner. We started with a platter of local specialties—bolo do caco, a traditional garlic bread served with herb butter, and lapas, grilled limpets seasoned with garlic and lemon. Each bite was a delight, bursting with the fresh, vibrant flavours of the sea.
For our main course, we couldn’t resist trying the espetada, a Madeiran specialty of skewered beef marinated in garlic and herbs, grilled to perfection over an open flame. The meat was tender and juicy, infused with the smoky aroma of the grill. As we savoured our meal, the sound of traditional Fado music filled the air, adding to the ambiance of the evening. No meal in Madeira would be complete without a glass of the island’s famous Madeira wine.
The next day, we visited a family-run winery nestled in the hills, where we learned about the centuries-old process of winemaking that has made Madeira wine renowned worldwide. We sampled a range of varieties, from the dry Sercial to the sweet Malvasia, each one telling its own story of the island’s terroir and traditions. As we sipped our wine, overlooking the vineyards that stretched out before us, we felt a deep connection to the land and its people—a bond that would stay with us long after we returned home.
EXPLORING THE ISLAND’S
CULTURAL RICHES
Madeira is not just a haven for nature lovers; it’s also a treasure trove of cultural experiences. One of our favourite discoveries was the town of Santana, famous for its traditional thatched-roof houses. These tri- angular, A-frame cottages, brightly painted, look like they’ve been plucked from the pages of a storybook.
And then there’s Funchal, a vibrant city that blends Old World charm with modern flair. By day, we strolled the cobblestone streets, admiring the remarkable architecture, and sampled delicacies at the bustling Mercado dos Lavradores. On our final evening, we ascended to Monte by cable car, enjoying panoramic views as the sun set behind the mountains. It was the perfect finale to our magical trip to Madeira. DS
PHOTOS: VISIT MADEIRA/FRANCISCO CORREIA | VISIT MADEIRA/LUIS FREITAS | VISIT MADEIRA/RICARDO FARIA PAULINO