Month: February 2016

Funchal ‘Secret Places’ – Sao Pedro

Published by From Madeira to Mars

Follow my blog with Bloglovin Despite being in the reach of all those who want to discover Funchal ‘secret places’, this city can still surprise me with unexpected revelations. “Secrets” which are no secret, this post talks more about discoveries in my own city, which share here with you. I hope it inspires you to discover how do your “secret places” in Funchal, look like… Location: Sao Pedro Imagine a neighborhood in the city center, with narrow and steep streets that run towards the sea. It was in the fifteenth century, that the Madeiran families started living in this area, away from Santa Maria do Calhau, now known as Old Town. The houses of this neighborhood have wooden blinders, walls in warm colors and small gardens with bougainvillea. Here one feels the silence, sometimes interrupted by the voices that echo from the televisions. This is where I live, ‘my neighborhood’; Sao Pedro. For me, this area has a special charm. It reminds me of the streets of my childhood, which used to be my playground, …

Madeira

19 signs you are from Madeira

Published by From Madeira to Mars

After finding this article, I’ve decided to write this one: 19 signs you were born in Madeira: 1. You love the sea, and you can not live without it. 2. If you were asked which is the best beach in the world? Your answer would be Porto Santo Beach, without a doubt. 3. There is also no doubt that Madeira Island is “The Most Beautiful Island in the World”, then the Azores.;) 4. You love ‘Arraiais’, music, ‘wine with laranjada’ and ‘bolo do caco’ with garlic butter. 5. To meaning of enjoying the nightlife is going out for a drink, preferably after 11 p.m., the party starts late and ends at dawn. 6. The word ‘Poncha’ makes you smile. 7. You love Christmas, especially the night of the market and the ‘Labour masses’. 8. You love Carnival and the Flower Festival, and it’s most likely that you have already participated in the parade, along with the streets of Funchal. 9. The best New Year’s Eve is celebrated in Funchal, for sure. 10. You love to …

New Year’s Festival in Dublin

Published by From Madeira to Mars

New Year’s Festival 2015 was celebrated in DUBLIN. I was looking for something different, a new destination to explore and different ways to celebrate the new year. I wanted a place where the new year festivities weren’t just about the midnight countdown and fireworks in the skies. Seen that, been there. I was looking for something special, something that inspired me to start the new year with a purpose. I found it in Dublin. Dublin is, not only a beautiful city with nice cozy bars, amazing live music performances and friendly people, but also a truly inspirational city through its history, innovation and the way it captures your emotional state. I must say that attending some of the events included in the Dublin New Years festivities, such as the poetry slam and Resolution Day, changed my awareness of mental health. To Make mental health a priority, became my new resolution for 2016. What’s New Year festivities got to do with it? In Dublin the local associations are working in close proximity with the organizers of …

A rejuvenating Ayurveda Retreat in Madeira Island

Published by From Madeira to Mars

A rejuvenating Ayurveda Retreat in Madeira Island To Relax and recover: wellness was, in fact, the first reason why tourism started in Madeira. Visitors came to escape the stormy winters, to enjoy the benefits of our beautiful landscapes, amazing food and good hospitality. I was very happy to discover that tradition is still alive in the Ayurveda Center, where many tourists come year after year, sometimes even 3 times a year, to recover from stress, health issues or simply to relax. This is the life, or as you would easily conclude after staying there, this is what a holiday should look like. The experience: Last January, I’ve spent a day at the Ayurveda Cure Center in Caniço. I was invited by the lovely Nathalie and mother Brigit who runs this center, it’s been 4 years now. It is located in Caniço de Baixo, next to the Hotel Alpino, in Madeira Island. The goal of this center is to promote health care by taking advantage of Ayurvedic treatment programs which are tailored to suit your needs. …

Vegetarian

10 Vegetarian-friendly Restaurants in Madeira

Published by From Madeira to Mars

‘Hi, I’m vegetarian and I would like to know which is the best Vegetarian Restaurant in Madeira?’ This is a question I get frequently asked and to be honest I don’t think Madeira is the easiest place to find exclusive Vegetarian Restaurants, however I do think Madeira has amazing vegetables and fruits which grow easily in the Island due to our fertile soil and climate, so I’m sure we can also offer delicious dishes with the help of our chefs. What’s the difference between a vegetarian and a vegan? Neither vegans nor vegetarians eat meat. However, while vegetarians may consume dairy products and eggs, a vegan excludes all animal products from their diet. Good to Know… Although one of the most typical dishes in the Island is made with beef ‘espetada’ you’ll also find in a typical Madeiran Restaurant, fried corn cubes, sweet potatoes/potatoes, rice, mixed vegetables, tomato and onion soup (my favorite), salads (we always have tomato, lettuce, cucumber and onion salads as a side dish), bolo do caco (typical bread of Madeira that …