Portugal - Madeira: The Island Of Flowers And Its Mansions (83/151)

Portugal - Madeira: The Island Of Flowers And Its Mansions (83/151)

Austria's Empress Sissi was quite charmed by Madeira. Winston Churchill, beguiled by the beauty of the landscape, put his cigar aside and started to paint. Today Madeira is known as the island of flowers, as the floating garden, highly renowned for its natural and cultural heritage: a place of harmony between man and nature. This journey takes us into the wild mountain region of the "Forest Island", to the spectacular coastal stretches in the north-west, to the rugged storm-beaten cliffs in the east of the island. While showcasing the beauty of Madeira's contrasting landscapes, the film follows historical trails. 200 years ago the English were the first Madeira tourists - in search of a sophisticated refuge. An aura of exclusivity still lingers around the Quintas de Madeira: former estates and mansions, nowadays open to all travellers. Among the film's stopovers is Funchal, the island capital with its special flair. There we visit the enchanting Blandy's Garden with its tropical-Mediterranean vegetation; vintners reveal a few of the secrets surrounding the Madeira wine Canteiro. The Festa de Flor, the annual flower festival at the end of April, provides the colourful framework for a travel report that explores Madeira - "Island of Eternal Spring" - on its own routes.