Madeira Portugal

In November 2022, I was selected to attend the European Travel Agent Forum held in Madeira, Portugal. Upon learning I was selected, I quickly notified my best friends in London that I would be returning for a visit before I headed to Portugal. I spent 2 days in London where I went Christmas shopping at Harrods, stayed at the magnificent Kimpton Fitzroy and got in a good visit with my best friends. 

I traveled to Madeira via Lisbon and was not happy I couldn't stay longer in the capital city of Portugal. There and then I decided, I WILL BE BACK! My flight was delayed arriving in Madeira so I was able to see the beautiful city lights and the houses lit up on the mountains above. ETAF (European Travel Agent Forum) chose the Savoy Palace to host our stay in Madeira. I can't say enough about the property, it's crew and the hospitality that we were shown.
Our first day we went on a tour with Windsor Travel to the city of Funchal, where we were staying. we rode the funicular up the mountain and were told we would be taking a toboggan down the mountain. What?! We jumped in the wicker baskets and we sled down the hill racing through the streets and alleyways! It was spectacular.
We toured the markets, we were served a delicious plate of local fruit- I even ate tomato for the first time! Then we went wine and chocolate tasting. Madeira wine is world famous. Madeira wine was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson as it was used to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 
after the wine tasting, we stopped in at a local bakery, had a 'poncha' shot which is delicious and rather strong alcoholic drink from Madeira, made with boozy sugar cane rum, honey, sugar, orange/lemon juice and other fruit juices. We ate lunch at a local restaurant which was very tasty!
The rest of my trip was spent meeting with suppliers one on one and learning about the beautiful country of Portugal.
On my last day, I decided to take a jeep tour around the island. We stopped several times to see the natural pools, the jungle, drank a rum shot at a dive bar in the forest and lunch over looking the cliffs and sea below. 
I fell in love with Portugal. I can't wait to return and I can't wait to send you to the magical island of Madeira.