Are Madeira and the Azores the new Canaries? Simon Calder explains how these Portuguese islands offer almost everything the visitor could want – except a beach.
Madeira and the Azores are very different from the Canaries but, says Simon, they are possibly a lot more fun.
Madeira is 100 miles north of the main Canary Islands and the Azores are north west of Madeira in the middle of the Atlantic and on roughly the same latitude as Lisbon. Both destinations are different from the Canaries because they are Portuguese, not Spanish. The landscape is also different. It is hillier, more volcanic and lusher because the islands get a lot more rainfall than the Canaries.
So, asks Alison, are Madeira and the Azores not more suitable for the ‘sherry and slippers’ brigade?
Simon admits that Madeira has tended to attract a more mature customer mainly because beaches are sadly lacking. In fact there are barely two grains of sand to rub together. However a lot of hotels have good pools and there is now a big theme park on the north coast. It’s not Disneyland, says Simon, but it is a pretty good addition to the island and if you were going there with young children you could stay there for just about a full day.
There is some really fine scenery and Simon says that now Madeira has received EU funding for its roads, getting around the island is much easier than it used to be.
The Azores are pretty untouched by tourism. The islands don’t have the big hotels and resorts you find in the Canaries. It is now much easier to get to the Azores thanks to a new direct flight from Gatwick to Ponta Delgarda on San Miguel island. From there it is just short hops to the other islands in the Azores. You can also combine a holiday in the Azores with Madeira.
But, asks Alison, what about the rain? When is the best time to go? The weather on the island is pretty changeable admits Simon. It’s probably coldest and dampest in January but it is one of those destinations where you can get all four seasons in one day.
Despite the changeable weather these islands are still well worth visiting. The people are open and generous, there are some great places to stay and prices are relatively low.
It looks like the Canaries could have a fight on their hands.
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