Having recently returned from Funchal, I got to wondering what makes it such a pleasant place to visit. It’s not at all like other European destinations (it is Portuguese), in that it is warm if not balmy in November, has a tropical feel and at times something of an olde world charm, which has been lost elsewhere.
Funchal itself has modernised a lot in recent years, with new hotels, restaurants and leisure places to go. The people are really friendly, and service in restaurants and elsewhere are second to none. It always feels safe, crime is very low, and if the town gets too busy, there are trips that you can take to other towns along the coast, or into the mountains to walk their famous Levada trails. I’ve not done one yet, but the day trips out to sea to see whales and dolphins are very popular.
We’ll be back there before long, I’m sure. It’s not often you find somewhere that you do want to go back to time and tie again, but Funchal is certainly one such place.
