One travel expert’s advice may just make your summer
Craving a slice of Hawaii without breaking the bank? One travel enthusiast may just have an ideal budget-friendly recommendation for you.
Last month, ‘Jamie Travel’ took to TikTok to share his admiration for what’s commonly dubbed the ‘Hawaii of Europe’. Boasting picturesque black sand beaches, mountain trails and vibrant cultural spots, this hidden gem has something for everyone. And Jamie said he managed to get return flights for £67 with Ryanair, too.
“I always wondered why Madeira was called the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ and soon found out why,” Jamie told his 29,000 followers. “I visited for four days earlier this year, and it definitely exceeded my expectations. If you love adventure, hiking or just spending time in nature, but also want the option to chill by a pool, I highly encourage you to visit.
“We secured flights for just £67, made our way into one of the most dangerous airport landings in Europe before checking into our hotel in the city of Funchal.”
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Madeira is a small Portuguese archipelago situated roughly 1,000 km from the European mainland and 500 km from North Africa. It consists of four scenic islands, and its capital city, Funchal, was the birthplace of legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although Jamie insists there are ‘101 things to do’ in Madeira, he drew special attention to its various hiking routes, which are also known as ‘PR trails’. These run alongside waterfalls and pass through tunnels while providing ‘breathtaking mountain views’.
He continued: “It’s impossible to show you everything that we got up to in one short video, but I will show you the best of what we did there. We started day one by taking a Bolt Taxi up to the PR1 trail for what turned out to be an absolutely incredible sunrise.
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“We followed the trail to many of the viewpoints along the way and also walked the famous ‘Stairway to Heaven’. We then took a cable car up to Monte Palace, which is one of the most unique places in Madeira before opting for a quicker way down using the famous wicker toboggan ride.”
In the days following, Jamie and his companions spent some time exploring the island’s black sand beaches and natural pools. They also ventured through the eerily enchanting Fanal Forest, considered part of the Laurisilva Forest.
You’d be forgiven for thinking this UNESCO Heritage site was pulled straight from a set of The Hobbit. It conserves the largest surviving area of primary laurel forest – a vegetation type now confined to the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands.
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“We also hiked the PR9 trail, which is a 14km out-and-back trail that passes through waterfalls and tunnels,” Jamie said. “And you end up at this huge waterfall, the Caldeirão Verde.
“It is definitely a trip that went far too quick, so I hope to revisit in the near future. I hope this is your sign to book that trip to Madeira, as it’s not somewhere you want to miss.”