The pyrotechnic show of Funchal Bay, 1 January 2011. With a simple camera it is not possible to capture the real splendour of this amazing event. Guinness World Records: The record for the largest firework display was achieved on Madeira Island…

Was Columbus Portuguese?
I find it hard to believe that the son of a wool-weaver would manage to travel to Lisbon and marry a nobleman’s daughter. However, his Portuguese theory says he was the grandson of the discoverer of Madeira (these explorers…

The world is more divided in terms of preference for wine than ever before.  Some subscribe to the old saying “The first duty of wine is to be red…the second is to be a Burgundy” - Waugh.  Others lament “The…

Although the Algarve is a mature tourist destination, and English is spoken in most of the resorts of the coastal region, inland it is very useful to have some knowledge of the Portuguese language as many people don’t speak English.

The…

Think of Portugal holidays and most people think of the Algarve, or even its neighbouring island Madeira. They think of dramatic rocky coastlines, fabulous soft sandy beaches and perhaps a round or two of golf would spring to mind for some…