About Madeira Islands

Madeira is a small Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean comprising a namesake island, Porto Santo and a few unpopulated islets. Famed for its year-round mild climate and stunning scenery, Madeira has rightfully earned the nicknames ‘islands of eternal spring’ and ‘pearl of the Atlantic’. It’s also renowned for producing the popular Madeira wine and exquisite cuisine, helping it become one of Portugal’s most visited regions. The capital, Funchal is set before dramatic coastal mountains, boasting beautiful architecture, excellent snorkelling spots and a bustling ‘Old Zone’ with quirky streets and superb restaurants. While Madeira Island is the archipelago’s cultural hub, the idyllic Porto Santo offers nine kilometres of white sandy beach and a refreshingly laidback atmosphere. Ferries run frequently between the ports of Funchal and Porto Santo, operated by a popular local ferry company, making it even easier to explore the beautiful Madeira Islands.

About Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the second most populous island in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. A ‘continent in miniature’, Gran Canaria is locally known. This is due to the huge variety of landscapes and micro-climates, with vast mountains, long beaches and green ravines all coming together on this 1,500 square-kilometre landmass. A third of Gran Canaria is classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, but elsewhere, you will find a rich history in the cosmopolitan capital of Las Palmas, a charming hilltop village in Tejeda and a network of superb cycling routes winding through the valleys. Travelling by ferry is a convenient way to explore the Canaries, and, given Gran Canaria’s central location, it’s within easy reach from nearly every other island. There are also some long-distance connections from mainland Spain which are operated by a couple of excellent ferry companies.