Strong Northwest winds have been blowing all around Madeira Islands. Yesterday the wind has reached 100 km/hour and caused some damages in Madeira Island tourist attractions. The entertainment most influenced by the wind was the Madeira panoramic balloon in Funchal that was tied down to the ground and the strong winds ripped it off and pushed it down on the sea. This tourist attraction has always depended on wind conditions to work safely and so it only worked with light winds.

One of the world biggest helium balloons which elevated people and spotted Funchal atmosphere before the wind storm of 19th March 2007

Photo by: Miguel Fagundes

What remains now from the Madeira panoramic balloon

Photo by: Duarte Araújo

Madeira is still on a yellow alert due to the strong winds in the sea and higher altitudes. The temperature will decrease and rain showers and some snow on the mountains may be expected.

Good news for Madeira tourism! The airline market in Madeira Islands has finally become free for all air travel companies to operate. Until now the connections between Funchal/Porto Santo and Lisbon/Oporto/Faro was considered public service and so it was hard to new companies to join and compete freely. Finally the Portuguese government has decided to open this market freely and so from May 2007 on any airline can operate on the connections of Madeira Islands to mainland Portugal. Easy Jet will be the first low cost airline operating in Madeira.

The highest point of Carnival and one of the main tourist events in Madeira Islands, is on the Carnival's Saturday, this year on the 17th of February, when a majestic pageant parade flows through the main streets of Funchal city. Thousands of participants, divided into several groups, fulfill the city downtown with music and joy.

The Carnival’s Tuesday, on the 20th of February, is reserved for the Trickster Parade, a traditional Madeira parade open to everyone, where humor and social satire are the main ingredients. Giant dolls and a lot of bunglers entertain the public interacting on a harmful way.

Source: Madeira Tourism Board - February Newsletter

Christmas traditions are deeply ingrained in the habits of Madeira people and they combine with the joyful New Year celebrations to transform Madeira into one big party!

This year’s programme is rich in cultural, traditional and artistic events. It began in November, when the illuminations were turned on in downtown Funchal and will last until the 6th of January, the Twelfth Night.

Funchal’s downtown streets are decked with lights of all sizes and colours and squares are decorated with flowers. The city is brighten up with Christmas shoppers, Xmas carols sounding in the streets and charming visitors.

Here and there around the city, there are performances by folklore groups, philharmonic bands and a variety of Christmas exhibitions, some of which are living pictures of the old Madeira traditions. After Christmas, fun continues as everyone waits for the highest point of Madeira’s New Year Celebrations, the fireworks! This pyrotechnic extravaganza is absolutely magnificent.

Source: Madeira Tourism Board - December Newsletter