Since last week Madeira has been watching its forests and some abandoned lands on fire. Due to the very warm weather that Madeira Island has been feeling since last Monday, many hectares of dry plants have burnt down and it has also extended to some of the protected Laurel Forest - a bio-genetic reserve also labeled World Natural Heritage of UNESCO.

Until know there is no human lost though Madeira Natural History is getting lost with many endemic species of fauna and flora being damaged.

The grape harvest takes place all over the island in September. This has been the main reason behind the Wine Festival for a long time now. The Columbus Festival in Porto Santo island and a open air concert in Camara de Lobos with Madredeus, are events not to be missed. There are also several international sports events in Madeira Islands this month.

From the 1st to the 5th
Madeira Wine Festival
Celebrated at a time of the year when grapes are being collected all over the island. In the district of Câmara de Lobos, at a distance of about 12 km from Funchal, the festival begins with the actual picking of the grapes. The rest of the wine making ritual, namely carrying the grapes to the press, pressing of the grapes and all the traditions of a typical Madeira feast, are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. There are a variety of activities and shows in Funchal connected to traditional wine-making.

From the 1st to the 3rd
ON Fusion Art by Porto Bay
This is an artistic event that will take place in the Old Sector of the city of Funchal, and is promoted by Porto Bay Hotels & Resorts.

From the 2nd to the 3rd
Feast of Jesus and Holy Sacrament - Ponta Delgada
This is one of the biggest pilgrimages in Madeira. Multitudes of people fill the village of Ponta Delgada, from all over the island, transforming it into a religious feast which is truly rich in tradition and festivity.

Grape Festival- Porto da Cruz
Porto da Cruz, a predominantly wine-producing area, celebrates the grape festival which is seen as a good pretext for festivity. There is a street procession which brings out many cultural aspects of the district.

From the 2nd to the 3rd
ZAGI - Porto Santo 2006
Festival of model aircraft flying, is organised by the Aeroclube da Madeira and will take place in Porto Santo.

From the 4th to the10th
Madeira Island Juve Cup
Tennis tournament, sponsored by the Piti Tennis Club. Takes place in Porto Santo and about 100 tennis players from 20 countries take part in it.

From the 9th to the10th
Cider Sampling - Santo da Serra
In order to promote what was formerly a popular tradition on the island, a public feast is held in honour of this drink, in the district of Santo da Serra. This feast includes a small procession, with the pressing of the apples, as well as much music and lively activities connected to the theme.

From the 11th to the17th
Madeira International Tennis Tournament
Sponsored by the Funchal Tennis Club. Takes place in Funchal with about 110 tennis players participating.

From the 14th to the16th
Christopher Columbus Festival - Vila Baleira, Porto Santo
A feast is held in honour of Christopher Columbus. It includes many cultural and folk events.

From the 14th to the17th
World Beach Volleyball Championship “Praia do Porto Santo 2006”
This event is sponsored by the Madeira Volleyball Association, and teams from around the world participate. Takes place in the Penedo do Sono beach in Porto Santo island.

From the 15th to the16th
Artmar Festival
The Artmar Festival is an open-air music and arts festival, which takes place at the emblematic Ilhéu Garden in Câmara de Lobos.

From the 16th to the17th
Our Lady of Piety Feast - Caniçal
Very characteristic feast in the fishing village of Caniçal, above all for the unique procession taking place in the bay, with many boats taking part. The boats leave the New Quay in Caniçal, decorated with palm leaves and flags, due for the quay at the Quinta do Lorde. On this quay, the participants continue their procession on foot up to the Chapel of “Nossa Senhora da Piedade”, returning once more by boat to the village of Caniçal.

Apple Festival - Ponta do Pargo
Taking place in a rural environment in the district of Ponta do Pargo, Council District of Calheta, bringing together many farmers from neighbouring regions. There are the usual outdoor stands selling food and drinks, turning it into a very popular feast.

From the 30th September to the 7th October
Round the islands Cycling
Sponsored by the Madeira Sports Association, this international event has about 40 cyclists taking part. The first 2 days are runned in Porto Santo island.

Source:Madeira Tourism Board - September Newsletter

The partnership between the hotels Casa Velha do Palheiro, Choupana Hills and Quinta do Furão, the Windsor travel agency and the leisure company Madeira Wind Birds, named Madeira Birdwatching Experience, will be present with a stand at the British Birdwatching Fair 2006, from the 18th to the 20th of August.

This Birdfair is considered the event of the year bird and wildlife enthusiasts and it is held annually on Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland Water, Oakham. It has been attracting a growing number of visitants with last year fair reaching the 18 thousand visitants and 300 exhibitors.

Each year the Birdlife International chooses an international conservation issue to support with funds raised by visitant's entrances, the exhibitor's fees, by sponsors and by the Birdfair auction where exhibitors may donate their products or services. This year the conservation project chosen is the Pacific Parrots.

Madeira Birdwatching Experience, partly supported by Madeira's Promotional Bureau, aware of the importance of Nature conservation, has donated a package week in Madeira for a couple, rotating through the partner hotels and 3 days of nature tours included, that will be auctioned during this year's fair. For more information, please visit them at the Birdfair, marquee 1, stand 57.

Source: Madeira Tourism Board - July Newsletter

In August 2006, Funchal’s bay will welcome sailboats on their last leg of the first European regatta that will link Cork Island, Ireland, to Madeira from July 21 to August 6.

The event commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Lisbon Naval Association that, in partnership with Funchal city’s 500th year Committee, decided to make Madeira the finishing line for this regatta which will call in at ports steeped in sailing tradition.
The 1st Atlantic Meeting regatta is for the cruiser (IRC) and 40 classes and will start on July 21st at the Irish island of Cork. Participants will then sail to La Rochelle, France(on the 22nd), Corunna and Cádiz (on the 24th) and Lisbon where the race’s first stage will end.
The second stage, Lisbon-Madeira regatta, starting on July 30th -will include participants from mainland Portugal and Madeira. In Madeira, participants will dock at Quinta do Lorde Marina and, on August 5th, will attend the awards dinner for the general category of the 2nd stage Regatta of the 1st Atlantic Meeting.

Source: Madeira Tourism Board - July Newsletter

This summer the Spanish air company “Hola-Airlines” will be operating a charter flight to Porto Santo between the months of July and September.

The company will operate a Boeing 757-200 with capacity for 200 passengers and will fly a weekly connection between Spain and the Porto Santo Island. The company wants to contribute to increase the number of visitors to Porto Santo and keeping in mind the steady growth of Spanish visitors to Madeira, this objective will definitely be achieved.

Source: Madeira Tourism Board - July Newsletter