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Swimming Pool
With breathtaking views of the mountains, sea and bay of Funchal, the swimming pool area has an outstanding sun terrace. The outdoor freshwater swimming pool is heated all year round - the Staff will gladly provide sun lounges, parasols and towels. This is a perfect place to relax as you can also ease yourself into one of the chairs of the poolside snack bar and enjoy a cocktail or lighter meal, while overlooking Funchal bay.
Gardens
The Quinta is set in 20.000 sqm of old established gardens with narrow cobbled paths and many exotic specimen trees and shrubs, such as kapok, paulownia, hibiscus and colourful flowering creepers. It is situated on the hillside on the northwest outskirts of Funchal, 1,5 miles from centre, with superb views across the mountains, bay and, on a clear day, to the Desertas Islands.
Antiques
Who honours us, wishes much more than a hotel, searches for an ambience, history, tradition and refined taste. The Quinta hosts a significant antiques private collection, testimonial of a long time quest. Expression of and passing by three centuries of culture, you will find peaces testifying the skill of Portuguese, English, German, French and Italian fine craftsmen - among others. In each Suite you will be overwhelmed with unique works of art. Therefore do accept our invitation and explore Quinta da Bela Vista, where you will find a truly living museum.
Other Facilities
Enjoy staying with us - cocktail bars and lounges with open fireplaces, billiards room, card room, library, small fitness room with Jacuzzi and sauna, tennis court. Golf enthusiasts will be pleased to know that nearby there are two superb golf courses, where our guests can enjoy discounted green fees. Charter our Yacht "Gavião" and sail around. Experience the wonders of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the unique opportunity of sipping a cocktail on the high sea at sunset.
Activities And Events
Touring the island is highly recommended. Only 32 miles long and 12 miles wide this incredibly surprising sub-tropical island rises to almost 6000 feet at its highest point. Madeira has an enormous variety of exotic sub-tropical vegetation with a mass of flowers in every garden, spectacular mountains and deep valley scenery, pine forests, waterfalls and craggy cliffs and a network of vines, like spiders' webs covering the hillsides and providing grapes for the famous Madeira Wine. We reinforce: while visiting Madeira do not miss the opportunity to discover all these wonders - Reception Staff gladly will assist you in making the right choice.
Nature Walks
Follow the winding course of the "Levadas" - irrigation canals built by natives in the early days of Madeira Island colonization. All major levadas have maintenance paths running alongside them, making them ideal hiking trails. Most guidebooks now include maps and directions for levada walks, including some that follow canals laid out in the 16th century. Walking is the ideal away to discover and enjoy Madeira Island's beautiful scenery. Nearly all of these footpaths are within the "Laurissilva" forest.
To get away from it all, wander through valleys, hills, mountains, brooks and waterfalls, may it be through trekking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, canoeing and paragliding. Head to Pico do Areiro for a picnic - two different picnic menus are available, the Reception Staff will be pleased to be of assistance - and experienced breathtaking views. Then take the hiking path into the clouds along a razor-sharp ridge to the highest peak - Pico Ruivo1861 meters high - nearly four miles away. Pause every few minutes to snap pictures of clouds, share themselves on crags and green canyons rippling 2,000 feet below on both sides.
Madeira native forest can be quoted as a relic, a live fossil originated in the Tertiary, which once covered large areas of the Mediterranean basin and in our days only exists on the Atlantic Islands, forming the so called Biographical Region of Macaronesia - Madeira, Azores and Canaries Islands. Nevertheless, Madeira is the most representative area of this region - due to the dimension and its global conservation, as well as for the diversity and exuberance of its species. Recognizing that - in December 1999 - Madeira "Laurissilva" forest was classified by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage, being currently the only asset in Portugal of this kind.
Monk Seals - these are considered to be the rarest seals in the world only findable in few areas of the Mediterranean and Mauritania seas - only 500 hundred specimens worldwide. 25 five of them you will find in "Desertas" Islands. Fortunately, contrarily to what is happening in other areas of the globe, this group is the only one growing and it is the only colony showing signs of recovery. They are known has monk seals of the Mediterranean, due to their preference for caves to rest and for the texture of their skin - once out of the water, the skin around the neck gets all wrinkled, looking like a Franciscan friar. Gratefully in "Desertas" Islands the factors that led to the endangering of these species have been eliminated and the monk seals have gained new confidence in their habitat, reproducing well in these last few years.
Events
Innumerous events are held throughout the year, but some have gained worldwide exposure and recognition. New Year's Eve is undoubtedly the most popular one, due to the magnificent firework display in Funchal amphitheatre. This holiday season offers you a unique opportunity to visit the Island. These are unique days and, by far, the Family Festive per excellence. The Island is adorned and lid up - a quarter of a million lights will illuminate trees, line roads, as well as many decorations spread throughout Funchal city. Nevertheless, there are other excellent festivities that you should not miss, like the Carnival in March; in March Madeira Island Open Golf Tournament (part of PGA European Tour Tournament); Flower Festival in May; in the 1st weekend of August Madeira Wine Rally; 8th, 9th and 10th September Madeira Wine Festival, etc.
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