Funchal, Madeira Region
This Apartment is REGISTERED with the MUNICIPIO DO FUNCHAL. (24151/AL)
First floor bright and airy apartment in a small six-condo building.
Entrance into a spacious combined living/dining area leading onto balcony with table and chairs. Tiles and parquet flooring. Large fully-fitted kitchen with laundry. Main double bedroom with large sliding door wardrobe and drawers. This bedroom also has a private balcony and en-suite bathroom consisting of overhead bath shower, W.C, bidet and wash-hand basin. 2nd Bedroom consists of two adult single beds, wardrobe and drawers. There is another 1/2 bathroom with WC, wash-hand basin and also a free-standing cubicle housing the massage shower. Linen cupboard in hallway.
There is free outside street parking always available for a car rental if necessary. CABLE TV (40 Channels-All languages) DVD/CD and VIDEO PLAYER (with library) provided. Free WI-FI and Pay-as-you-Go available in apartment and at most shopping malls, cafes and Funchal Cathedral area. N.B. Please contact Owner relative to accommodating Children (under 10 years) Pets and wheelchair accessibility.
FESTIVALS: MADEIRA hosts CARNIVAL WEEK during the month of FEBRUARY/MARCH, but differs annually The GRAND PARADE is held on a SATURDAY and the Fun Parade is on the following Tuesday. So if you feel inclined to donn a Wig or Moustache you are cordially invited to join in the fun with the locals. Singing, Music and Dancing along the streets of the City with small stalls offering the traditional food of the Island.
APRIL/MAY, is FLOWER FESTIVAL TIME. Admire the beautiful Carpet of Flowers along the main Avenue leading up to the Cathedral as well as the Display Marquee of prize orchids and other exotic blooms. The culmination of the Festival is the GRAND PARADE of FLOATS festooned with thousands and thousands of flowers. This festival is not to be missed, but please inquire early as it is one of the most popular. The dates change annually.
FLOWERS AND GARDENS: It is not for nothing that Madeira is known as 'THE FLOATING GARDEN'. All the gardens ARE AT THEIR BEST DURING THE MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE continuing right through the Summer months. An added BONUS takes place in the form of the ATLANTIC FESTIVAL during the month of JUNE. EVERY SATURDAY evening there is a spectacular Fireworks Display. Although it is hosted by Madeira, three other countries will also be competing for the winning title. During the course of Atlantic Week local 'wandering minstrels' will be entertaining guests with their music and songs. This is a wonderful time just to sit at one of the street-side cafes, sip a glass of wine, listen to the 'troubadors' and watch the World go by.
WINE FESTIVAL.: The ANNUAL WINE HARVEST is celebrated in the Centre of FUNCHAL during the month of SEPTEMBER. Small stalls along the main avenues offer MADEIRA wine tasting and local traditional food. Performances of FOLKLORE singing and dancing take place on stages erected for the occasion. Altogether a delightful time to mingle with the local Madeiran people and enjoy the festivities.
The next festival here in Funchal is the CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS which are turned on during the first week of DECEMBER and continue into the New Year. Every street, lane and building - as far as the eye can see - is decorated. Ofcourse this culminates in a magnificent fireworks display to WELCOME IN THE NEW YEAR. The view from the apartment is absolutely spectacular and you feel as if you can reach out and touch the fireworks. Do not miss out on Funchal at this time of the year as it will be forever remembered.
This is a spacious modern two bedroom apartment which was delightful to call home for my wife, my friend and myself for 8days. The views over the harbour far below were stupendous. Sandy was the friendliest, most knowledgeable host imaginable. She informed us about activities both in and out of Funchal that we otherwise would not have known about. 5 stars go to the host and the accommodation!
Our host was the key to the success of our holiday in Madeira. She was knowledgeable and helpful. The condos location was excellent for all we wanted to do. The roosters awoke us every morning and the dogs said goodnight. We would come back in a heartbeat and would recommend it to others.
Sandy is a perfect host. Very friendly and helpful. Perfect communication. We chose the apartment because it is peacefully located and has great views. The location, a few km from Funchal center, presupposes the use of bus or car. The apartment is cozy and a little old. Especially the kitchen could need a little update, but of course only if you want to cook yourself. Overall, a really good experience.
Sandy's lovely apartment is perfectly located to access everything Funchal has to offer, while being far enough away to enjoy the countryside. It is spacious, well appointed and fully equipped. And Sandy is a wonderful host offering advice and helpful hints. Taking us to the grocery store upon arrival was especially helpful. I would recommend this property to anyone.
This property was superb. It was old fashioned but we loved it as it had that holiday feel. Sandy was an excellent host and provider of tips for buses and places to go. She also took us to the supermarket when we arrived and we were able to stock up on the basics especially 2 huge bottles of water. We can't thank her enough and would highly recommend this property and her.
We had such a good time in Madeira and Sandy and the apartment played no small part in that. The apartment is so well situated and the view from the balcony is stunning. Sandy was so welcoming and helpful. She was always on hand to help with anything - from shopping on the first day, organising bus passes, booking tours and supplying a cork screw when needed!!!! Thank you for a fabulous 5 days - I can't wait to come back!
We had been to Funchal twice, once on a Package holiday. then on a Amazonia cruise. We wanted a holiday that was different, and more satisfying. I had recently recovered from major operation and we both needed somewhere to recuperate. We went to HomeAway, and decided on Sandy Becker's mountainside apartment, because it appeared to tick all of our needs. We soon paid the deposit and confirmed our booking. We confirmed travel by Jet2. Sandy Becker was in email contact from the beginning. She rated our 5* grading from the onset, by nicely explaining on line, the apartment position, arranging a taxi to meet us at the airport, greeting us when we arrived, and then carefully showing us around the property and workings. Later, in her car, Sandy took us to get our GIRO town bus, discounted, tickets, and to a supermarket to buy the immediate things for our settling in. Next day Sandy took us by town bus, us into Funchal to show us the essential landmarks such a bus stops to get to and fro the apartment. We also shopped at the best supermarket, with Sandy showing where familiar items were and at the same time, restaurants where best to dine well, at very sensible cost. We later found this to be good advice, which not only saved us money, but also gave us some excellent meal out occasions. Sandy then walked us through to Old Funchal, sightseeing, towards the Cable Car and the Fort, after confirming we could find our way back to the apartment left us to explore. Our holiday in Funchal was 34 nights. Sunday is a quiet day in the city! However every Sunday invited us to join her in her car to visit places well off the beaten track. We went to the Sunday Market at a village on top of the mountain, visited a historic park, had a thrilling drive back! On the following Sundays we went to two superb Golf Courses, spent a day in Blandys Garden Park, were lucky to actually walked under a rainbow, then found it became a double rainbow. managed to photograph the event! The 29 bus from the stop near the apartment took up to the peaceful, forest Levada walks where we loved to walk most days, and we learned from Sandy other bus options to different Levadas. I came home s much fitter, my wife completely content, after my survival from Boerhaave;s Syndrome Op at Easter. It was all down to the finding this place where we relaxed, ate, walked miles, slept long and lived well. A good choice in finding Sandy Becker's apartment, and meeting Sandy. Thank you!
Sandy was very helpful with suggestions for our stay. Always available for any questions we had. Hot water tank problem was resolved the same day even though it was a national holiday. Easy ten minute acces to Funchal by bus. The only suggestion I would make is that for transatlantic guests a few basic provisions could be available so that a main shopping could be done the next day.
Very nice apartment overlooking the harbor and city of Funchal. Great views from the balconies. The apartment comes with all you need. Sandy the owner is a wealth of information for traveling through Madeira and assisted with maps and timetables. We rented a car, but city and regional buses can get you almost everywhere. Driving on the narrow and steep streets can be high adventure, but the highways and secondary main roads are no problem. We used the city bus almost every day to the Funchal Old Town and shopping areas. Our one week stay flew by.
We are truly happy that we stayed at Sandy's place in Funchal. It is an independent apartment with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and two balconies. It is close to the Botanic Gardens and 15 minutes bus ride from downtown. We wanted to be away from the late night noise of the downtown and we were able to enjoy the fabulous views of the harbour from a vantage point of our balconies. We used a combination of city buses, taxis, minibus tours and hiking to cover lavadas, mountains and coastal towns. We went to Potrto Moniz and North West of Madeirato on a minibus tour recommended by Sandy and it turned out to be well organized and great value for money. Sandy had arranged a taxi for our pick up from the airport. She was there to welcome us. She took us to the grocery store in her car which helped us to stock up for the two weeks we stayed in Funchal. Throughout our stay she was available to provide information and guidance. My wife and myself found Pingo Doce, the local supermarket chain a good place to buy necessities and the farmers market on Fridays at the main market in Funchal a great for local fruits and vegetables. I am a writer and I was able to work on Cultivating Happiness, my current book, during our stay there. We are happy to have discovered Madeira as well as Sandy's place. We will be back again. Franky Dias Author of Buddha in Rush Hour and The Taste of Water