If you've got a chance to go - then go!
Summer's almost over and autumn is pulling at the leaves on the trees. Each year I take on a bet with the world in general: Will the pear tree in my back garden shed at least half of its leaves before the shops bring out all their Christmas gear?
Each year I hope for nature to triumph over commercialism - and each year the squirrels are still scurrying amid a mass of foliage whilst I'm faced with negotiating shelves full of yuletide garbage that I don't even want to see the week before Christmas let alone during the early weeks of September.
Which brings me to my main point.
If you have the opportunity to get away to Madeira in December, then go for it.
Each year I hope for nature to triumph over commercialism - and each year the squirrels are still scurrying amid a mass of foliage whilst I'm faced with negotiating shelves full of yuletide garbage that I don't even want to see the week before Christmas let alone during the early weeks of September.
Which brings me to my main point.
If you have the opportunity to get away to Madeira in December, then go for it.
 |
| Funchal Christmas lights - not to be missed ! |
Madeira Island, and Funchal in particular, has a different attitude when it comes to the year-end festivities. They simply do not allow commercialism to get in the way of having a good time. Of course, everyone has to make a living, but from early December through to New Years Eve, the capital puts on a joyous display - just for the fun of it.
The streets are ornately decorated with festive lights, nativity displays and an assortment of Christmas trees. The main thoroughfare in Funchal, the Avenida Arriaga, has a Christmas market that is more about spreading goodwill rather than milking the customer of every last euro. Many shop windows and restaurants also have impressive displays.
During the day and evening, there is an assortment of street entertainment which, although free to watch, is certainly not amateurish. Of course, there are special shows at the Casino and main theatre which are special festive productions, at a special price. So, if getting dressed up and being seen at top social events is your thing, then you will be catered for as well.
Just one last thing. If you can manage to stay until the New Year, you will not be disappointed. The New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza in Funchal is widely acknowledged to be the best in the world. And, believe me when I say: It is!
The streets are ornately decorated with festive lights, nativity displays and an assortment of Christmas trees. The main thoroughfare in Funchal, the Avenida Arriaga, has a Christmas market that is more about spreading goodwill rather than milking the customer of every last euro. Many shop windows and restaurants also have impressive displays.
During the day and evening, there is an assortment of street entertainment which, although free to watch, is certainly not amateurish. Of course, there are special shows at the Casino and main theatre which are special festive productions, at a special price. So, if getting dressed up and being seen at top social events is your thing, then you will be catered for as well.
Just one last thing. If you can manage to stay until the New Year, you will not be disappointed. The New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza in Funchal is widely acknowledged to be the best in the world. And, believe me when I say: It is!
No comments:
Post a Comment