Huge liners stand in splendour out in the bay while their passengers disembark to enjoy a few hours in this haven of flowers.

The sun shines all year round and in this semi tropical island of deep blue seas and mountains the flowers grow in profusion.

It is not for the faint hearted as walking is like hill climbing unless you stay in the centre of the small town or on the promenades, but taxis are in evidence everywhere.

The festival of flowers is the event of the year and a spectacle to behold it is a riot of colour and a profusion of every flower you can think of even the exotic blooms that only grow in the hot countries.

Children and adults alike are dressed in flowery costumes with gorgeous head dresses of fresh flowers and the flower queen is a beauty standing regally in the shade of an embroidered canopy of colourful flowers.

Funchal is the centre of everything with a cathedral and cobbled streets and the main square where locals congregate in the evenings or on Sundays.

It boasts the  palace of Sao Lourenco and even a Casino where smartly dressed men and woman spend their evenings.

On the mountain side you can risk the toboggon ride down a steep cobbled path but be prepared for bumps its a hairy ride.

We hired a taxi for half a day and went to the top of the highest mountain stopping off on the way for lunch, parts were quite scary but the taxi drivers are well used to these trips,  at the top we stopped and got out but it was impossible to see much as the clouds were below the peak, it was also bitterly cold so we didn't linger too long.

It was like walking on top of the world and an eerie experience.

Although small it holds a wealth of experiences from an old country estate nestled high in the hills above Funchal once owned by the Count of Carvalhal  with gardens out of this world. even the Ribeiro Frio trout farm and a Japanese garden where koi carp swim beneath waterfalls.

It is a holiday experience to remember where crime is virtually nil and you can safely leave your possessions in your hotel room without any fear of them disappearing.

This is just a small portion of the delights of Madeira and a definite must to add to your list of holiday places to visit

We are lucky enough to own a timeshare on this island paradise we bought it on our first trip their over fifteen years ago.

Sylvia White is an author and Webmaster of http://www.sylviawh.co.uk  and http://www.sylviawh.co.uk/blog