PROPERTY | MADEIRA Atlantic Retreat by Frances Rogers
adeira is one of Portugal’s many assets. A beautiful island, 620 miles south west of the mainland, 35 miles by 14 miles and with a population of only 250,000. Most people live in the capital, Funchal, which lies on the south side of the island around a natural bay and overlooking the Desertas Islands. These are home to a very rare colony of seals and can be visited, but not inhabited.
M
The island has an even temperature and with a sea breeze, air conditioning is hardly needed. Much of Madeira is hilly and wooded with ancient Laurissilva forests; two thirds of the island are designated National Parks and therefore can never be built on and it has a dramatic coastline of 93 miles. Madeira is not a destination for beach lovers, but it is great for scuba diving, game fishing, dolphin and whale watching and walking in stunning locations. If you want beautiful beaches, then you need to go to neighbouring island, Porto Santo, but that is another story.
As you arrive on a steep descent by plane, passing terraced hillsides before landing
just a few feet beside the glistening blue sea, the beauty of the island is plain to see. The island is always green and rarely short of water, which is brought down from the hills to the southern coast by levadas, man- made aqueducts dating back to the 16th century. Over 600 miles of the maintenance paths beside these are walkable, taking picturesque routes through the hillside and these attract many tourists every year.
Not surprisingly, with the island’s challenging topography, there is little room for new development. Much of the prime land is owned by the Blandy family, who are very much part of Madeira. Since John Blandy first visited the island in the early 1800s, he and his descendants have established very successful businesses making and exporting wine and in shipping. On the 130 hectare Palheiro Estate, the current Blandy family are now building attractive holiday homes, all with stunning views of the Atlantic ocean.
The golf course on the estate was built in 1993 and in 1997, the original hunting
lodge built by the 1st Count of Carvalhal in 1804, was restored by the Blandys and turned into the five-star Casa Velha do Palheiro hotel, with 20 acres of beautiful tropical gardens, tea house, chapel, spa and tennis court. More recently, part of the estate is being transformed into a luxury holiday home development. Palheiro Village, which is on the lowest part of the estate overlooking the Bay of Funchal, has 79 one, two and three bedroom apartments and three and four bedroom villas.
Designed by international architect, Michael Brown, these are built to a very high standard with high ceilings, large terraces, air-conditioning and under floor heating. A clubhouse, pool and pool bar is situated within the village and there is a full management and rental service. There are also 30 villa plots, on the western side of the golf course.
Prices start at €295,000 for a one bedroom apartment, from €595,000 for a three bedroom villa and from around
45 | Summer 2011 |
www.portugal-life.net
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92