Gastronomy at the Vista Balancal Restaurant combines local culinary tastes with a southern European flavour. Influenced by the Atlantic and inspired by the Mediterranean – with a dash of the oriental adding a little spice – the cuisine serves to illustrate the imagination and creativity associated with the award-winning kitchen.
The dining room at Madeira Island Hotel Casa Velha do Palheiro overlooks the landscaped grounds and manicured lawn at the rear of the five-star property. Decorated in restful shades of peach and designed to embody the style and comfort of country living, the Casa Velha dining room reflects the classical elegance associated with the hotel.
The Casa de Chá, or Tea House, enjoys a privileged position in Palheiro Gardens, right next to Palheiro Golf and Casa Velha do Palheiro country house hotel. From tables set within the building and those on the terrace, guests are afforded pleasant views of the hotel gardens and the golf course.
Within the 150 hectare Palheiro Estate we have created nature trails for your pleasure. These can be enjoyed on bikes, for running, hiking or just a simple stroll in nature. We please ask you to respect others’ enjoyment of the Estate and to be quiet near the golfers.
The marlin season in Madeira runs from May through to October, with a fish average of about 700 lbs. About one in every ten is that fish of a lifetime, a grander blue marlin. These huge creatures swim in its predominantly calm blue waters.
The Walk:
Turn right out of the entrance to the Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro gardens. Follow the Caminho do Palheiro Ferreiro road uphill for 250m and into the village of Palheiro Ferreiro. Turn left in the village and walk 100m up to a garage on the left, where you will see a sign pointing left up a track to the Levada dos Tornos and the Jasmin Tea House. Follow the track for 100m to reach the Levada and turn left (signposted Monte).
From here are lovely views of the Quinta do Palheiro estate and golf course. After 100m cross a tarmac road and continue into woodland, with a view of Funchal harbour to your left. The levada path follows the contour into the valley, through woodland, past newly built flats and commercial vegetable gardens. After 20 minutes you will see a prominent sign pointing to the left that reads "Jasmin Tea House". Ten minutes more brings you to the other lunch option, the Hortensia Gardens Tea House, along the levada path, across a main road after 5 minutes and round a corner with views of Funchal across a slope where an orange grove has replaced the eucalyptus forest.
From here, follow the levada path through woods, a mass of mimosa from December to April, and bursting with blue agapanthus in summer. After approximately 15 minutes you will come to another road, cross it, and continue on the levada path until you come to a large collection tank from which spring water is fed into the levada.
Immediately beyond this, divert right, following a path that climbs to a woodshed and then descends again, skirting the fenced-off Quinta do Pomar, an aristocratic residence with beautiful formal gardens. Just beyond the Quinta chapel, the levada path comes to an iron door, beyond which lies the Caminho do Meio road.
Turn right on the road and walk uphill for about 30m, then turn left along an old cobbled track called the Travessa do Largo da Choupana. Follow this track for five minutes, skirting Quinta da Choupana, the estate that used to be Choupana Hills Resort. After another five minutes the cobbled track brings you back to the levada path.
Follow the path through lovely, often damp woodland, with an abundance of Madeiran species of trees and a variety of mosses and lichens. You need to cross three shallow streams in the next 30 minutes' walking (1.2 km). The levada then disappears into a concrete conduit, and you have to walk on top for 30m before descending a short flight of steps to a cobbled path.
You are now in the village of Romeiros, where several paths meet, so take care not to get lost. Follow the cobbled path (signposted Levada do Bom Sucesso/Monte), ignoring the path right (signposted Levada dos Tornos). After 100m, the path divides: go right onto an old cobbled path (signposted Monte). Almost immediately this path descends into the Ribeira de João Gomes, a splendidly scenic valley with the Teleféricos da Madeira (Madeira Cable Car) station just visible on the opposite side, high above the sheer cliffs of the canyon-like valley. After 15 minutes of knee-testing descent, you can rest at a bridge with breathtaking views of rocky cliffs, tumbling streams, waterworn rocks and shallow pools. That leaves another strenuous 10 minute climb before the zigzagging path reaches Monte.
Option 1 – Walk from Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro to the Jasmin Tea House (30 minutes/1.5 km) or continue to the Hortensia Gardens Tea House (40 minutes/1.8 km). To return to Funchal, catch bus 47 (which passes both tea houses).
Alternative suggestion: Option 1 - Walk from Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro to the Jasmin Tea House (30 minutes/1.5 km) or continue to the Hortensia Gardens Tea House (40 minutes/1.8 km). From here, to go downtown into Funchal, catch bus 47 (which passes both tea houses).
Option 2 – Take bus 47 to the Jasmin Tea House or Hortensia Gardens Tea House and start the walk from there, cutting out the relatively urban first 30-40 minutes of the Levada.
Option 3 – Take bus 29 from Funchal to Romeiros village about 1.6 km east of Monte, and just follow the last 30 minutes (1.5 km) of the walk, which is the most difficult (but also the most scenic) stretch.
General: (+351) 291 790 120
Casa Velha: (+351) 291 790 350
Village: (+351) 291 790 030
(chamada p/rede fixa nacional)
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