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| Country Guide > Europe > Portugal > Madeira |
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Social Profile Food & Drink Regional dishes include sopa de tomate e cebola (tomato and onion soup), caldeirada (fish soup), bife de atum e milho frito (tuna steak and fried maize), carne em vinha d’alho (pickled pork and garlic), espada (fresh black sword fish), espetada (beef grilled on laurel wood skewers over an open fire) and bolo de mel (Madeira honey cake). Popular wines of Madeira are malmsey (Malvasia), a sweet dessert wine, bual and the dry serceal. Wines, spirits and beers imported from mainland Portugal and Europe are also available. Galo, a glass of milky coffee and bica, a small cup of black coffee, are also popular. Nightlife Some hotels have excellent nightclubs with music for dancing and international cabaret entertainment. Folk entertainment is also included in the weekly programme of these hotels and, in most cases, non-residents are welcome. Shopping In Funchal, there is a wide variety of shops selling everyday goods, as well as many souvenirs. Special purchases include Madeira folk art such as embroidery, tapestry and wickerwork. Madeira wine is a popular gift. Special Events Throughout the year, numerous events take place on Madeira and it is a good idea to visit at the time of a specific festival. Around Christmas and New Year, for example, there are some really spectacular celebrations. Cruise ships often stop the night of 31 December in Funchal Harbour so that passengers can appreciate the firework displays, accompanied by church bells and ships’ sirens, which herald the New Year. For a complete list of events on Madeira, contact ICEP (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Madeira: Feb Carnival, Funchal. May Flower Festival, Funchal. May World Championship Triathlon, Funchal. Jun Cherry Festival, Jardimda Serra. Aug Our Lady of Grace; Our Lady of Pity. Sep Santssimo Sacramento; Madeira Wine Festival. Dec Reveillon (New Years Festival), Funchal; Switching on the Christmas Illuminations; St Silvester Fireworks. |