Edited with imarkup

The hustle and bustle we are faced with daily makes it a little more difficult to keep fit and observe the necessary routine that makes for a healthy living. Usually, it often looks like time evaporates when you are involved with activities that daily require you taking care of your loved ones and family travelling to work or even attending school or other professional courses. It always makes a huge difference when you are able to set out routines that are aimed at taking proper care of not just your body but also your mind in order to create a healthy pattern and lifestyle.

This informs the need and importance of observing adequate rest and sleep. This would normally work to put back into order the energy of the body, repair tissues and body muscles as well as cause the release of the kinds of hormones that are needed to stimulate proper appetite and growth in the human system.

Unfortunately, most times we have little or no time at all to get the proper and needed rest. Consequently, this year I plan to travel out of my country with my family in order to get enough relaxation and rest. This would be when I am granted my annual leave in my place of work. I am currently saving up funds towards this project and have chosen the perfect destination for it. Just read on so that you get intimate with my travel plans.

Madeira : My Perfect Travel Destination Plan

Src

The place I have always dreamt of going to and which I now see the hope of visiting drawing ever more closely is Madeira: a volcanic and rugged island situated in Portugal. I've watched a lot of documentaries, seen a lot of pictures and read so much about the city that I have fallen in love with it. I've waited so long to be able to have a glimpse of this perfect paradise that has a lot in store for tourists.

A few islands (which are natural reserves that are not habited), a golden sand beach and a main Island are the natural makeups of the Madeira archipelago. This region is autonomous and shares the same latitude with Casablanca. It is located above the Canary Islands and this is responsible for its warm weather. There are four microclimates in the island due to its topography.

To the south side of the city that is known for its sunny climate there are cities and banana plantations that go up the mountains and cliffs. The north side is known for its rugged nature with green cliffs that enjoy the tumbling of waterfalls over its lushness. The cliffs run into natural swimming pools and enjoy the presence of ferns. Inside the island, there are mountain peaks that are embraced by the clouds as well as irrigation channels accompanied by walking routes.

There are some 'must-visits' in my journal when I get to Madeira. Some of these include the Pico do Arieiro -through which you will literally journey above the clouds, the Fanal forest which is famous for very often being fog-coated and, of course, a trip to view the magnificent site of whales and dolphins. However, there are still a few other interesting sightseeing attractions I would hopefully explore.

Cabo Girao

Src

The best place from where to admire and appreciate this sea-cliff which is actually one of the highest in the world is from Camara De Lobos which is a coastal community. A bird's eye view of this scenario is quite amazing. You will discover a glass-bottomed area that can be very suitable for walk out and which overlooks a sprawling village below it.

Curral de Ferias (also called Valley of the Nuns)

Src

Funchal is the capital city of Madeira. Stories have ate that in 1566 when pirates had entered this Island city in the Atlantic, they were nuns at the Santa Clara convent who hurriedly packed up and grabbed every treasure that could be found in the convent and came up with an escape plan. They attempted escaping on foot while seeking to hide in the interior mountains of the island.

They were quite familiar with this terrain and the pirates tried effortlessly to gain entrance into this place. The place in question consists of a depression with a cauldron shape that is quite hidden away from everyone's view. The nuns clumbered through the mountains and overcame the rough terrain in order to seek hideouts in the peaks of this interior.

It is because of this that it is now known as The Valley of the Nuns. From Eira do Serrado you can travel through steep steps that constitute the "trail of the nuns" as you make your way down into the valley. Down there, there are specialties like chestnut liquor, chestnut soup, lush green walks and mountain swimming holes.

Camara do Lobos

Src

This village used to be well known for fishing prowess but has now become a sprawling municipality. It climbs up the mountains which is coated with banana plantations and which has an authentic atmosphere. In this place it is popular for the fisherman to sit around tables playing cards while staying close to their colorfully beautified wooden boats. This community is very lively and enjoys the presence of numerous restaurants and cafes. Sir Winston Churchill had visited here in 1950.

The streets are quaint and are decorated with the most inventive forms of street art which come from cans of drinks that have been repurposed. This interesting art gives a new lease of life to the recycling process as well as the walls. You will shortly be ushered in to the "Original Poncha Bar" which serves a signature drink of the islands. It is not uncommon that rum is very well produced locally because the island is known for growing sugarcane. The most original and traditional form of the various signature cocktails that can be obtained in this locality simply come as a combination of honey, rum and lemon.

Santana

Src

Moving up the island to the north side you will come across this popular tourist site called Santana. This site became popular as a result of the houses that come with unique traditional styles. There are thatched houses that can be described as being traditionally pretty which are referred to as Casas de Santana. Usually, a certain traditional style that has been used for years and decades is adopted in building these thatched houses. Cheap straw roofs are used for the finishing and a good number of these traditional style old model tourist attraction can still be found around the town.

There are a few of these houses that are still in actual use while most exist mainly as tourist attractions the ones that are in actual use have diminished in number and have become less common. They could also be made with concrete and stone if they are in actual use than the more traditional method of doing this. Interestingly, from the top of a cable car you could have a fantastic opportunity to grab the sunrise at this same location.

Levada do Caldeirão Verde

Src

There are several waterwalks known as Levada walks spread across this island. There is a very old water irrigation system that was created to run along several narrow paths. These Levada walks leave trails that follow these old water irrigation paths. The Levada do Caldeirão Verde is one of these walks.

The trail of this particular waterwalk begins from the Queimadas Forestry Park. In this location there are several thatched buildings that are done in the traditional style where hikers can always obtain some warm cups of coffee. The trail begins from here and journeys through many waterfalls. It also goes across greeneries and finally culminates in a towering fall over a shaded portion of the entire scenario making it very good for picnics.

CONCLUSION

There are several other areas of interest where I would like to visit while around the Madeira in Portugal. Currently, I am putting the budget together and would most likely move for the holiday with my family. We are planning it to be a big family holiday in commemoration of the 25th wedding anniversary of our parents.

It would take some processes and caused some money. First, we have to complete an online visa application form. After this we would have to book an appointment at the Portuguese Embassy in with some required documents. Next, we would have to pay the Portugal tourist visa application fee. After the interview is successfully completed we will then set a date to depart for the trip. We would be moving from Nigeria, West Africa.

We are budgeting $10,000 for the trip.

I would like to invite @davchi, @gabikay, @johnvin and @josepha to participate in the contest.