Sao Vicente Holidays 2013

Many visit the village in search of its breath-taking volcanic caves, which are over 400 thousand years old and form a network of tunnels and caverns. You can enjoy a day of shopping at the nearby shopping centre, or a cultural day of visiting the local museums, the Dr Horacio Bento de Gouveia House Museum and the Lime Furnace Museum.

The village offers a very relaxed and peaceful night life, which is ideal for families. You will find a number of charming cafes where you can enjoy some drinks and snacks in the evening, or you can head to one of the local restaurants and sample some of the very best in Madeira island cuisine.

Set in a beautiful country house, the Estalagem do Vale is a welcoming, family friendly hotel. Sitting amongst the vast landscape of Laurissilva Forest it offers a peaceful and laid back atmosphere, with some breathtaking views across the valley, and a stunning mountain backdrop. The hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool with a terrace, as well as a Turkish bath and a Jacuzzi.

The surrounding countryside offers the perfect landscape for some romantic strolls, as well as some more energetic hiking trips. Along the coast you can enjoy some more laid back activities, such as fishing, or you can take advantage of the rough seas and try some surfing. Otherwise, the pebbled beach is always there for some long days of relaxation in the sun.

The laid back nightlife of the village lends itself well to some romantic evenings, whether you spend them relaxed in a café or enjoying a romantic dinner under the stars. The local restaurants offer the chance to sample some authentic Madeiran and Portuguese cuisine. If you wish to spend the night somewhere more dynamic, head to Funchal, where clubs, bars and restaurants await.

Boasting stunning views across the Atlantic Ocean, the Monte Mar Palace is the ideal place for a couple to enjoy a romantic stay. Enjoying a privileged position next to the Laurissilva Forest and with a dramatic mountain backdrop, the hotel offers a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. You can take the chance to relax in the Turkish bath, the sauna and the Jacuzzi, or indulge and threat yourself and your partner to a massage treatment.

With a year round sunny climate, there is plenty of time to relax under the sun and top up the tan, whenever you choose to visit the village. The crystal waters are great for swimming, but be aware that they can get quite rough along this area of the coast.

Nearby spots include the stunning Porto Moniz, found at the most north western point of the island and boasting a beautiful coast of natural bathing pools and a promenade with a swimming pool. Ponta Delgada offers a busier vibe, with a recently constructed bathing facility featuring two seawater swimming pools looking out over the ocean.

Sitting directly on the coast, the Estalagem do Mar boasts views across the Atlantic Ocean, with a spectacular natural backdrop. It offers its guests a peaceful and relaxed stay somewhere simply stunning. Set amongst a pretty landscape of gardens and palm trees, the hotel offers both an outdoor and indoor pool, with a sauna and a Jacuzzi for some relaxation.