Madeira Christmas Travel Preferences
How we like to travel
Holiday Preferences - Madeira Christmas 2026
Captured: 3 March 2026
Travellers
- Richard & Julie Cowin
- Travelling from Isle of Man
Travel Style
| Aspect | Preference |
|---|---|
| Duration | Up to 2 weeks (~14 nights, including any UK stopovers) |
| Getting there | Flight IoM → UK hub, then flight UK → Funchal |
| UK stopover | Always overnight near the connecting airport (both directions) |
| Accommodation | Self-catering only (no hotels, no resorts) |
| Pace | Relaxed, with a mix of active days and downtime |
| Driving style | Mix of scenic routes; max ~3 hours driving in any one day |
Interests
Keen on
- Scenery & nature
- Hiking / walking (levadas)
- Historic towns
- Food & drink
- Coastal drives
- Cultural sights
- Scenic walks
- Spiritual experiences
- Small tour groups (not big coach tours)
- Subtropical gardens
- Christmas markets and festive events
- New Year’s Eve fireworks
Not interested in
- Cycling
Accommodation Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Self-catering |
| Location | Funchal preferred, open to other areas |
| Bedroom | One bedroom with a double bed |
| Kitchen | Full kitchen, big enough to prepare proper meals |
| Bathroom | Nice facilities |
| WiFi | Reliable, fast (essential for remote work) |
| Workspace | Desk or table suitable for working |
| Outdoor | Balcony |
| Laundry | Washing machine (can dry on balcony) |
| Setting | Near the sea |
Remote Working
- Richard may work remotely for part of the trip (details TBC)
- Accommodation must have reliable WiFi and a suitable workspace
Fixed Constraints
- Departure: No earlier than Tuesday 22 December 2026
- Return: No later than Tuesday 5 January 2027 (schools reopen Wednesday 6 January)
- School holidays: IoM schools close Tuesday 22 December 2026, reopen Wednesday 6 January 2027
- UK stopover: Stay overnight near the connecting airport both ways if the time difference between flights is less than four hours.
Accounts & Memberships
- Booking.com: Genius Level 3 (discounts on accommodation, car hire, and more)
Budget
- TBD - to be explored based on options
Notes
- Flights from IoM will connect via a UK hub (Manchester most likely)
- Madeira uses the Euro (€)
- Madeira is on the same timezone as the UK (WET/WEST)
- Christmas/New Year is peak season in Madeira; expect higher demand and prices
- Funchal New Year’s Eve fireworks are world-famous; accommodation with a view of the harbour is a bonus