Madeira is the largest island of the Madeira Archipelago set in the Atlantic Ocean some 560 km (350 ml) from the coast of Morocco. It offers not only an all year round summer climate, as well as wonderful fauna and flora, but it is also virtually crime-free and one of the safest destinations in the world! Get away from the cold grey skies! Leave winter behind and enjoy a fabulous short break in the stunning all year round summer destination of Madeira.
The volcanic origins of Madeira can still be seen, as the amphitheatre that surrounds the islands capital Funchal was once a caldera (a large cauldron-like hollow that forms shortly after the emptying of a magma chamber in a volcanic eruption).
Fortunately, volcanic activity stopped about 6,500 years ago but it was precisely this activity that endowed the island with a fertile landscape, which favoured the ancient subtropical rainforest that covered most of the territory. Indeed this is the reason for the name of the island, 'Madeira' meaning 'wood' in Portuguese.

Starting from the Hotel Dorisol Florasol in Funchal, on your hired machine (motorcycle or car more details later), you head to the nearest fuel station to fill up for the day. From here you join the VR1 or Via Rápida 1, Madeira's first motorway. This motorway must have some of the finest coastal views of any motorway as it travels east towards the airport. The views are beautiful from the VR1s elevated position as the sun glistens on the ocean to your right. You will see the 3 Desertas Islands, Desertas (deserted in English) is the name of all three small islands: Chão Islet, Deserta Grande and Bugio. Administratively, they belong to the municipality of Santa Cruz. The route travels to the islands airport at Santa Cruz.
Once considered one of the most challenging airports in the world, where only the most experienced pilots could land, due to the size of the ‘mini’ runway, nowadays it offers passengers a relaxed experience while the pilot makes the final landing manoeuvres, since on the 15th of September 2000 Madeira Island inaugurated one of the biggest constructions ever executed in the region, amounting to a total investment of about 520 million Euros. The extension of the runway by one kilometre was one of the most ambitious constructions on the island, especially if one considers that the 180 pillars supporting the runway measure in total 120 metres in length (60 m above and 60 m below the sea). The old runway was turned three degrees to the north to assume its final position. The VR1 and this route pass by the end of the runway, directly under the flight path of incoming aircraft and then goes under the runway giving you a great view of the 180 pillars that are supporting it.

The route leaves the VR1 now and heads to the hills, I have included a coffee stop just before the road becomes more challenging.
The route through the hills is challenging, but it is also thrilling and rewarding with great views and this first section of twisty, hilly road is only short and before long you will be on the coast again. First comes Porto da Cruz and then Ponte do Faial where you can have lunch.
Porto da Cruz gets it's name from a cross (cruz) that was placed by the explorers on the bay that was once used as port (porto). Once you arrive you'll probably think there's nothing much to do around here. Life seems to have stopped or only to be moving very slowly in this place. But, the attractions of this small parish are hidden and you'll have to take a closer look to find them. One of them is the old sugar cane factory, which is still operating the same way, as it was when it started with the sugar production in 1927. It boasts a 26 meter tall tower and when it's working you might even see steam coming out!
Also not to be missed is the place known as Penha d'Águia, an imposing rock that separates Porto da Cruz from Faial. The road is very steep, but the views from Penha d'Águia are absolutely amazing!
Ponte do Faial has a great coastal viewpoint and the village of Faial has a good selection of restaurants and cafes for a lunch stop.
After lunch and it's back on the steep and twisty roads as you head into the hills again. The lush green vegetation covering this incredible island sometimes takes on an asian/tropical feel as you climb higher and higher into the mountains. There are numerous viewpoints along the way, I have marked a few with route points and POIs. There is also another coffee stop before reaching the highest point of the route at RP 24, a height of 1385 m.
The route is effectively downhill from here as you travel south on the ever twisting road! Funchal comes into view and there is a final coffee stop overlooking the city before fueling up for tomorrow and returning to the hotel.

Further information:
The Hotel:
The Dorisol Florasol Hotel has parking and all the other facilities you would expect from an hotel and in addition an outdoor freshwater swimming pool. The rooms are around 50 euros per night in February with discounts for longer stays.
There are many hotels and other options for accommodation available.

Motorcycle/car hire:
The company I have chosen have been supplying cars and motorcycles for rental since 1993 so are well established. Without any extra costs they will pick you up from your hotel and take you back there at the end of your rental (this applies to Funchal, Garajau, Caniço, Santa Cruz and Machico; other locations on request).
The daily rental price for a BMW 650 GS is 74,43 €.
I have include a link below for an alternative motorcycle rental company that offers smaller machines and guided tours. There are other rental companies and even a company offering trike tours of the island.

Funchal:
Located in the stunning south of Madeira, on its sunniest coast amidst banana plantations and wonderful gardens where flowers bloom all year round in the shelter of the verdant mountains, it is an extremely lush, green and relaxed city by day, but scratch Funchal’s surface and you will find it to have a vibrant and varied nightlife too.
Funchal offers great restaurants, shopping and activities such as: day trips to the Desertas islands, scuba diving, and it even has a cable-car that will take you 560 m up to the mountain for some glorious views. And don't forget the famous Monte Toboggans. Take an exciting ride down to Funchal city centre on one of the Monte's toboggans!
The Monte Toboggans first originated in the early 19th century as Funchal's first means of downhill public transportation. Presently and for a number of years now, the Carro de Cesto is used to transport tourists. Made primarily out of wicker and two wooden runners, these toboggans are driven by two men (Carreiros) dressed in white, with straw hats and black rubber boots that are used as brakes. All this is possible by using ropes and greased up rags to grease the wooden runners.
The ride starts off below the steps of the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church. This is quite a fast 2km long ride down steep and winding roads that will lead you to your finishing point, Livramento, a suburb of Funchal. Visitors consider this ride a thrill and a “must-do” during your visit to Madeira Island.