After staying overnight at the Crowne Plaza, Manchester Airport, we woke refreshed and ready to check in at Terminal One for our mid morning TAP flight to Funchal via Lisbon.  Sitting by the window in the Giraffe cafe we sipped large cappuccinos whilst we watched planes preparing to depart to foreign lands.  The rain was lashing down on this grey November morning and we felt very fortunate to be escaping this dreary weather for the next 9 days.

It was to be my third visit to the beautiful island of Madeira and the second to the Casino Park Hotel in Funchal where we stayed at the same time last year.  Although I love to visit new destinations,  it’s also rather nice to sometimes return to the familiar and know what to expect when we arrive.  Doubtless we will still find new things to do and places to see.

Our flight to Lisbon departed on time and we were served large chicken salad sandwiches, wine, smoothies and hot drinks.   Our connecting flight to Funchal wasn’t until late afternoon so we settled down in one of the cafes with coffees and our iPads until it was time to leave.

The flight left on schedule and we were served a small snack en route to Funchal Airport,  the flight time being only 90 minutes.  We then transferred to our hotel on the airport/hotel shuttle bus which costs €5 each and takes less than 30 minutes.   It was very convenient as it dropped us off just outside our hotel, the Casino Park, where we checked in  whilst enjoying complimentary glasses of Bucks Fizz.   We were then shown to our comfortable room which was to be our home for the next 8 nights.  After unpacking, we just had time for a bite to eat and to take a short walk in the warm night air before bedtime.

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Funchal’s market hall and a coastal walk

Curral das Freiras, Madeira