Madeira is sometimes an overlooked holiday destination as tourists plan their holidays around mainland Europe. As an island in between Portugal and Morocco, it is easy to see how this pretty country would get overlooked but you’re missing out.

The island’s geographical positioning just 350 miles west of Casablanca, Morocco, means that it is exposed to the North West swells that power across the Atlantic all year round.  Adrenaline-loving surfers will not be disappointed with Madeira’s top waves at Jardim do Mar, Ponta Pequena and Ponta do Sol.

In addition, Madeira is situated mid-ocean and just five kilometres off shore, the ocean floor reaches a depth of more than 3,000 metres.  As a result, Madeira is heralded as one of the best locations in the world to fish for blue marlin weighing more than 500 kilos and hosts the Blue Marlin World Cup annually in July.

Madeira’s residents have a passion for food and drink which shows in a number of food and wine festivals hosted on the island throughout the year. September sees the Madeira wine festival, cider sampling and Apple festival.

Located in the hills above Funchal, Madeira’s capital, Casa Velha do Palheiro is a graceful 5* country house hotel with 37 luxurious rooms, part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection. There is direct access to Palheiro Golf Course, one of only two golf courses on the island, with privileged tee offs from the halfway house. The hotel’s Palheiro Spa has four treatments rooms, an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and a fitness room.

The Palheiro Gardens comprise a rich collection of plants gathered together over a period of 180 years from many different parts of the world. These private gardens are open to the public weekdays and attract over 40,000 visitors per year. Madeira has long been called the “Garden Isle” and it seems that almost anything will grow in its fertile soil. In Funchal many tropical plants have found a home and the visitor can see Hibiscus and Bougainvillea in flower almost all the year round, along with Jacaranda, Spathodeas, Erythrinas and Bauhinias in their season.

The hotel’s private motor yacht 'Balancal' awaits your arrival at Funchal marina and is available for coastal cruises, swimming, dolphin and whale watching, as well as deep sea big game fishing and special charters.

For more information on Casa Velha do Pelheiro and rates, please visit http://www.palheiroestate.com/.