Madeira and Porto Santo
It was 2003 when I first had a chance to visit Madeira, doing research for a radio programme with regional BBC. So, when the chance came to write a narrative guidebook to the islands – including Porto Santo – I jumped at it.
When my contract with the Isle of Man Walking Festival came to an end, I was looking for somewhere else to stage a festival. Why not Madeira? And so, 2008 saw the first Madeira Islands Walking Festival, of which I am the Director. The Festival continues, but since then I have taken on the revision of the AA Spiral Guide to Madeira, the AA Essential Spiral Guide to Madeira, and the Globetrotter Guide to Madeira (New Holland).
The Azores
With the guide to Madeira completed, I was invited to write a new guide to the Azores, another part of the Portuguese empire, but one that is less well known, and deserving of greater attention. Many weeks spent flying around the nine islands were hugely enjoyable and informative. Nine islands; nine passions; nine ways of life.
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Looking across to Corvo from Flores, The Azores
The picture of a mountain summit peering through clouds in the header of this website is of the mountain PIco, on the island of Pico, in The Azores. It is the highest point of Portugal.
It is easy to forget that Madeira has a near neighbour, Porto Santo, a quite idyllic place, with a natural golden sand beach and an unhurried way of life.
Information about the Madeira Islands Walking Festival is viewable at www.madeiraislandswalkingfestival.com.
A-framed cottage, Santana, Madeira
On Pico Areeiro, looking towards Pico Ruivo, the highest mountain in Madeira
Taking a stroll along the beach, Porto Santo
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© 2006–2010 Terry Marsh. 
