Our First Stop in my Mediterranean Passage Cruise: Madeira

Madeira, Funchal

Madeira and its little companion island, Porto Santo, were mentioned by the Roman author Plini. He knew about the Fortunate Isles, which are what the Romans called the Canaries and the described, his mysterious “Purple Islands” as being about the right position for Madeira.

Because of the great profusion of trees, the name Madeira (meaning wooded) seemed appropriate. Madeira’s volcanic origins gave it not only great fertility, but also dramatic escarpments and rocky outcroppings. But the density of the forests was seen as an obstacle to farming and settlement, so early colonists began burning clearings along the shoreline. Madeira grew into a semi-tropical paradise known as the “floating garden”.

The early colonists developed a complex irrigation system of water channels called “levadas”, which are still in use. The island’s vintners produce four types of wine, all prized for their age-worthiness and complexity.

Cabo Girao – The world’s second-highest sea cliff plunges over 1500 feet from the top to the waves below.

Funchal is noted for its superb hand-embroidery and wicker ware, both Madeira specialties. The island, of course, is also noted for its superb wines, they are perhaps the world’s most complex and long lasting wines. 

You can visit Funchal by land trip or by cruise. Either way you'll enjoy their cuisine, their culture, their weather, their wines and so much more.

For more information about how to customize your next vacation, ideas or bookings please contact me. I'm here to help you.

Leila Reyes

Family Travel Specialist

lrtravel@live.com

817-554-3346

4 Tips to Avoid Being “Surprised” with your Phone Bill



International travel can be for most of us a dream come true, but what a nightmare at the time our phone bill arrives. There are many international plan options, but personally I consider staying away of “data usage” will help you ease with the cost. In case you can’t separate leisure and work, the following tips will be handy at the time to make a decision:

1.  Call your phone carrier before you travel – All major carriers offer international plan, make sure you understand completely the cost to call back to U.S. while you’re overseas. The difference, if any, between the costs of calling another mobile phone versus calling a landline. The fees for sending and receiving text messages, including media and video messages, the fees for data access. Make sure they explain you in detail especially if you know the places you’re visiting. Depending of the country will be the charge. If you’re going to be on a Cruise Ship, they will charge you a different amount while on land than while on sea.

2.  Use Wi-Fi for calling, messaging, conferencing and accessing the Web – You must turn Off international roaming; and turn On your Wi-Fi connection (check your phone manual for a step by step, sometimes are different screens that need to be selected before finding this application.

3.  In case you’re a business person Take Calls Only from Clients – this is one Rule of Thumbs Up. I know your immediate family will understand if you contact them through emails or Skype. But your clients won’t understand this, I can assure you this is a rule I follow. On my last cruise, my Princess Commodore Cruise, I spent 16 days away from my children, but at the same time I was working with 2 Group Cruises. Selecting wisely which calls I had to answer, my phone usage turned into profits instead of loses.

4.  Consider using smartphone calling apps – This can be a saving since it uses low-cost Wi-Fi connections, Skype mobile for example charges an average of $.30 per minute for a call in Italy; a difference from Att rate which was $.99 per minute.

Master this steps and you may stand a good chance of coming back from your overseas trip with some new business and without a whopping cellphone bill. I hope this tips help you spend your money wisely. If you are planning to travel overseas or locally, please let me help you customize your next trip.

Leila Reyes

Family Travel Specialist

lrtravel@live.com          

817-554-3346