Atlantic Bound

The highlights

• Beautiful old cottage with a marvellous swimming pool.
• Stunning, modern living space that is open plan and ideal for socialising.
• Kids will love the games room complete with table football, a TV and a Playstation 4 games console.
• Great location from which to explore the island of Madeira.

You should know

• A car is essential for getting about the island of Madeira, and there's private parking here for three cars
• The master bathroom and one of the bedrooms are on the ground floor

The detail

On a lush green hillside sits this stunning modern villa, with views down the cascading slope all the way to the Atlantic. A refurbished and extended old stone cottage, you'll find a luxurious space with huge floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors providing panoramic views.

A high-tech kitchen means self-catering won't be a chore, and there's a wine fridge to make sure your glass of fizzy is served at just the right temperature. Slide open the doors to blur the lines between the indoors and out, with meals taken on the terrace. And if you'd rather cook in the open air, that's an option, thanks to the BBQ and outdoor kitchen area.

There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained, with a separate games room with table football, TV, and a Playstation 4 games console all ready to go when they’ve had enough time in the sun.

A real highlight of the home is the pristine swimming pool, with a range of loungers set around it so you can spend your days basking in the sunshine and enjoying the view of the ocean.

If you can tear yourself away then the sandy beach at Calheta, along with a selection of cafes and restaurants, is only a 10-minute drive away.

Made up of three main islands (Madeira, Porto Santo and Desertas), this geographical marvel flung out in the Atlantic is regularly voted Europe’s best island escape. And with its deliciously temperate climate year-round, extraordinary tropical flora and fauna, dramatic forested mountains and hilltop villages, it’s easy to see why.

Start by exploring Madeira’s capital city, Funchal, with its glorious colonial architecture, charming independent shops, restaurants, and wineries. Don’t miss Blandy’s wine lodge where you can sample the island’s famous sweet and syrupy fortified wine.

Next, head up high for a quintessential island experience – walking along the levadas (mini canals in the hills that used to transport goods) in the spectacular hills and valleys. Desertas is completely uninhabited (the clue is in the name) and virtually inaccessible, but Porto Santo with its 9km stretch of golden sandy beach, makes a delightful day trip.

Features

Essential