Around Madeira

An update from the IFCN has confirmed that PR 19 - Caminho real do Paul do Mar - is now fully open. Additionally, PR 2 - Vereda do Urzal - is open between Lombo do Urzal and the 6.2km point only and PR 17 - Caminho do Pináculo e Folhadal - is open only between Encumeada and Bica da Cana.  The parts of the trails that remain closed are considered dangerous. The closure signs and barriers are for the safety of walkers and should not be ignored. In addition to the danger, anyone found on the closed sections of path may be subject to penalties.

As part of an ongoing dispute involving Madeira's bus drivers, local press is reporting that a strike is scheduled for 25th and 26th June affecting all three of the island's bus operators.  Previous strikes have varied in the degree of disruption, but it is possible there will be few, if any, bus services on these two days.  It's possible the strike may be called off if further negotiations take place. The SIGA website may provide information on service levels should the strike go ahead.

The previously-extended deadline for the use of pre-paid bus journeys using the old HF (non-SIGA) Giro cards has been extended again.  If you have not been following the SIGA saga, a reminder that bus transport in Madeira has been reorganised over the last year or so with the promise of new and improved integrated ticketing options which have largely yet to materialise.  In the past, for the (yellow) HF buses in Funchal, it was possible to buy tickets in advance using an electronic 'GIRO' card more cheaply and more conveniently than paying a cash fare on entering the bus. Many tourists, particularly regular visitors, will have kept their cards from year to year. The demise of these tickets has been repeatedly announced, but there has been a concern about the tourists who may lose the value of tickets bought on a previous visit and indeed about the increased delays on the buses if visitors are all obliged to buy tickets on board in the absence of any alternative. The latest d...

Just a reminder that May is the month of the annual Flower Festival. This year's parade takes place on Sunday, 4th May, starting at 4.30pm along the Avenida do Mar. There will be road closures, bus routes will be curtailed and the area will be very busy - and if you haven't booked a place on one of the official grandstands, you'll need to arrive early to find a spot from which you can see the procession.  Although the parade is the highlight of the festival, there are 25 days of activities to keep everyone entertained and there will be carpets of flowers in various locations to admire.

TAP have announced a direct flight connection between Madeira and the Algarve for the summer season. Flights, taking a little under two hours, will run twice weekly (Mondays and Thursdays) from June 2nd and September 11th - the linked announcement gives details of the schedule. There have been various attempts to establish a direct link between the two tourist destinations without any lasting success, so this latest attempt will be under some scrutiny. Connecting flights are available throughout the year via Porto or Lisbon (in the latter case continuing by train is also a realistic option) and may prove cheaper, if more arduous.

Owing to works on the electricity system, there will be diversions on the Levada das 25 Fontes (PR 6) walking route on 16th, 17th and 19th April. As some one-directional parts of the trail will have two-way traffic, the route is likely to be more crowded (even) than usual. Please pay attention to the local signage.