New Year
On New Year's Eve there are numerous cruise ships in the port of Funchal. In the evening, many small stalls with food and drinks are set up in the streets of the city. Madeira welcomes the New Year with its unique fireworks.
Fireworks are being launched all over Funchal at the same time. It is an overwhelming splendor of color in the sky. This fireworks display is one of the most beautiful and largest in Europe.
Fireworks are being launched all over Funchal at the same time. It is an overwhelming splendor of color in the sky. This fireworks display is one of the most beautiful and largest in Europe.
According to a Portuguese custom, 12 raisins are eaten at midnight, for each month of the new year they have a meaning: happiness, love, health, peace, prosperity, . . .
Did you know?
Shepherd skewer: "Espetada"
The delicious meat skewers are a specialty of the island. Fresh beef is cut into pieces and seasoned with coarse salt, garlic and laurel leaves. The meat is stuck on long metal skewers (formerly made of laurel wood) and grilled over open charcoal.
In addition fresh farmhouse bread and „Vinho Seco“ are served. The meat, grilled medium, is very tender and smells of laurel and garlic. Often there are barbecues in the villages at the butchers, where one meets a chat, an "Espetada" and "copo de vinho tinto". Delicious!
