It is said that no
one comes here by accident.
That the island
attracts only those who should be here.
Porto
Santo is an endless summer, expanse of crystal, turquoise ocean and
perhaps one of the most golden beaches in the world.
It is also a
visit to the culinary heaven of sensations, evenings with the taste
of exquisite vine, juicy watermelons and ripe fig.
Walks along the
ocean, morning coffee with view of rising sun, but also silence which
we won’t find in any city.
Porto Santo is also a challenge.
The mountain peaks will make you fill the
thrill.
Viewpoints will stun with the
prospect of a paradisiacal landscape, and unhurried bike trips will
help you to get to know the island from a new perspective.
But
there is something else, something no tourist knows.
This island
will make you slow down, start breathing deeply.
After first days
of your stay you will notice that you have started to walk
calmer.
The flowers start to smell nicer, the golden sun reflects
in black coffee, and you start to remember what really matters in
life and how much more is still worth exploring…
Christopher Columbus
(yes, THAT Christopher Columbus) who used to live here, understood this. Till this day we don’t know if he came here lured by the island’s famous beauty, or in commercial purposes, but we know the fact that here started his new way of life – discovering new lands. However it was, it is worth to visit Christopher’s house, which now functions as a museum. You can find there lots of documents, portraits, maps, and parts of historic three-master. Awakens imagination?
It’s only the beginning.
After two, maybe three days you will stop asking about the Wi-Fi password in every restaurant you visit.
There will be a moment where you just sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.
The moment in which you will allow yourself not to ask.
You will not be
interested in fresh news from Poland and world, nor Instagram photos
of people which in reality you don’t know.
You will focus on
true, deep laugh of old islanders.
You need to know that here
people laugh a lot.
They laugh because the life on island is easy,
unpolluted by possession needs or rush.
You will notice shortly
that you become a part of this diverse community, when suddenly you
feel someone’s hand on your shoulder.
You will think “Do I
know him?”.
No, you don’t.
Neither does he.
But you are
connected by sun, carelessness, golden sand and deepness of
ocean.
That is how life is on the island.
Why worry, if the
sun will rise tomorrow?
It’s best to watch it from one of
island’s peaks (dreams?).
It will slowly
emerge from the ocean, slowly illuminate the landscape, so that after
a while a great golden ball will pave the way for sailors ...
Although "trekking" does not sound particularly
romantic, it is worth paying attention to the "king" part
and maybe you can become the king of the island for a while?
Mature
greenery of Pico do Castello, from which peak extends amazing
view?
Maybe high serpentine curves of Pico da Juliana?
And Pico
do Facho, proudly standing highest peak of the island, which once was
lookout, now viewpoint.
Pico do Gandaia, Pico do Maçarico,
Pico Ana Fereira it’s only some of the picturesque peaks.
Some
say that during the night you can hear the voice of fado singers….
But each medal has
two sides.
Since we have been to peaks, let’s see the bottom.
It
doesn’t sound great, we know.
But – ocean floor around Porto
Santo hides many secrets.
It brings lots of divers from around the
world. Rich ocean flora and fauna meet the
expectations of the most experienced divers.
The braver ones
admire the wreckage of the Madeirense ship
located off the islands coast.
The sand of Porto Santo
should be regarded as the eighth wonder of the world.
Its color
cannot be compared with any of other beaches.
It shimmers, sparkles,
it is iridescent.
It is like a precious stone – with each look
it seems different, as if it is deceiving us, as if it is trying to
fool us...
Enormous beaches of the island are covered with sand of
coral origin, hence their color, texture and unusual a little
magical, a little healing properties.
It smoothes the skin,
relaxes and curates, allowing us, as is often said, to bask as if
there is no tomorrow.
Windswept Porto Santo is also a clear,
clean air that is worth enjoying. Forget about the smog, forget the
polluted urban landscape. The residents take care of this treasure
extremely.
Suffice to say that Porto Santo is slowly becoming the
cradle of renewable energy and is switching to electric cars.
Porto
Santo, as has already been mentioned, is above all a calm climate, an
overwhelming aura of peace, silence that is only interrupted by the
sound of ocean waves.
Porto Santo is also lots of hospitable small
settlements and a colorful (though not noisy) capital – Vila
Baleira, the most populated part of the island.
It is here that
you will taste Portuguese specialties, healthy fish, juicy fruits and
aromatic herbs.
The island is
considered one of the last parts of Europe, which has not been
reached by mass tourism. Why?
Well, because the Portuguese are
reluctant to share Porto Santo.
They want to have it for
themselves.
Neighboring superstar Madeira?
Yes, a gem.
Porto
Santo?
A precious gem.
Porto Santo is also
climatic marinas, romantic ports, and indescribable spots.
They
are to be discovered.
In the footsteps of Columbus, in the
footsteps of your dreams.