Thanks to Sheldon James for sending me this link.
Everyone has heard of Spain’s picturesque Canary Islands – these are known as one of the great party destinations of Europe and home to some other-worldly landscapes (including those seen in the 1966 movie One Million Years BC). But Portugal has its Atlantic island destinations as well – most notably the stunning Azores. The Azores are one of two autonomous Portuguese regions – the second is Madeira.
Madeira is an archipelago found just under 250 miles north of the Canary Islands and 320 miles off the coast of mainland Africa. Madeira is a popular year-round resort and a great alternative to visiting the Canary Islands. The islands are known for their beaches, volcanic landscapes, flora, fauna, and pre-historic laurel forest.