Medford Taylor
Madeira, Portugal

Among my many favorite places in the world, Madeira is near the top of my list. It is a small—35 miles [56 kilometers] long and 12 miles [19 kilometers] wide—volcanic island rising out of the sea some 400 miles [644 kilometers] due west of Casablanca. It has been aptly described as “the Pearl of the Atlantic.”

Your first impression is that you have landed in a lush green paradise, and you have. From its snowcapped peaks down to the many fishing villages along its coast, there are flowers and friendly faces. The steep hillside terraces of vineyards and banana plantations seem endless. The fishermen, in the Portuguese tradition, are as colorful as their brightly painted boats.

The arduous toil of Madeira’s farmers and fishermen and the isolation of this remote little island are relieved by the color, music, and dance of the many festivals which take place throughout the year. Madeirans, no matter where they go, always return to their island home, and so will I.

Medford Taylor is the photographer for Fodor’s Virginia.