Madeira has quietly become a family favourite: no real beaches, but natural lava swimming pools at Porto Moniz, dolphin-watching boats from Funchal and the famous wicker toboggan run down from Monte — a genuine street-luge steered by men in straw boaters. Teenagers take to the levada walks; everyone takes to the honey cake. Go in spring or autumn, when the island is green, warm and blissfully free of school-holiday pricing.
Featured in Ten brilliant family holidays every age will actually enjoy · Family