For our daily walks we receive participants from all over Europe, and together with our (bilingual) guides are we pleased to share the passion for the nature with them. Thanks to the participant’s enthusiasm and motivation we experience great fun each time we walk the Levada´s of Madeira with them.

Walking with groups is sharing the joy of nature.

When a group or organization contacts us (regardless the nationality) we start designing a special program according to the needs of the group. We first discuss with the group leader and all the participants the following items:

• Type of accommodation plus wishes;
• Location;
• Dates and Times;
• A program to ensure that all the wishes from the group are met.

During this process we are in continuous contact with each other to build together the best program.

Each time when we welcome groups to Madeira Island, it becomes a new challenge for us. Each group has its own designed / tailor-made program. Groups can stay in various kind of accommodations, from local Residences to 5-star hotels. Nature Meetings will prepare a program, before the group confirms their visit to Madeira, of which we are confident it will guarantee an enjoyable time.

Groups are not only from various countries, but also from organizations, such as: walking groups, Sport organization, Associations (Bridge, Dancing, Yoga etc), local/private business, national institutions, schools, media, family/friends, etc.

Whatever the background and needs are, it is always a great pleasure for us to design, arrange and carry out groups programs on Madeira.

Together with all our partner Agencies, Tour Operators and the local authorities on Madeira, are we looking forward to another successful year 2010 in which we (again) will share our passion with all the visitors to this beautiful Island of Madeira.

Nature Meetings
Site: www.naturemeetings.com and www.walkingmadeira.com
E-mail: info@naturemeetings.com
Phone: 00351 291 524 482 or 00351 964 513 856
Fax: 00351 291 524 484

Due to the weather conditions in February, Madeira has noticed that visitors canceled their holidays as they believe that Madeira is too much affected with landslides and damages on roads, and that it will spoil their holidays.

With the support from various organizations can I inform everyone that Madeira has returned to be (again) the great location for you to enjoy your holiday!!

Funchal, is now a full operational town with all its beauty and the many locations of interests; all the hotels are available to welcome every clients and the island is accessible to all its viewing points and Nature walks.

Obviously, not everything is as it was before (due to the dramatic weather on 20th of February). However, Madeira has recovered thanks to the support of the local community, businesses and government. Also the with the International help and Madeira lovers abroad. The only thing we ask of you now is to visit Madeira again once more … that way you will help and support the local people and businesses who have suffered from the 20-2 flood.

Help Madeira and (re)visit this beautiful island!!

The airport, that was not affected except it was closed on the day of the floods, is fully operational and all the main roads are now open to the public. Unfortunately there are still some locations that are isolated (Tabua, Serra da Agua and Encumeada), therefore we advice everyone to make first inquiries before traveling towards these areas.

Many footpaths on Madeira had problems with fallen trees and landslides; however the majority of these walks are now repaired and accessible to the public.

Nature Meetings daily walking program is now fully operational, with the exception of the full day walk on Sunday: “Slopes and Valleys of Calheta” and Wednesday: “Laurisilva Landscapes”. The Full day walk on Sunday has been removed from our program and we only offer our half day Levada walk: “Amazing Vistas”. The full day Levada walk on Wednesday is replaced with a Laurisilva Levada walk from Santo da Serra to Portela (this is temporarily, as the original walk from Ribeiro Frio to Portela should be open in May 2010).

We advice all walkers on Madeira prepare themselves for the walk they intent to do, as there can be obstacles on the walking paths, and be aware that it can be slippery as it requires some time to dry out.

In particular, it is crucial that people don’t do a Levada walk on their own!! There might be unexpected situations that can result in a premature end of your holiday her on Madeira. Therefore we (including the authorities on Madeira) strongly suggest to make use of the services of a walk guide through the various qualified walking organization.

On January 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. With these tragic events in Haiti, the guides at Nature Meetings decided to donate all the money that they received during the Madeira Walking Festival to the International Red Cross. As this gesture is very much appreciated, the management of Nature Meetings decided to triple the amount donated by the guides.

Others around the world are joining efforts to assist the earthquake victims. Your donation can help disaster victims rebuild their lives and their communities.

For obvious reasons, safety starts before the walk and it is crucial that everyone is prepared for the challenge what is waiting for them. Walking the Levadas of Madeira or any other Nature walk brings its challenges and therefore we advice that every walker is wearing layered clothing (what is easy to remove) and has water proofs with them. Other requirements are: sun protection and water (if possible a torch).

The highly trained mountain guides studied for 1 year, coffering everything in relation to walking on Madeira. This combination of responsibilities from both parties and Madeira’s walking facilities will give you a pleasant and relaxed walking experience.

Unfortunately, over the years more and more people have entered the walking industry, pretending to be a guide. These illegal “guides” are putting walkers life’s at risk, and are unable to supply the service, information and safety.

This situation has caused great concerns on Madeira and due to this there is an increase of accidents. To ensure that your guide is qualified with what he/she is doing we advise you to ask your guide to show you their license. Certified guides are proud with their profession and with their commitment to follow the very intensive guiding course.

Over the last few years we have seen more and more walking groups visiting Madeira. As walking lovers, we are very excited showing everyone this beautiful island. However some of these groups are bringing their own walking-leader who has no (Madeira) experience nor are qualified to guide. This is not only illegal according to the Portuguese law, it´s also very dangerous.

Dit dorp is bekend om hun A-vormige huisjes. Echter moet wel vermeldt worden dat er nog maar weinig staan (sommige mensen denken dat het hele dorp bestaat uit deze huisjes, maar dat is niet zo).

Nadat we iedereen van hun hotel hebben opgehaald, zat de smaak er al snel in. Echter waren er 2 wandelaars die bij de DSB zitten (nou ja “zaten”) en die waren nogal gespannen met wat hun te wachten staat als ze terug in Nederland zijn. Toen onze gids dit merkte, bood ze aan om haar tips, die ze eventueel aan het einde van de wandeling zal ontvangen, aan deze mensen te geven (een gepast grapje mag zo nu en dan wel eens … toch?).

Na een kopje koffie bij de A-huisjes, zijn we naar Pico das Pedras gereden.

We hadden een leuk groepje van verschillende nationaliteiten, gelukkig sprak ons gids verschillende talen en werden dus alle wandelaars op hun wenken bediend. Omdat Madeira om zijn Natuur bekend stond, wilde menige toerist een wandeling maken in het “Laurisilva” bos, en in het algemeen koos men dan voor de wandeling naar Rabaçal met zijn 25 fonteinen. De wandeling naar Rabaçal is zeker de moeite waard, ook de route die je rijdt om daar te komen is heel mooi. Helaas wordt de wandeling boven Santana vaak vergeten want deze is zeker zo mooi.

Na een half uurtje kwam de eerste groep aan in Queimadas. Even stoppen voor wat foto’s voordat het serieuze werk gaat beginnen. De wandeling gaat verder langs de Levada dieper het bos in. Gelukkig had het de avond ervoor wat geregend dus de Levada was vol met water en de watervallen waren spectaculair.

Nadat de eerste 8 kilometer erop zaten, werd er gestopt voor een picknick, lekker rustig in de natuur met prachtige uitzichten en onder het genot van heerlijke geuren van de natuur (en ons verse broodjes).

De gids besloot om na een half uurtje weer verder te gaan, want als je te lang stil gaat zitten kan je lui worden en is er tevens een grote kans om een verkoudheid op te lopen, tenslotte er stond nog 5 kilometer voor de boeg.

Onder het genot van het lied: “wie zal dat betalen……”, gingen we weer vrolijk verder, en na 2 uur lopen kwamen we aan in het gehucht: Ilha.

Doordat het heerlijk weer was (een graad of 24, met een zonnetje) hielden we een stop bij een klein bar en veranderde het bestellijst van koffie en thee naar Bier en wijn.

Na het fluitje van de gids werd iedereen gevraagd om weer in het busje te stappen, want het was inmiddels 16uur en het was tijd om iedereen terug naar hun hotels te brengen.

Tijdens de terugreis werd er veel gepraat over de wandeling en werd er stiekem hier en daar een oogje dicht geknepen.

Al met al heeft iedereen genoten, en kijken we allemaal terug naar een heerlijke wandeling in het Laurissilva bos van Madeira.

O ja, voordat ik het vergeet de DSB klanten zijn nu 5,00 Euro rijker.

Nature Meetings is contacted by the local authorities as soon as a walker is in difficulties. With our experience we locate the casualty, make an assessment and contact the emergency services to advice them how to handle and which tools are required.

Most of these accidents are walkers who are walking by themselves. With the aftercare we supply we noticed that most of these walkers used some kind of documentation (books, Internet or information by friend and/or family).

We understand the reasons why people like to walk on their own, however not everyone is aware of the walking conditions on Madeira (that could change daily!).

Therefore you should take precautions before you decide to walk on your own.

• Get all the walking conditions before the start of the walk, such as: weather, vertigo, tunnels, landslides, duration, and distance.
• Where do you start and finish (is there transport).
• Inform your accommodation where you going to walk, what time do you leave and what time do you expect to return. Leave your contact details with your accommodation.
• Prepare yourself properly with: shoes, clothing, walking equipment (as long as you prepare for the worst, you should be ok).
• Ensure that you have a mobile with you, and that you have the numbers from the emergency services (be aware not everyone speaks your language).

In the previous article we published more advice.

As I wrote earlier, Madeira experienced last years an increase of the casualty rate (mostly broken bones, cuts and bruises, including a few fatalities). Therefore I would advise you to consider your options.

With the transport costs, loss in holiday time, Health & Safety and all nature related information in mind, you will realise that Guided walks are saver and cheaper.

Whilst I do understand that you might want to walk on your own, you must realise the dangers you might face.

Please, consider your options!

Currently we are in the autumn, what means more change of rain and lower temperatures at night.

As Madeira has beautiful but high mountains, the air temperature needs longer to warm up for the clouds to disappear. Therefore many visitors wake up in the morning, open the curtain and noticed that it is raining.

The local population is delighted with rain (as long as it is not too much) however holiday makers are often disappointed as they visited Madeira for the sun.

But Madeira is one of those locations that is also beautiful when it is raining, the nature opens and the aroma from various plants are spreading over the island what makes it a delight to walk through the Laurisilva Forest.

The enjoyment of this experience does bring a few important issues.

Therefore we suggest that you are prepared for anything what the nature can offer you during the autumn.

1. Have waterproof clothing with you.
2. Keep your walking information dry (maps, compass, torch etc).
3. Have good profiled shoes (and waterproof).
4. Return when it rains too heavy.
5. Have dry clothing with you (Sweater and trousers).
6. Prepare the walks extra careful.
7. Minimise your walk to a maximum of 6 hours.
8. Complete your walk before 17.00hrs.
9. When in doubt, return to the start.

Be aware that the walking paths can be slippery, and therefore very dangerous. Get advice before you decide to walk.

Not only the Nature Walks could be slippery, the normal footpath around Madeira can be very slippery as these are made from small, colourful little stones and rock.

Every Wednesday, we offer the Levada walk from Ribeiro Frio to Portela.
It is a well known Levada walk, and due to its location, very popular for walkers. After a short visit to Madeira’s Trout Farm and knitting stalls entering we the Laurisilva Forest of Madeira (UNESCO World heritage since 1999, covering 149.5km2 of Madeira).

During the walk you see all the Laurisilva vegetation with beautiful views into the valley located on the North side of Madeira (Porto da Cruz), and if you look into the Levada you might even see “baby” Trout’s.

Other than its popularity, it is also the most dangerous walk.

By studying the walking guide books, this walk is classified as easy or medium (even the local authorities are given this walk a grade: 2). However, most casualties are taking place on this walk (from cuts, brushes to broken bones)!

We have been investing some time to understand why so many accidents are taken place on this particular walk.

As this walk is one of the only Levada locations (in the Laurisilva Forest) were you can travel to/ from by local transport, a lot of walkers are walking on their own and follow the instructions what is written in a book. Unfortunately, the dangers are NOT written down, such as: vertigo, slippery slopes and wet/humid conditions. What crucial is, is that due to a landslide a half year ago, the walking path is diverted. This diversion is not clearly marked, and most walkers are following the instruction from the documentation. This old path (over the landslide) that the walkers are following is extremely dangerous, with steep drops (Vertigo). At the end of the walk, the path is going downhill with the Levada in the middle. With even the slightest bit of rain, the Levada overflows what turns the path into mud and makes the path extremely slippery.

The combination of weather conditions and the lack of knowledge turn this Levada walk into Madeira dangerous walk.

Therefore I strongly recommend that if you want to do this walk, you do this with a qualified guide. If you insist that you want to do this on your own, please seek advice from the local authorities and check the weather conditions.

We call it: Amazing Vistas, based on the magnificent views (“Vistas” in Portuguese). Located near the Eagles Rock between Porto da Cruz and Faial (North/East).

It is an easy walk, suitable for all ages with a walking duration of around 2hrs; you can extent it with a half a hour if you want.

The walk takes you through isolated terraces and farmyards, with continues views in to the valley and over the Atlantic Ocean. During this walk you feel the peace and quiet of Madeira, smell the flowers and image how the population lived over the years. It is everyone’s favourite walk; even our guides who walk this walk weekly enjoy it on each of their visits.

After we left our starting location in Funchal at 08.15hrs, we were greeted by the sun. Our 3 mini busses had the task to collect walkers from various countries, covering a large variety of languages (English, German, French, Dutch, Finnish, Danish, Swedish, Portuguese, Spanish). With our multi language Certified Mountain Guides, we covered all the languages, and within 30 minutes every participant was collected.

We were lucky, as the schools are closed and a lot of local started their Easter holidays, we arrived at the start of the walk within 30minutes.

After the safety instructions, we started to walk and we were not disappointed. Lots of flowers and the company of a buzzard. As a reward we ended at a small local bar, were our clients had the opportunity to spoil themselves with coffee and homemade cake.

As this was a Half Day walk (travelling time plus walking time, 4hrs), we returned our guests at around 12.30hrs at the reception of their hotel.

And once again, everyone looked back to a lovely leisure walk with the afternoon available to entertain themselves.