On top of the world

I never tire of the view from Monte.

This is taken from a vantage point high up in the gorgeous grounds of the Quinta do Monte.

The Monte Palace Gardens are gorgeous, but if you want peace and quiet away from the tourists (especially if there are cruise ships in port) just head up to the right from the road from the cable car. 

The Quinta is super, and they serve fresh mint tea picked from their lovely garden. They’ve stopped charging an entry fee. Well worth spending a delightful half hour.

An alternative way up, if the cable car queues are awful, is to take the number 22 bus......not for the faint hearted.

Extra : a typical Funchal bus queue.... and this one’s electric.