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Classic cars cruise Madeira countryside

Cars from a different era will hum through spellbinding landscapes and enjoy vistas out to sea as they race around the paradise island of Madeira.

Starting in Funchal, a stream of vehicles built as far back as the 1920s will cruise 400 km around the islands natural marvels and traditional towns from June 27th to 30th.

As they whistle and creak through hair bend turns, the cars will pass by historic Quintas, the palatial mansions and lavish gardens where Portuguese nobility lived.

The Madeira Laurel forest is a protected Unesco World Natural Heritage Site so the classic car caravan is unlikely to pass under the mist above the towering waterfalls.

Drivers will also miss out the sugar canes that fill plantations with the sweet plant as they are harvested in early April and processed in traditional techniques that a visitor who is not in a rush can take in.

They will take in white walled towns nestled among palm trees and dense vegetation as well as mountain top castles.

Visitors don't have to join the procession of old vehicles to enjoy the bounty that Madeira has to offer.

With regular arrivals and departures to the UK from Funchal airport, visitors can visit as quickly or sedately as they wish.

Article ID: 187, Posted: Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:30:00 GMT