Achadas da Cruz – Madeira, Portugal

Achadas da Cruz on Madeira island is the ancestral home of my mother’s family. I grew up hearing stories of the tiny little parish town and the steep cliffs my grandparents had to hike up to bring produce back and forth from the even smaller village of Fajã da Quebrada Nova. It was like a pilgrimage for Alex and I to walk in the footsteps of my ancestors. When we came to the parish cemetery and I saw so many gravestones with my mother’s maiden name emblazoned across them it really hit home.

Local Parish Church – Nossa Senhora Livramento

Caldeira – My mothers family name

Local businesses include a post office and general store

At the top of the cable car terminal is the Calhau Snack Bar

The steepest cable car in Europe

Tiny village of Fajã da Quebrada Nova at the bottom of the cable car ride

Nearby are hikes along the levadas

Achadas da Cruz Cable Car – Achadas da Cruz, Madeira

The Achadas da Cruz cable car takes you down from a high precipice to the tiny village Fajá da Quebrada Nova. This is the steepest cable car in Europe with a trip length of 600 meters and a vertical drop of 450 meters.

The Calhau Snack Bar is at the top of the precipice where you will get into the cable car.

Fajã da Quebrada Nova at the bottom of your descent.

The cable car ready to take you back up the cliff.

The Albatroz Beach & Yacht Club – Santa Cruz, Madeira

The Albatroz Beach & Yacht Club is a small 20 room hotel in Santa Cruz, Madeira. The hotel is conveniently located near the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport. The hotel has a beautiful pool overlooking the sea and spacious rooms also with ocean views. A wonderful hotel restaurant complemented the hotel perfectly with dinner by the sea.

The Pool Area

Trying Madeira signature dish Bolo de Caco at the hotel restaurant.