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Sport & Activities |
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| Swimming – Sunbathing – Snorkelling – Diving | |
| Madeira is the ideal place for a holiday. The water temperature is between 18° and 24° centigrade the whole year round due to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. Today is 25.10.2005 and the sea is calm at a temperature of 23° centigrade. With an air temperature of 26° centigrade and the gentle motion of the ocean waves, these are the perfect conditions for swimming, snorkelling, diving or just lounging around and doing nothing. | |
| Our own private bay at Canico lies directly on the underwater national park; it’s the only one around Madeira by the way. You can enter the water from comfortable platforms which you reach via stairways and ladders, there are also sun beds waiting for you there at no extra charge. |
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| The local reef is not only for divers; even when snorkelling you can enjoy the unique underwater world with its huge variety of colourful fish. | |
| It’s your choice. During your stay at our hotels, you are a fully fledged member of one of the most exclusive fitness studios on Madeira. At the Onda Revital Club, the use of all sports facilities and activities are free of charge, our sport complexes and squash courts are also at your disposal. | |
| One of the best diving schools in the Atlantic with access to our own local reef invites you to dive and snorkel at your pleasure. We would also be delighted to book a tee-off time at one of the local golf courses for you. It doesn’t matter whether you plan to go mountain walking or only for a stroll, you will find that our hotel complex lies in an ideal location, enabling you to explore the rest of the island. | |
| Fitness Center |
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| Onda Revital Club has an area of 2500m2 for wellness and fitness at its disposal. Here we have the most modern sports equipment to help you to tone up your muscles and take part in fitness training and cardio-vascular training programmes. We also have a multi-function gymnasium where you can play squash, basketball, volleyball, badminton and a whole lot more. There are a variety of exercise courses available at our aerobic centre and these are of course free and at your disposal. In addition, there is a Finnish sauna, bio-sauna, steam bath and indoor swimming pool with two adjoining Jacuzzis. | |
| Pilates |
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| Pilates serves to harmonise body and mind. That’s why a high value is placed on learning the right breathing techniques. The exercises can be adapted to suit people with different levels of fitness and so they are suitable for the less experienced, as well as those of you with healthy, well trained muscles. The exercises are done slowly with a high level of concentration. The individual exercises are also visualised with the inner eye beforehand to make sure that you get the motion sequence just right. | |
| Indoor Cycling |
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| This is also called “Spinning” and the exercises are done on specially adapted cycles that give an effective cardio-vascular workout. Training especially serves to condition lower parts of the body. | |
| Exercises for the hips downwards |
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| In these sessions we work with weights and rubber bands to tone up and strengthen muscles in the lower parts of the body. | |
| Weight training |
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| We have trained instructors at your disposal who are able to give a “body check up” at your request and help you to work out your own individual workout plan. |
| Diving & Snorkeling | ||
| Diving and snorkelling |
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| In the last few years, readers of the journal “Diving” have voted our base to the best diving base in the Atlantic. Do you want to know why? The answer is simply that not only is the base an ideal location for diving, but the quality of the equipment and tuition is also the best. | ||
| We are lucky to be in the path of the Gulf Stream which ensures water temperatures of between 18° and 25° centigrade the whole year round. Even temperatures below the surface up to a depth of 30 metres are almost the same as surface temperatures. For us, that means that we have many accessible diving locations that are easy to reach, where the quantity of fish stock is similar to that found in tropical waters. | ||
| We are the only diving base that is at the centre of an aquatic nature reserve which means that fishing and harpooning are not allowed. The fish in the reserve therefore reach a ripe old age and grow to be quite large. What is perhaps more exciting is that not only do they survive longer, they have also become quite trusting and so you can observe them quite closely without frightening them off. Directly in front of our base there is an underwater cave and the reef here drops to a depth of 34m. It is possible therefore to dive directly from the shore and experience the wonders of the Atlantic Ocean. | ||
| Everything about the base is exemplary. Our service includes an introductory course, equipment rental and instruction. Safety is also at the top of our list with Nitrox oxygen bottles which ensure a greater level of health and security when diving. Our diving base is the only one in the Atlantic to be awarded a certificate for acquiring 5 stars according to the quality and requirements of international DIN norms. |
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| This is our local diving reef which is famous for its colourful coral. | ||
| Esmeralda is almost our “pet” moray eel and she’s been living on the reef for over 20 years now. She’s used to our divers but you still have to be careful with such creatures. Her relationship to the divers is almost friendly, but you can’t count on it | ||
| Cuttlefish belong to the octopus family and you can often see them just with snorkelling equipment. | ||
| It’s a magical experience when the majestic manta rays glide over the local reef during the months of July, August and September. These peaceful creatures treat our divers to an unforgettable experience on their annual migration through our waters. |
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| Warm waters around Madeira also attract dolphins and whales. | ||
| For those of you who already know the local reef and waters immediately around the island, an aluminium speed boat is available to bring you to less accessible diving areas. |
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| The unknown beaches of Madeira |
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| There are sandy beaches on Madeira; they are beautiful and not at all crowded. In most of the brochures you will only find mention of the sandy beach at Canical, but there are a lot more of them. One of the most beautiful is at Cruz, as you can see on the photo. | ||
| Other beaches are at: Prainha (after the industrial area of Canical) Seixal (in the direction of Porto Moniz) Calheta (directly beside Calheta Beach Hotel) There are also many smaller beaches around the coast. If you take one of the tours around the island keep your eyes open as there are lots of wonderful beaches that are only visible when the tide is out. |
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| The photo you can see incidentally was taken in November when the air temperature was 26° and the water 23 ° centigrade. | ||
| Walking & Jogging | |
| Madeira has long been known as a paradise for hikers. Even
the most laid-back amongst you will be animated to join us on gentle walks
along the Madeira levadas. For the more adventurous, there are also more
challenging Alpine tours. As you will see, there is something for everyone
here. Canico has a central location on the island and you can reach the hiking paths and climbing routes quite easily from here. Hiking clubs and well known organisers of hiking holidays regularly choose our hotels for their holidays. |
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| Hiking tips at first hand | |
| Christa Dornfeld is not only an enthusiastic photographer,
she has also written guide books about hiking. She usually comes to the
hotel about once a week and you can get very useful advice about the best
hiking tours from her. You will find many of Christa’s photos in books,
brochures and posters of Madeira and there are not many people who know
their way around the island as well as she does. If you’re lucky, you may also have the opportunity to join her on one of her hiking tours. She will take you to the most beautiful, hideaway places and unveil some of nature’s secrets on this very special island of ours. Christa’s hiking guide book is available at the hotel |
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| A trip through the forests in a Jeep. | |
| The Jeep can take you deep into remote valleys
and along narrow gorges where anybody on foot would have to "rope up". Jeep
safaris transport you comfortably and safely, yet with an added sense of
adventure, into the unspoilt areas of Madeira. All arrangements can be made at the hotel reception. |
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| Golf | |
| A paradise between the greens and the ocean |
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| Golfing on Madeira is a real insider tip, with three challenging courses in the most indescribably beautiful, natural paradise you can imagine. Palheiro Golf Club is about a ten minute drive by car or taxi from the hotel. Further to the west and a little higher in altitude is the 27 hole course of Santo da Serra, with a transfer time of about 20 minutes from the hotel. We would even be happy to arrange your day out by boat to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo where can play the local golf course there too if you wish. | |
| You can find out about discounts on green fees and book your tee-off time for all of these courses at the hotel reception. | |
| Palheiro Golf Club |
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| Santo da Serra Golf Club |
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| Santo da Serra is a championship course with 27 holes, generous driving range and pitching and putting greens. In spring, it is host to the European Tour at the Madeira Open Championships. Why don’t you come along and match yourself with the real champions | |
| Porto Santo Golf Club | |
| Seve Ballesteros planned the 18 hole golf course at Porto Santo. There is also a 9 hole practice course and generous driving range, as well as putting and pitching greens. Why don’t you make a day of it? You will be picked up at the hotel and taken on a mini cruise lasting 2 _ hours across to Porto Santo. You can have a relaxing breakfast on the ferry and play a leisurely 18 hole game before a quick swim and rest on the sandy beach at Porto Santo. You can watch the sun go down on your way back by ferry and reflect on your unforgettable day. |
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| We’d be happy to make reservations here for you too at the hotel reception. |
| Indoor Sports | |
| Variable . . |
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| Our large multi-function sports hall located in our sports club area can be converted easily into either 3 squash courts, or be opened up into one large hall. We have our team sports programme here and play basketball, volleyball, badminton, or whatever your heart desires. | |
| Variable squash courts |
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| We have 3 tournament standard squash courts at Onda Revital Club. The courts are divided by flexible walls which enable us to convert a single court into a double one in the shortest possible time. Many squash clubs make use of these facilities and even organise training camps here. We’ve even had the German National Squash team here at our hotel. |
| Animation & Events | |
| Madeira’s fascinating underwater world |
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| Every week, Stefan Meier from our diving school
gives a very interesting and informative slide show about the fascinating
underwater world around the shores of Madeira. The slides are just brilliant
and when they are accompanied by Stefan’s specialised knowledge of the
underwater flora and fauna, then you will understand why the show is one of
the highlights of our weekly programme. Dive in and join us. The slide show is free of charge to our hotel guests. |
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| A stroll around the gardens near our hotel. | |
| We are situated in a remarkable garden landscape
surrounded by villa gardens. You will discover numerous interesting plants,
bushes and trees just by strolling through the hotel grounds and past the
gardens in our neighbourhood. We organise a weekly tour led by Christa
Dornfeld whose wide ranging knowledge of the plant life on Madeira has
already appeared in several publications. You will be delighted by the abundance of both tropical and subtropical flora on your doorstep. |
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| p.s. There are no poisonous animals
and no malaria or other tropical diseases to be found on Madeira. A natural paradise indeed ! |
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| Madeira's Concert Season. | |
| Madeira's cultural and
entertainment agenda covers a wide range of concerts and musical
performances. This features classical music from solo recitals to small
symphony orchestra concerts, performances by the famous Madeira Mandolin
Ensemble, the Madeira Jazz Festival and regular jazz sessions in various
night clubs. We are always able to inform you about "what's on" and arrange for tickets and a taxi if necessary. |
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| Others | |
| On the trail of Christopher Columbus. |
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| The Santa Maria is an impressive replica of
Christopher Columbus’s flagship. It took about a year to build and was
constructed by a Dutchman Robert Wijntje and seven local craftsmen in a
berth down by the fishing village of Camara do Lobis. You can also follow
the footsteps of Christopher Columbus by taking a trip in this very
impressive boat. We would be happy to arrange a reservation at our hotel reception for you |
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| Big Game Fishing |
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| I am Capt. Peter Bristow.
I would like to offer you this opportunity to join me on my boat the
Katherine B in what promises to be the fishing experience of a lifetime. The experienced fisher will find, with us, the best Mid-Atlantic big game fishing crew and equipment to be found in Madeira. |
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| For those wishing an introduction to big game fishing, you can learn to experience the thrill of the rod and reel under our careful instruction. | |
| If cruising's your thing, then come for a whale and dolphin spotting safari off the southern coast of the island. We can offer a whole days entertainment with lunch, swimming and general lazing around at sea as optional extras.. | |
| There is plenty to see on Madeira | |
| There are any number of museums and really worthwhile sites that you can visit whilst on Madeira. You can obtain information about where to go from our guest relations manager or any of the staff at the reception who will be happy to help you. We are always well informed about events and exhibitions going on on the island so do come around and ask for the latest, up to date information. | |
| Old Blandys Wine Lodge – Wine
Museum Old Blandys is a well preserved old wine cellar, still very much in its original form located in a Franciscan convent. There are the old oak barrels which were used to store the wine and mahogany winery machines which were used in the process of wine making. There is also a huge storage area stocked with bottles of vintage wines. Guided tours of the winery can be arranged with wine tasting in a special wine tasting cellar room. You can taste wines which are up to 100 years old, a real must for wine lovers. Mo – Fri 9.30am – 6. 30pm Sa. 10am – 1pm |
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| Christopher Columbus Museum You can actually visit a house that Christopher Columbus once lived in. The house has been renovated and you can still see Columbus’s manuscripts and his logbook from his third voyage of discovery. There are various reproductions and pictures which help to give you a realistic impression of his life. Trav de Sacristia 4 – Porto Santo Mo – Fri. 9am – 5.30pm Sa. 9.30am – 12pm |
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| The Frederico de Freitas Collection Frederico de Freitas was a lawyer living on Madeira who put together an impressive collection of antique furniture, sculptures, ornaments, vases and old prints dating from the 13th to the 19th century, which you can see in an 18th century house on the island. Calcada de Santa Clara 7, Funchal Tues – Sa. 10am - 12.30pm and 2pm – 6pm |
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| The Whaling Museum Madeira was a whaling island up until the 1980s. In those days the whales were killed by fishermen with harpoons from small boats, but as the numbers declined and fewer catches were made, the seas around Madeira were declared a protected zone. You can find out everything about Madeira and its whaling industry in the museum. Canical Tue – So. 10am -12pm and 1pm – 6pm |
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| Museum of Portuguese Modern Art This museum was first opened in Fort Tiago in 1992 and exhibits Portuguese modern art of the 20th century up until today. Fort Taigo, Funchal Mo – Sa. 10am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 5.30pm |
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| A Photographic History over the Last
200 Years This was Madeira’s first photo studio which now exhibits photos taken as long ago as 1848. You can visit the original studio with a catalogue of 380.000 glass negatives and much of the original photographic equipment. Rua da Carreira 43, Funchal. |
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| … and lots, lots more. We cannot mention all museums and places of interest here, but staff at our reception will be happy to book a guided tour around the town where you can look out for places that interest you. |
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