Situated off the coast of North-West of Arfrica the Portuguese island of Madeira has been a popular winter destination since the mid-19th century due to its moderate climate and its beautiful lush scenery, hilltop villages and canal-side walks. A long list of celebrity guests, including Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin, have escaped to the famous Reid's Palace, a bastion of old-world charm, elegant sophistication and afternoon tea on the terrace. In the capital Funchal, there are colonial restaurants, gardens, a market and a 16th-century cathedral to discover.