Pleasant warmth and stunning scenery: these European islands are perfect for winter vacation

Planning a winter vacation always involves a risk - winter weather is more capricious and unpredictable than summer. However, there is a place in Europe that pleases with comfortable warmth even in winter.

According to Express, it is the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, located off the northwestern coast of Africa. Recently, it was recognized as the best in Europe in the Condé Nast Traveler's Readers Choice Awards 2024. In November, the average maximum temperature here is 21 degrees Celsius.

Madeira offers travelers the best you could want from a vacation. It has a stable climate due to the fact that it is located next to sunny Morocco. This makes the archipelago a safe place for a warm winter vacation.

The volcanic origin of the islands means that there are several natural pools that have been formed from cooled lava over thousands of years. Now they have become sources of exceptionally high-quality water. And the proximity of the ocean contributes to this.

Madeira's magnificent beaches and crystal clear sea allow European tourists to forget about winter and relax in the sunshine. However, the archipelago offers much more than beach relaxation. Their volcanic origin means that the islands have a very interesting landscape that is fascinating to explore. For this purpose, there are many hiking trails. They run along each of the four islands.

The laurel forests, located in Madeira, are over 20 million years old. They cover 15,000 hectares and you can find many animals in their natural habitat, so it's worth going for a walk.

As is usually the case in Southern Europe, Madeira's food is excellent. Be sure to try Espetada Madeirense, a beef kebab cooked on a wood-fired grill, or Filete de Espada, a typical local seafood dish.

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