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People Urged To Fly To ‘Hawaii Of Europe’ With Year-Long Summers
People are being urged to fly to the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ for their summer holidays.
Located roughly 500 miles from mainland Portugal in the North Atlantic Ocean, a strikingly beautiful island has earned the nickname ‘Hawaii of Europe.’
As an autonomous region of Portugal, it shares political and cultural ties with Europe, even though it technically rests on the African Tectonic Plate.
The island, along with its neighbors Porto Santo and the Desertas, forms an archipelago known for its lush landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and pleasant year-round climate.
The destination has long been popular among tourists, particularly from Portugal, the U.K., and Germany.
In 2021, British and German visitors numbered 148,000 and 113,000 respectively.
The island’s appeal lies in its mild weather, stunning natural beauty, and unique attractions such as its namesake wine, UNESCO-listed laurel forest, and network of hiking trails.
The capital, Funchal, located on the southern coast, is also a significant stopover for cruises crossing between Europe, North Africa, and the Caribbean.
However, one aspect of traveling here gives many travelers pause: its airport.
Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, named after the famous footballer born on the island, is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
According to The History Channel’s Most Extreme Airports, it ranks ninth globally and third within Europe in terms of landing difficulty.
The airport’s reputation stems largely from its unique topography and engineering.
The runway is built on a foreland that juts out into the sea and is categorized as a ‘tabletop runway,’ which means there are steep drop-offs on both ends.
To complicate matters further, hills and cliffs near runway 05 prevent a straightforward landing approach.
Instead, pilots must make a complex visual approach that involves circling the airport in a 180-degree turn before aligning for a short final descent.
Due to these challenging conditions, pilots must undergo specialized training to land safely.
Despite this, Madeira continues to attract visitors seeking adventure, breathtaking scenery, and a break from typical European destinations.
Hiking enthusiasts in particular are drawn to its peaks, like Pico Ruivo, which stands at 6,109 feet, and its unique levadas, or ancient irrigation channels that double as walking trails.
While its airport may be daunting, Madeira remains a gem of a holiday destination.
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