Each newsletter we highlight a place of interest around the globe that we consider as unique as Borgo di Vagli. The tips are selected as they either show respect for the environment, nature, and architectural beauty or are deeply indigenous to their individual origin. This newsletter we highlight Stefania’s trip to the lush island of Madeira.
We stumbled upon this incredible place just by surfing the Internet looking for somewhere to stay for our vacation in Madeira.
We had never been to the island and therefore knew very little about what and where to stay. We were still debating between a hotel for standard comfort or an independent accommodation for privacy and relaxation, when my boyfriend asked “What about a yurt in a banana plantation on top of a cliff?”
Suddenly I was hooked: after reading so much about the lushness of the local vegetation and the beautiful forest the island offers, I felt this was the perfect base for our stay, in touch with Mother Nature.
Canto Das Fontes is the project of Roberto, a Madeiran entrepreneur, who inherited this piece of land or paradise (however you want to call it) from his Grandmother. Roberto was 8 years old the first time he went to help his Grandma irrigate the banana trees and he vividly remembers how much he enjoyed listening to the sound of the waterfall and watching the boats down the sea. After some time his Grandma was too old to continue to take care of the land and it remained abandoned for almost 20 years, until he decided to bring it back to life.
The site is located 100 meters above the beach of Anjos, a small village between Ponta do Sol and Madalena do Mar, on the sunny west coast of the island and it includes two Tipi tents and a Yurt for guests to stay as well as a communal Tipi tent with fire and wifi connection and a communal kitchen area for socializing
The tents are spread and secluded amongst the vegetation of bananas and hundreds of other plants that you can barely spot them and you certainly feel like you are alone in this piece of greenery and waves.
Traveling with a 2-year-old boy, made it even more magical and adventurous, from transporting our bags and food supplies with a pulley, to finding our place between the hidden paths, to looking for wood for the fire at night, was all very special.
The yurt was extremely comfortable, in size and amenities. It had two doors: one opening towards the kitchen (fully equipped with everything you may need and beautifully built with natural materials) and the bathroom (obviously a composting toilet, in line with the natural philosophy and a great shower with rocks from the beach below as a floor) and the other looking out at the ocean, just uninterrupted ocean!
We spent leisurely days at the camp: we always woke up before sunrise, waited for the sun with a cup of coffee in one hand and dinosaur in the other, read tons of books in bed looking out at the sea, picked fruits, vegetables and herbs that are planted throughout the site, fed the lovely onsite cat and really just spent the sunny afternoons sun bathing and splashing each other with cold spring water.
The place is definitely not for the faint of heart, it requires to climb around 100 steep steps and the paths are uneven in some places, but the sense of peace and tranquility you get (once you catch your breath again) is just immense!
Obviously located in two different “worlds”, yet so many things reminded me of our Borgo: the remoteness of the site, the complete tune with Nature, the vision and the passion for details…
Thank you Roberto and Fulvio for creating such special places.
For more info, visit http://www.cantodasfontes.pt
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