As with every trip & outdoor adventure there are always incidentals that are needed before even departing, depending on the planned activities. Before this trip we purchased (for 3 adults): 2 backpacks (Osprey porter 45L & 30L), 2 pairs new hikers, 2 down vests, 1 down jacket (Eddie Bauer), 1 rain jacket (Eddie Bauer), a few pieces of quick dry clothing (Icebreaker), Travel size hygiene products & medications.
And then there is the new camera and telephoto lense, monopod, and a Cotton Carrier system (a Canadian company based in Vancouver). Really nifty system to keep you hands free while hiking, and the camera within a moments reach.
Flights: Ottawa – Toronto – Azores – Madeira (return fare) $706 per person
House Rental Madeira: Home away Reference #1670394
Casa Felix – 11 nights €1745 (no service charge – no cleaning fee) (cost breakdown as follow: €1430 for 2 people + €15 each additional person (€165 for 1 person 11 nights) and (€150 for 2 people 5 nights)
Car Rental Madeira: Madpoint Rent a Car (not on-site at the airport, but they deliver the car to the airport upon arrival) – We rented an automatic with diesel which costs more in Europe. €890 for 11 days. With Madpoint everything was included. (In Madeira we would recommend a stick shift diesel with some power, the roads are very steep in places)
House Rental Azores: Home away Reference #821579 Azor’Oasis – 4 nights €380 (+ service fee €39 + refundable deposit €300)
Car Rental Azores: Ilha Verde (on site at the airport) €202 for 4 days (they had a promotion so we upgraded to a Mazda – standard shift diesel – we were glad to have a bigger, more powerful car again)
Food and Drinks: In Madeira the larger grocery chains have everything you need in one go; basic household items, food, beer, wine, liquor. Medications can be purchased only at a designated pharmacy. Food is reasonably priced and wine is cheap.
We shopped most at, Pingo doce & Continente. Most residents speak very good English. The Pingo doce validated our parking and Continente has parking lots.
Things to note: They do not cater to special diet other than limited lactose free products. The fish counter can be confusing if you are not used to the different types of fish. The milk and eggs are not refrigerated. The local cheese is really good. Local beer is called Coral. Madeira is made sweet, semi-sweet, or dry and it’s great to drink or cook with.
15-Apr; Continente €33 (3 bottles wine)
16-Apr; Pingo doce to stock up when we arrived came to €158 (meat, fruit, veg, condiments, snacks, bread, drinks, beer, wine)
17-Apr; Pingo doce to get the things we forgot yesterday and a few extras €59 (water, bigger bottles of hygiene products, couple more meals)
19-Apr; Continente to stock up for our 2 new guests arriving €114 (meat, fruits, veg, water, snacks, beer, wine)
20-Apr; Continente €55 (pizza, snacks, soft drinks, wine)
24-Apr; Pingo doce €113 (more snacks, milk, yogurt, fruit)
25-Apr; Continente €30 (Taco fixings, beer, drinks)
26-Apr; Pingo doce €23 (1 meal, wine)
28-Apr; Mini Melo €6 (eggs, cheese, milk, wine)
28-Apr; Meu super €21 (meat, chocolate, yogurt, granola, wine)
01-May; Continente €11 (beer, wine)