I am not a resort lover. I don’t fancy the idea of travelling shortsighted and not being able to know more than the four walls of the hotel, even if they are spectacular. Nor, for that matter, am I a fan of spending hours in a plane to land on a beach without something more than the warm waters and the big buffets. But the pressing need for a pause, in which the dolce fare niente is felt at every moment, left us wanting a destination where the sun and the beach would let us indulge in our inaction. The decision rested upon a national destination, though on the other side of the ocean; in a small island, though full of little treasures capable of seducing even the most distracted; in a closed resort sufficiently charming for us not to feel the effects of the enclosure. I am speaking about Porto Santo, the neighbour island of the “Atlantic Pearl”(Madeira). Though it isn’t a pearl it is certainly as precious as its partner. I surrendered to the benefits of some unusual holidays for me, but nevertheless it proved a delight to my senses.
Porto Santo is a small island about 11 km long and 6km wide, a 90 minutes trip away from Lisbon, 10 minutes from Funchal. It is known as the “golden island”, due to the colour of its fine sand covering the 9km of beach. That yellow sand turns golden when the sun position is propitious, unveiling at sunset a landscape of true gold over the blue of the ocean. The sea is one of the main attractions of the island, transparent, an intoxicating blue, with temperate water, where you can bathe without freezing, and swim lulled by the waves, faithfull companions of that salty water.
Although the beaches are the engine of the region’s tourism, it is still possible to find them nearly deserted, since the tourism is still unexplored, despite the significant increase in the number of hotels in the last few years. The island also offers other activities, such as golf, horseriding, bycicle rides, walks and watersports. All of this in a temperate weather, altough a bit windy at the beach, but nothing that a windbreak can’t solve.
We opted for the hikings, given that we’re used to know the places by walking. We visited Vila Baleira, host of the centre of the island, where we could find the commerce, services and the Municipal Chamber. A small, well arranged and picturesque place, ready to receive the party of São João.
In one of the edges of the island we explored Ponta da Calheta, marking the end of the island and the encounter with the sea that embraces the rocky coast.
Besides the footsteps on the road, we left kilometres of footprints in the sand, with a tranquility that only the song of the sea offers.
Having started this story referencing my lack of interest in resorts, I’m obliged to say how positively surprised I was with Pestana Porto Santo Hotel because of the friendliness of all the employees, the irreproachable service and the excellent infrastructures and because it didn’t allow boredom during my stay.
I recommend this Hotel but above all I recommend Porto Santo so that you can testify that the expression “golden island” is anything but an hyperbole.
