Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
*
Leather Goods
Top 10 Gifts to Buy
!
Embroidery
There are fashionable leather
shops aplenty in the narrow
streets that lie north and south
of Funchal cathedral
(see pp8-9)
,
but a factory outlet called Pele
Leather has some of the best
value leather goods on offer,
with an extensive range of
leather bags, wallets, clothing,
luggage and briefcases to
choose from.
d
Rua das Murças 26A,
Funchal • Map P3 • 291 223 619
Now highly regarded by
couturiers, Madeiran
embroidery had unlikely
beginnings; it was started by
Bella Phelps in 1844 to
provide work during a slump
in the wine trade.
@
Tapestry
Tapestry, a close cousin of
embroidery, has been pro-
duced on the island since the
1890s. Kits are available for
amateur enthusiasts.
#
Wicker
Centred around Camacha,
Madeira's wickerworkers cre-
ate 1,200 different articles.
$
Wine and Liqueurs
As well as fortified Madei-
ra wine, the island produces
aguardente
(translated as
“rum , but actually more like
brandy) and fruit liqueurs.
%
Leather
Bootmaker at Barros e Abreu
(
Barros e Abreu, Funchal
Leather bags and shoes
are a Portuguese speciality.
^
Pottery
The traditional leather ankle
boots made by Barros e Abreu
Irmãos are surprisingly comfort-
able, but unlike their beautiful
and timeless leather sandals,
they may look out of place back
home. Buy them from the stall in
the Mercado dos Lavradores
(see pp18-19)
, or see them
being made at the workshop in
the Zona Velha.
d
Workshop: Rua do
Portão de São Tiago 23 • Map Q5
Another speciality is pot-
tery in Moorish designs, or
shaped like cabbage leaves.
&
Cakes
Festive
bolo de mel
(honey cake), once made only
at Christmas, is now a year-
round treat, made using cane
sugar, nuts and fruit.
*
Flowers
)
Books
Colourful and long-lasting
blooms make a good souvenir
of this garden isle.
Literally no more than a hole
in the wall, Funchal's Livraria
Pátio has a good stock of books
on the history, culture and wild-
life of Madeira, including anti-
quarian rarities. Another Funchal
bookshop selling most books on
Madeira in print is the charmingly
old-fashioned Livraria Esperança.
d
Livraria Pátio: Rua da Carreira 43. Map
P2. 224 490 • Livraria Esperança: Rua dos
Ferreiros 119. Map N3. 291 221 116
(
Boots and Sandals
These are handmade in raw
leather, to a timeless design.
)
Pompom Hats
Thick, cable-knit hats and
sweaters made from raw
undyed wool are worn by
Madeira's farmers to keep off
the chill.
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