Madeira Bigger Than America

For the United States the ‘Fourth of July’ and fireworks go together like hamburgers and hot dogs and Americans LOVE their fireworks, but the biggest display that ever took place was in Madeira in December 2006.

In 37 launch sites spread across the island of Madeira, pyrotechnics experts set off no less than 66,326 individual fireworks.

In fact, Madeira snagged a Guinness World Record for the largest fireworks display in the world that year.

One might say that the natural beat of the island is a continuous fireworks display due to the perpetual pulsing festivities this paradise offers to natives and visitors.

For more information and news, please visit: www.acropolissgps.com/news/

Madeira ‘Independence’ Day – 1st of July

Source

This Sunday is Madeira Day, the national holiday which celebrates the anniversary of the archipelago’s independence from mainland Portugal, granted in 1976 by the Portuguese Constitution.

Official ceremonies are held throughout the Autonomous Region of Madeira, while families and friends enjoy picnics and plenty of lively local events.

No celebration would be complete without a cake, and in this case, the most appropriate for the occasion is the famous Madeira cake, best enjoyed with tea or a glass of Madeira wine.

If you wonder about the recipe, here’s a peek:

Source

Preparation time:

15 minutes

Cooking time:

50 minutes

Oven temperature: 160 C / Gas mark 3

Makes:

1 x 450g/1lb Loaf cake

Ingredients:

150g/ 5oz Glutafin Select Multipurpose White Mix

110g/ 4oz Butter (melted)

2 Medium eggs

1 Medium egg yolk

110g/ 4oz Caster sugar

2 Lemons, grated zest and 1 x 15ml tbsp juice (reserve remainder for topping)

1 x 5ml tsp Gluten-free baking powder

Topping

2 x 15ml tbsp Remaining lemon juice from above

75g/ 3oz Caster sugar

“Bom proveito”

Last day of vintage drive in Madeira

A fleet of beautifully restored classic and vintage cars are on display at the annual Classic Rally.

It’s the XXIV Madeira “Classic Rally” Tour, which started on the 22^nd and finalizes today on the 26^th.

Visitors can admire the unique vintage vehicles along the Avenida Arriaga, before participants drive the winding roads with over 400 km through the breathtaking landscapes of the island.

The rally is held over a number of stages, from Funchal to Camara de Lobos, Santana and beautiful Machico.

It is a unique experience for participants and visitors. One of many events Madeira has to offer throughout the year.

The number of tourists, who choose the island, increases continuously, which in return incentives the organizers to outdo themselves each time.

For an in-depth view about Madeira and all available possibilities, feel free to contact: www.acropolisSGPS.com

Son of Madeira does a double whammy

After a nerve wracking start for the Portuguese team, with several opportunities to score but not achieving the coveted objective, the Luso team's persistence pays off as Madeira’s son Christiano Ronaldo scores not one but two spectacular goals for Portugal, qualifying the team for the last eight of the Euro 2012, whilst at the same time sending the Dutch team home and out of the tournament, without winning a single game.

Fireworks and honking car convoys could be seen and heard throughout the island as celebration went on until the next day.

Final score: Ronaldo: 2; Van der Vaart: 1

Portugal, Hello. Netherlands, Best of luck next time.

For more information, please visit: http://www.acropolissgps.com/

The awareness of spending money you don’t have

Source
With the current difficult period due to the austerity measures of the Financial Economic Adjustment Program, locals are not giving up holiday traveling and simply travel according to budget.

A conclusion drawn by several travel agencies but at the same time indicating that it is too early for final conclusions as the assessment is only based on the result of daily bookings.

 "Locals are acting according to their circumstances, preferring cheaper programs," said, Gorete Araújo, responsible for the ‘Bravatour’ agency and further points to the destinations that are below a thousand euro budget. Aimed at the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain) and the Canary Islands.

Alberto Machado, a spokesman for the 'Abreu' agency, considers it to be "very significant that, despite of the 2012 crisis having worsened, the sector is in line with the same period as in 2011" due to "a policy of inviting prices."

People are no longer, as in previous years, approaching the counter and selecting the destination without hesitation. They now ask for a destination according to budget.

Madeira itself, as the Caribbeans, remain at the same preferred destination level as last year.

Duarte Rodrigues, director of ‘Porto Santo Lines’, a company that has the concession of the shipping route between Funchal-Porto Santo, reckons, it is too early to predict how locals will stand in regards to Porto Sant in times of crisis.

"Even so, we think that Porto Santo offers competitive and affordable prices - far better than the Canaries - with accommodation and transportation for seven days, 222 euros," he says.

 "But of course, everything will depend on the available income of people, we will await with great expectation," he concludes, hoping also that the proximity - the island of Porto Santo being 45 kilometers from Madeira, the two and half hours by boat and 15 minutes by plane - "is crucial in making the decision."

Be aware, where you can invest. For more information please visit: http://www.acropolissgps.com/

Portugal on a road to growth

Bill Rhodes today on Bloomberg:
“You got to have a plan for growth that will lead out of austerity”.

One way of growth is to invest intelligently, foreseeing a prosperous return.

Invest wisely with Acropolis SGPS. Please call us for investment opportunities.

http://www.acropolissgps.com/contact_us.html

Get a taste of Madeira

You might know Barbeito Madeiras, as it has been imported into the UK by Raymond Reynolds for some time.

Now, there is a new range of wines launched by Blandy’s, the family company which just celebrated its 200 years of local existence and also owns Madeira’s most famous hotels, the all-important travel agency and the local paper.

Together with names such as Cossart Gordon, Leacock and Rutherford & Miles, Blandy’s constitutes the Madeira Wine Company, whose much-visited cellars occupy part of a 17th-century Franciscan monastery in the middle of Funchal.

So why not savor the embodied spirit of the island directly at its place of birth? Surrounded by the astonishing magic of nature, the ocean breeze and all it has to offer.

For further information, please visit: www.acropilissgps.com/news

Madeira – Cultural Festival in Funchal 2012

Madeira’s Cultural Festival week. Ending on the 27th of May.



Madeira is currently celebrating its cultural festival event.

The vision behind this cultural event is to bring History on to the streets. Organized by the Capital’s city hall, it displays five historical periods.

It is an opportunity to relive History by getting to know the Portuguese heritage of this beautiful island and guarantees to enrich you with this unique individual experience.

Make your own history and invest in a slice of Madeira.
For further information, please visit: http://www.acropolissgps.com/

Acropolis SGPS - European Blue flags awarded to 275 beaches across Portugal

This year, 275 beaches across Portugal will be awarded the prestigious blue flag for quality, four more than last year, according to the European Blue Flag Association (ABAE).

Madeira Islands have been awarded 11 blue flags in total for its beaches, and one blue flag for its beautiful Marina in Funchal.

According to ABAE, Portugal is one of the countries with the highest percentage of beaches with blue flags, at 52.2 percent.

Blue flags are awarded annually to beaches and marinas that adhere to a series of strict environmental, safety comfort and informative criteria.

The beaches awarded the Blue Flag in Madeira Islands are as follows:

Funchal


Cb Ponta Gorda-Poças do Governador
Situated in the west of Funchal, integrated into the Public Garden Sea, this beachfront complex is part of a rocky coast, with sea access by stairs.

Clube Naval do Funchal
It lies west of the city center (3 km). It is a bathing area built on bedrock, with ample sunbathing area and saltwater pools.

Formosa (Madeira)
Located in the west of Funchal, is one of four belonging to the beaches of Praia Formosa Complex.


Porto Moniz
 

Porto Moniz
It is a bedrock beach, formed by cement-cooling lava flows in contact with the sea.

Porto Santo
 

Porto Santo – Fontinha
The beach is located near the main urban center of the island. It is an extension of 100 m from the golden sandy beach that stretches over 9 km on the south coast of Porto Santo.

Porto Santo – Ribeiro Salgado
The beach represents a grant of 85 meters in length, at the sea front of the Hotel Pestana Porto Santo, surrounded by a golden sand beach, known for its therapeutic qualities.

Santa Cruz
 

Galo Mar
It lies at the base of a cliff, within the limits of the Partial Nature Reserve Garajau in Canico.

Garajau
The beach is located at the base of the cliff of the Tern, being integrated in Garajau Partial Nature Reserve. It is a pebble beach, a small sheltered cove high and rocky coast.

Palmeiras
Pebble beach, located on the beachfront city of Santa Cruz

Roca-Mar
The beach of the Roca Mar is situated at the base of a cliff, near the eastern boundary of the Partial Nature Reserve Tern.

Santana
 

Ribeira do Faial
It lies at the mouth of the Ribeira do Faial, with an interesting geological structure (columnar prismatic). Integrates a small pebble beach and a solarium of 3450m2


For further information please visit: http://www.abae.pt/

Come and visit Madeira and explore this beautiful Island. For information about Madeira and investment opportunities within Madeira please contact us http://www.acropolissgps.com/

Ricardo Santos - Madeira Islands Open Champion 2012

Ricardo Santos became the first home-grown player to win the Madeira Islands Open for the first time in its 40-year history.

The Portuguese star powered to a stunning 63 yesterday at the Santo da Serra course to scoop the silverware in a record low 22-under total.

Sweden's Magnus Carlsson finsished second and Denmark's Andreas Harto finished third.

An elated Santos said "I don't have the words to describe this week as it is very emotional,To win my first European Tour event in my own country is very special. It was a sensational round and definitely the best of my career. I dedicate my win to my wife and daughter.”

Santos, who graduated to the main tour earlier this year, was presented with a first prize check of €112,500, and wasted little time acknowledging the backing he had received around the course. "It was amazing to have the crowds here supporting me," he said. "It would be difficult to imagine a better win than this... This is a huge moment in my career."

For full scorecards please visit: The European Tour

Acropolis SGPS - Monarch Airlines announces new routes to Madeira

Monarch Airlines are preparing to operate new flights to Madeira from London Gatwick and Birmingham airports, from 15 October 2012, with fares expected to start from as little as € 61.50 one way (€ 136 round trip), taxes included.

Flight bookings are currently available at http://www.monarch.co.uk/

Kevin George, Executive Director of Monarch Airlines comments:

“With a heritage of over 40 years, we believe that our product offering is perfectly positioned to penetrate the leisure market of Madeira. Our strategy for the company is now focused firmly on regular operations and it is with great pleasure that we add a new route from Madeira to our already extensive network of leisure destinations across Europe.

To celebrate the new routes from Monarch, we will offer a € 12 discount on bookings of flights back and forth. To take advantage of this offer, use the discount code * WOOD when making your reservation.”

UK flights accounted for about 20% of traffic at Madeira Airport in 2011, the second biggest market for passengers. The entrance to the airline at Madeira Airport represents an additional supply of 90,480 seats per year.

Madeira Airports represented by its board director, Duarte Ferreira warmly welcomes the start of this new operation with Monarch:

“The entrance of Monarch at Madeira Airport follows the strategy that the company has developed to consolidate the UK market and make available to passengers a differentiated offering, and the profile of this company is part of this strategy. It is also noteworthy that this operation be launched in winter, thus contributing to reversing the trend of increased seasonality that has been recorded in this period. “

Source: Aeroportos da Madeira

Madeira Islands Open 2012

The European Tours heads towards The Madeira Islands where Santo da Serra golf course will host this year’s Madeira Island open. The Open returns to this special golf course for the first time since 2008.

The last three Madeira Islands Open were held at Porto Santo Golfe. Northern Irishman Michael Hoey was last year’s winner. Englishman James Morrison and Argentine Estanislao Goya were the other victors at Porto Santo in 2010 and 2009 respectively, while Scotsman Alastair Forsyth was the last player to win at Santo da Serra, in 2008.

Madeira Island golf is special.

English Golfer Chris Gane will be one of many golfers competing for the prize money. He was quoted on the European Tour website:

“I’ve played here many times – it’s a beautiful course, especially the third and fourth holes,” he said.  “When the wind blows it can get very interesting. It’s a unique one in that play can be suspended at the top of the hill because you can’t see your hand in front of your face for fog, but down the hill the holes are fine and the guys are still playing.

“You get every type of weather here. It’s probably the only course in the world where the wind blows upwards. It’s unpredictable but I know the course well and hopefully I can play well again."

Welshman Bradley Dredge, a previous winner of the event (2003) will also be taking part this year.

"I always enjoy coming to the island of Madeira," Dredge told Europeantour.com. "The course has improved every year so I'm looking forward to going back there. The food is always really great in the nice restaurants there and we stay in a good hotel.

"It's always nice to come back to a place where I've played well in the past.

For more information please visit:  http://www.europeantour.com/


For those that enjoy golf and golfing holidays why not consider investing in Madeira?

We at Acropolis SGPS offer fantastic investment opportunities for investors – we even have Investment opportunities close to the Sir Nick Faldo designed golf course (currently under construction) in Madeira.

Acropolis has taken pride in providing its clients with privileged investments taking advantage of a beneficial economic situation and unique tax exemptions. The aim of our projects is to make the most of the exclusive opportunities available in Madeira at the current time and pass those opportunities on to clients throughout the world.

Acropolis SGPS - Madeira Flower Festival

Fed up with rain, rain and more rain? well look no further - only a few hours flight from all major European destinations, Madeira is sun, sun and more sun!

The beautiful island is currently celebrating the Flower Festival which started on the 19th and ending today.

Historically, the flowers are a fundamental feature of the landscape of Madeira. The island's mild climate allows a variety of flowers to bloom everywhere, which naturally enchant for the beauty they emanate and the scent they exhale.

The highlight is the Flower Parade, with several groups of over a thousand participants who, bearing costumes depicting flowers, dancing to the sound of exquisitely selected music, through the main arteries of the city, along with fantastic floats, beautifully decorated with many different varieties of flowers of Madeira.

Besides the Flower Exhibition, the art of the construction of the floral carpets will be open to the public until April 25th, at the ‘Largo da Restauração’, which is also a major attraction for those who visit the Island.

Previous years Flower Festival Videos. Source: Source: RumaVideo of You Tube

If you like beautiful flowers and beautiful Madeira then you will love our beautiful Investments. Please contact Acropolis SGPS and provide you with advice to help your Investments blossom with heathly returns.

Please visit our website: http://www.acropolissgps.com/
or Telephone: 00 351 291 239 403
Article source: http://www.visitingmadeira.com/

London Olympics - 100 days to go!

With only 100 days to go before the start of the London 2012 Olympics our attention is on local windsurfing sensation João Rodrigues as he prepares for the event.

Born in Santa Cruz, Madeira, he is one of the favourites to obtain a medal from the Portugese delegation.
The handsome sailor is has been representing Portugal in the Olympic Games for more than 16 years and is one of the best RS:X windsurfers in the world. If that wasn't enough he speaks four different languages (English, French, Portuguese, Spanish) and has a degree in mechanical engineering.

FACT: On 14 June 2011, João Rodrigues successfully sailed non-stop across the open Atlantic Ocean, a distance of more than 160 miles (296 kilometres) between Madeira Island and Selvagem Grande.
The Portuguese rider completed the challenge in only 10 hours and this feat has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records!

Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour will be the venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Sailing competitions. It was the first London 2012 Games venue to be finished.

Article source and pics: Surfertoday.com

Madeira - best place to buy overseas property!

A recent article by Mary Wilson published in the Financial Times on April 07 2012, suggests a rise in tourism is boosting sales of property on the Island.

Linda Beaney of Beaney Pearce, who markets Palheiro Village in the UK, says in the article: “The sales market in Madeira has continued at a steady pace over the past three years. While fewer Brits have bought than in the preceding three years, they have continued to feature, and sales have also been to a spread of other nationalities including Scandinavians, Brazilians, Germans and South Africans.

For full story: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/3d6f6422-7989-11e1-8fad-00144feab49a.html#axzz1sCQMBYOd

For more news on Madeira and Madeira Investments please visit the Acropolis SGPS website.

http://www.acropolissgps.com/

Acropolis SGPS

Like the building of our namesake ancient Greek monument a strong investment portfolio takes time to build. It requires a strong foundation to enable you to expand, diversify and take calculated risks. Everyone wants to let their money take care of itself. And it can, provided you build your portfolio to withstand the volatility of the market.

Everyone knows the saying ‘It’s about being in the right place at the right time’ But every successful person also knows that you can make your own luck by making sure you’re in the right place at the right time.

At Acropolis we help you to build and maintain your investment portfolio developing your personal wealth through clever positioning in an emerging marketplace. This way you stand to take advantage of an area ripe for growth and poised for prosperity.

We are a Madeira based company who specialise in Investments in emerging markets. With established offices in the heart of Madeira’s capital, Funchal, we aid our global client base in developing their personal wealth. Whether this is through helping our clients to create a healthy portfolio or building upon an existing one, we assist medium to high net worth individuals in finding an opportunity to suit them.

For more information please visit: www.acropolissgps.com

Pearl Island Project

Situated on the western tip of the island and looking out onto the expanse of the Atlantic ocean, Ponta do Pargo is ideally located to enjoy the dramatic scenery and sense of space that Madeira gained its reputation for.

Until recent years Ponta do Pargo in the rural district of Calheta wasn’t on the average visitor’s itinerary. Aside from the most adventurous hikers who ventured to the dramatic coasts to spot dolphins or witness the famous sunsets, the region was relatively unexplored.

With an international standard Sir Nick Faldo designed golf course under construction on the West facing cliff tops and huge government funded improvements to infrastructure, it is now tipped to be the fastest growing emerging region of the island.

Land on this part of the island has more than doubled in value since planning was agreed for the prolific golf course.

Our project compromises of plans to build 20 strategically placed villa plots on an area of land 17,519 metres squared. Sitting on a plateau overlooking the golf course the villas will be in a prime spot for the elite golfing crowd and thus will demand high prices for rental and sale.

Existing plans place each luxury contemporary villa on its own 750 square metre plot with private pool and gardens. When built each villa is estimated to be worth around €1.5 million giving the total project a worth of around €30 million.

This is clearly attractive to a developer who stands to make a substantial profit from the sale of the villas. It is even more attractive to us, the land owners and you, the investors, who stand to make unrivalled returns from becoming involved in the project at its inception.

Returns on the project could top 300% if sold with full planning permission which is expected in 2012.
All these ingredients add up to a low risk, short to medium term investment with phenomenal returns. This is a unique proposal in the current financial market where low risk generally means low return or longer term investment.

For more information please visit: www.acropolissgps.com

Why Madeira?

Specialising in emerging marketplaces we saw Madeira as an ideal place to begin.

Our directors recognised the potential in burgeoning market and wished to pass the exclusive opportunity onto others. Aside from the stunning mountainous scenery and blankets of exotic flowers that lure millions of visitors to the tiny Atlantic island each year, Madeira’s land is also unique in terms of opportunity.

Land in Madeira retains its value and is appreciating at a rapid rate on regions of the island with considerable development.

So why is land on Madeira faring better than much of the rest of the Eurozone? 70% of land in Madeira is protected and with an increasing tourism numbers and overseas home buyers the supply of homes cannot keep up with the demand.

Five star hotels, resorts and villas are the accommodation of choice in Madeira. With a high number of cruise passengers arriving each year and golf beginning to draw in a global audience, high end accommodation is ever popular on the island and developers are keen to be a head of the curve.

For more information please visit: www.acropolissgps.com

About Acropolis SGPS

Acropolis SGPS are a Madeira based organisation specialising in Investments in emerging land and property markets. With offices in the centre of Madeira's modern cosmopolitan capital Funchal, we assist new and established investors achieve the best returns on their finances. Helping our clients build strong investment portfolios, or to assess and expand on existing ones, we help medium to high net worth individuals to find opportunities that suit them, and will be available at every step to advise or discuss any queries they may have.

Since its inception in 2009 Acropolis has taken pride in providing its clients with privileged investments taking advantage of a beneficial economic situation and unique tax exemptions. The aim of our projects is to make the most of the exclusive opportunities available in Madeira at the current time and pass those opportunities on to clients throughout the world.

For more information please visit: http://www.acropolissgps.com/