Tiny tropical wonderland 4 hours from London where you can get a December tan and flights are £42

A tiny tropical island off the coast of Africa is the perfect winter getaway for those craving some sunshine. Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal, and it's got just above 250,000 residents.

Its capital, Funchal, is the perfect place to use as a base when exploring the island. In December, temperatures there hover at an average of 21C.

There's plenty to explore in Funchal itself, with the Mercado Dos Lavradores being one of the must-sees in the city centre. The food market is Funchal's answer to borough market, but thanks to the unique climate much of the produce won't be found anywhere else in the world.

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The market has fruits you won't have heard of (Image: FreedomMaster/Getty Images)

Fruits like pitanga, Monstera fruit, small Madeiran bananas, and extra sweet passion fruits are all available in abundance. Many stallholders also offer free samples - so you can experience the unique offerings firsthand.

While Funchal is a beautiful city, the rest of Madeira can't be missed when you're on the island. The island itself is actually the top of a shield volcano, and its size and location means there are countless mini-climates among the mountains and valleys.

Madeira is home to several climates that change rapidly (Image: Leeuwtje/Getty Images)

On top of that, most of the island's nature walks follow a Levada. The Levadas were how initial settles brought water from the North to the South of the Island, and the ever-flowing troughs are still in use today.

The uniqueness of Madeira is best explored by Jeep tour. The Skywalk, Fanal & Porto Moniz Pools 4x4 Tour has been named one of the best ways to see the island on Tripadvisor.

Most of the island's walks follow a levada as they transport water to the South (Image: Paul Biris/Getty Images)

With hotel pickup included, a guide will drive you and your small group up through the treacherous roads on the island, with regular stops to marvel at exotic plants and waterfalls.

The stops include Porto Moniz volcanic pools, where you get time to swim, a glass bridge at one of the highest points of the island, and the mystical Fanal forest, which is always immersed in a fairytale-like fog.

Reviewers all rave about the fun provided by the tour guides. When I was showed around by Gil, he made the experience unforgettable - because how can you forget driving under a waterfall in an open-top Jeep while your local guide hoots maniacally?

The volcanic pools in Porto Moniz allow you to swim in the otherwise brutal waters (Image: pawel.gaul/Getty Images)

Madeira has plenty of culinary offerings too. They're famous for Poncha, a rum drink made with local rum, orange juice, and fresh honey. If you end up in a hole-in-the-wall, make sure to order the scabbard fish with bananas - it sounds weird, but it's a local delicacy and works surprisingly well.

The top-rated restaurant on the island is Bistrot Des Anges. They serve modern Mediterranean food, with dishes like green risotto with prawns and s wordfish fillet in tapenade.

Bistrot Des Anges have no negative comments on Tripadvisor. One former diner said: " Another fabulous meal, well presented and excellent food. The service is first class. The scabbard fish is amazing, and the homemade chips are to die for. You must visit this restaurant."

Madeira grows so many bananas their national dish pairs them with fish (Image: pkazmierczak/Getty Images)

How to get there

According to Skyscanner, direct Ryanair flights from Stansted to Cristiano Ronaldo Airport (he was born in Funchal) start at £42 for a round trip. Prices are correct at the time of writing. You can see accommodation options on Booking.com and Hotels.com.

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