Nearly all of Madeira’s rain falls on the island’s north shore, so to facilitate agriculture on the island’s south, its early settlers created a series of man-made aqueducts known as levadas. It’s perfect as a snack or for mopping up typical soups, such as tomate e cebola (tomato and onion) and açorda (bread and shellfish stew). Check the fruit out in the slightly chaotic Mercado dos Lavradores where you’ll also find a colourful array of other fruits and vegetables that thrive in Madeira’s subtropical climate. Madeira’s eponymous wine was created when barrels of the stuff spent months on ships baking in the hot sun.

Brave the crowds at Mercearia da Poncha to try the unmissable poncha (a highly alcoholic drink mixing sugar cane aguardente, honey, sugar and fruit juice).

Madeira’s signature dish is espetada, chunks of beef marinated in garlic and bay leaves, skewered on a laurel branch or metal skewer, and grilled. Although it may seem logical that Madeira cake is the island’s typical sweet, the light sponge actually has British origins. Traversing the island's Unesco-recognised laurisilva forest via these levadas is one of best ways to experience Madeira's wondrous natural setting. With a long black body, giant goggly eyes and teeth resembling a disorganised pincushion, the espada might just be the ugliest fish ever created.

The tipple was subsequently used to toast America’s Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776 as well as the inauguration of George Washington as the USA’s first president in 1789. North Mills Distillery, on the island’s north shore, is one of the only remaining steam-powered factories in Europe. Laffan, one of Portugal's top Michelin-starred chefs, pushes culinary boundaries, marrying Madeiran bounty with mainland European roots (black scabbardfish tortellini with sage and olive butter, for example). Or go to Regional Flavours – a top-notch Madeiran experience where dishes use island-sourced ingredients.The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Pocket Madeira, a colorful, easy-to-use and handy guide that literally fits in your pocket, provides on-the-go assistance for those seeking only the can't-miss experiences to maximise a quick trip experience. Vendors assemble in the early morning and bring a huge variety of tropical fruits – bananas, of course, but also passionfruit, guava, papaya, custard apple, pitanga, tamarillo and other fruit generally more associated with South America. Finance is provided by PayPal Credit (a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH). Check out Lonely Planet's Portugal guide for a comprehensive look at all that the country has to offer. Sun-chasing Europeans flock there year-round thanks to the subtropical climate ⁠— 70°F (21°C) on average, all year ⁠— but this beautiful island may soon be seeing more new visitors.