New air connections to Madeira starting in April 2012
Hoya - perfuming our garden
Hoya or Wax Plant Hoya pubicalyx, is a climbing plant native to India and Southern Asia. Belonging to the Apocynaceae family, there are many varieties of Hoya pubicalyx. This Hoya blooms in July and its inflorescences, shapped as an umbrela,start as dark pink but by the time they reach full flower they are already clear pink with red coronas. Flowers are very fragrant especially during evening hours and they spread a sweet scent over our outdoor bar, though it only lasts for 2 weeks.
Its leaves are green, relatively narrow, succulent and with a smooth texture. The wax plant needs to be watered once to twice a week, depending on weather conditions and its exposure to sun should be moderate.
Funchal Jazz 2012 is already being prepared
Indeed the great Funchal Jazz Festival 2011 just passed and we are already talking about its 13th edition in 2012... All because we are thinking about you and so you may already book your holiday for early July 2012, including the days of this fantastic event: Thursday 5th, Friday 6th and Saturday 7th July 2012.
This year's (2011) Jazz Festival was a big success with 9 thousand spectators attending it on the 3 nights and the performances of the artists were notably amusing. The Funchal Jazz Festival 2012, which will be held on the 5th, 6th and 7th of July, has not yet a confirmed program but it is certain that the festival will continue to be at Parque de Santa Catarina and will be composed, as usual, by big names in the international jazz scene... For example, Chick Corea and Jamie Cullum are among the artists that have already been invited by the organization. Plan your holiday to assist to this Jazz event and stay in Quintinha, one of the closest hotels to the festival, just 10 minutes walking! We commit ourselves to join the festival spirit and provide some more animation at the hotel. Book in advance and get the best prices! On your request we will buy you the tickets for the 13th edition of Funchal Jazz Festival, on the 5th, 6th and 7th of July 2012.Joining the spirit of Funchal Jazz Festival
This week Funchal celebrates the annual Jazz festival and, in keeping with the music theme, the Quintinha staged a fantastic night set around the spa and outdoor swimming pool.
The evening was perfect – sitting by the pool bar sipping cocktails and listening to the sounds of the new up and coming duo “Spot the Difference”, waft through the night. Sarah Borges (guitar and vocals) and Tiago Lomba (keyboard and vocals) played a varied repertoire including music from Alecia Keys, Coldplay, Jack Johnson and Ben Harper. It was cutting edge and most original. So popular was it amongst the guests, it may just become a regular feature… watch this space!
Next Sunday, the 10th July 2011 the Quintinha de São João is looking forward to welcoming back Jorge Reis (piano) and Gualberto Anjo (saxophone) to the Vasco da Gama Bar at 21.00hrs. As on past occasions, they will fill the hotel with their own very special and wonderfully melodic music.
Madeira Nights: Celebrating São João, our Patron
What a success… thank you for a wonderful Madeira summer night… marvelous food… idyllic setting… great company… unforgettable…what fun! These are just some of the comments that have been buzzing around the hotel this morning. Our guests are, of course, referring to the fantastic traditional party held last night in the magnificent gardens of Quintinha, in celebration of our patron saint, São João (Saint John).
Colored bunting and traditional paper lanterns hung from the trees, whilst pots of sweet basil adorned the tables. Accompanying these were the traditional “simpatias” - carnations made out of crêpe paper with verses on requesting favors from St. John (usually of the romantic nature…)
The popular “marchas” and Madeira songs served as background music whilst everybody enjoyed the warm, balmy night and exceptional traditional buffet. All the Madeira favorites were there: sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, tuna fish “salpresado”, fresh sardines, espetada, and charcoal grilled chicken to name just a few of the dishes. This was washed down with refreshing ice cold sangria and rounded off by a mouthwatering table of desserts.
The evening culminated in a Madeira folk dancing show performed by a local group from Boa Nova – not to mention the participation of many of the guests!
What a joy it was to look round the Quintinha garden and see everybody enjoying and celebrating the night of São João.
Truly the best way to start the Summer! Quintinha is preparing more surprises for the next months to turn our guests' experiences into Madeira memorable moments.
Theme weeks, Madeira, July 2011
June and July are month of festivities and Quintinha wishes to celebrate with its guests all the good moments of life, so here are our special weeks during July:
São João Week - 20th to 26th June 2011
- Quintinha will be typically decorated as we celebrate our patron, São João (Saint John's)
- São João's barbeque at the hotel gardens with typical food from this festivity (tuna, cobs, baked beans with skin, potatoes and cherries)
- Folklore music
- Walk to see Saint John's altars decorated at Praça do Carmo
- And to end the week the Fireworks of Madeira Atlantic Festival on Saturday night
Funchal Jazz Week - from the 4th to the 10th of July 2011
- Jazz night at the Vasco da Gama bar
- Jazz night at the hotel swimming pool
- Funchal Jazz Festival 10 minutes walking from the hotel with the following performances:
Thursday, 7th - John Scofield Quartet; Danilo Perez Trio
Friday, 8th - Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo Duo and the Brandford Marsalis Quartet; Todd Sharville; Rui Veloso
Saturday, 9th - Cassandra Wilson
- Special promotions for SPA treatments for grandparents
- Special promotions and gifts grandparents coming with grandsons for a holiday stay in Quintinha
Do not miss these opportunities, come and celebrate with us!
Lotte & Chris feedback on Quintinha
Jade Plant for prosperity
The Jade Plant Crassula argentea, from the Crassulaceae family, also known in English as Japanese Rubber Plant or Dollar Plant, is originally from South Africa. As a succulent plant it has the ability to store water in its green leaves, woody stems and roots.
Jade Plants grow up to 1 meter high in rounded shrub form and have white star-shaped flowers which bloom in the Winter, from December to February. They need sun exposure to partial shade all year and in Madeira they can be cultivated from the sea level up to 700 meters of altitude. The Jade Plant is cultivated worldwide and it is the Chinese ultimate symbol of prosperity so it is used in Feng Shui for financial luck.
