A little bit country, a little bit coastal, this stone house in Calheta offers the best of both worlds. One look at that incredible view, stretching from the mountains to the sea, and you can't help but feel completely content. Chances are, you'll spend most of your time here out on the terrace, sipping cocktails on the swing and lazing on the lounge chairs in the sun. In the evenings, enjoy an alfresco feast at the colourful table, using the built-in barbecue to rustle up an authentic wood-fired meal. When the night air gets a little too crisp, retreat inside to the cosy living room and curl up in front of the salamander stove. There is lots of traditional character to be found – stone walls, wood beams, Portuguese tile flooring – yet the design has contemporary air, with a sleek kitchen and bright, minimalist bedrooms. If you can pull yourself away from the view, a twelve-minute drive will take you down to the water, where you can stretch out on the Praia da Calheta – one of Madeira's few sandy beaches – and grab a drink and a bite to eat at the seaside restaurants and bars. Or, don your hiking boots and hit the mountain trails, also a short drive away – Levada da Rocha Vermelha has gorgeous waterfalls to discover and is fifteen minutes by car.

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