That sounds like a logical progression for your trip. You may find these sites useful for planning the train trips: http://www.fsitaliane.it/homepage_en.html (note that you can take the train to Sicily from the mainland. http://www.seat61.com/ - this site has links to the various national train sites where you can find schedules and prices.

Madeira Cable Car: See prices and opening time. http://www.madeiracablecar.com/index_UK.html Madeira bus information: http://www.tjwalking-madeira.com/public.htm http://www.madeirahelp.com/funchal_bus_tickets Madeira Basket Cars(sledge run) prices: http://www.madeira-seekers.com/FunchalSightseeing.html Santa Maria Cruise Boat site and prices: http://www.madeirapirateboat.com/ In Porto Moniz Village in the north of the island you can find wonderful lagoons among see rocks were you can swim safe. Madeira as no beaches. If you want to go to the beach you can just travel to the second island of the archipelago, Porto Santo. There you find a 10km beach with white sand. Nice small island reachable by tiny plane or boat. Porto Santo island Ferry Boat Prices: http://www.portosantoline.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=20&Itemid=73&lang=en Plane to Porto-Santo island here: Time and prices. https://www.sata.pt/en/ebooking/request?__utma=1.1185622008.1350915581.1350915581.1350915581.1&__utmb=1.1.10.1350915581&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1350915581.1.1.utmgclid=CMfukNDolLMCFbDItAodWDgAvg|utmccn=(not%20set)|utmcmd=(not%20set)|utmctr=sata&__utmv=-&__utmk=190583339

Yup I could :P

NEUER HELIUM-BALLON Unser Unternehmen gibt mit Freude Touristen und Anwohnern den Kauf unseres neuen Helium-Ballons bekannt. Mit den besten Materialien und Technik gefertigt, bietet er ein Höchstmaß an Sicherheit. Er ist groß und farbenfroh, verleiht ein Gefühl von Freiheit und trägt vielleicht sogar ihre Träume in neue Höhen. Er erreicht eine Höhe von 150 Metern und bietet Ihnen eine atemberaubende Sicht auf Funchal. Ein kleiner Drink während des Fluges wird bei besonderen Gelenheiten angeboten. Nach der Landung bekommen sie ein Foto und eine Urkunde, zur Anerkennung ihrer "Leistung". Sie finden uns in Avenida do Mar, nahe dem Stadtkai, wo wir Sie schon erwarten. Preise: 15 Euro für Erwachsene, 7,50 Euro pro Kind bis 12 Jahren PS: Anyone know a better translation for "city wharf"? I'm not really happy with "Stadtkai" but can't think of anything better. :/

I've been going to Madeira every Spring for some 30 years; it makes a very welcome break after the Winter here in England. I stay in Canico de Baixo (which means Lower Canico) - if you're going there I can give you more details. Most things are cheaper than UK - steak is excellent and usually served as Espetada (meat on a skewer), not to be muddled with the fish Espada (pronounce it Esh-pahdah) an evil looking piscean which is harvested from great depths and usually served with banana. Visit the fruit and veg market on Friday/Saturday for best photographs. A good Portuguese restaurant is right along the Rua de Santa Maria beside the market on the left hand side. Do try the Madeiran flat bread (I hope you like garlic - the Madeirans are pretty heavy-handed with it) which is baked with sweet potato incorporated. Have the local drink - Poncha (pronounce Pon-sha) which is local white rum, lemon juice and honey. It's better when freshly made rather than from a bottle. Local soup speciality is tomato and onion with a poached egg - makes a substantial lunch. Don't hesitate to ask for a variation in the menu - the Beer House will rustle up a good plate of sliced cold meat and cheese, the Beetles Boat will do just egg and chips instead of burger and chips, etc. If you decide to do a tour - do the West Coast if going on just one. The chair lift up to Monte (where the tobaggon ride is situated) gives good views of the harbour and visiting cruise ships - I always check the weather up in the mountain before venturing up - just look for the rain clouds and stay in Funchal! Take a jumper and pacamac if going up into the mountains. Should you want to catch a bus - ask which one in the green kiosks; they are very helpful. The taxis are bright yellow and usually Mercedes - see them lined up near McDonalds on the beach road. There is only one small sandy beach on the East Coast (Industrial area) - if you want golden sands you will have to catch the 8.0 a.m. ferry from Funchal to Porto Santo (expensive)

You can find answers on the site below

Most of the hotels in Madeira are very good.