Fodor's Expert Review Teleférico da Madeira

The sleek, Austrian-engineered cable car service travels from Funchal's waterfront up to Monte at 1,804 feet above sea level. The trip takes 15 minutes each way, and there are great views to enjoy as you float silently up and over the city's white-washed houses. The orange roofs form a patchwork from above, complemented by swooping birds of prey, scampering mountain goats, and new blooms on the trees. A great option is to ride the cable car up, then take one of the renowned snowless "basket toboggans" part of the way back down.