An island of verticality and microclimates, Madeira is for those who want their senses amplified by nature’s drama. The hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo traverses ridges above the clouds, where the air thins and the views feel lunar. It’s a challenging trek, best suited for sober preparation or the gentle lift of cannabis—rewarding effort with perspective.

Below, the Fanal Forest’s ancient laurel trees twist through fog, their shapes shifting like living sculptures. Afterward, the Natural Pools of Porto Moniz, volcanic basins filled by the tide, offer a place to cool your feet and recalibrate. Madeira reminds us that set and setting aren’t just about comfort; sometimes, they’re about letting the raw power of a place humble you.