By Michael Gebicki
Copyright brisbanetimes
An autonomous region of Portugal, the four islands that make up Madeira sit off the north-west coast of Africa. These are subtropical islands, known for their mild winters, which make them a year-round destination. Along the coast, the Atlantic rollers beat against whitewashed villages and sheer cliffs, while in the centre of the main island of Madeira, volcanic peaks bolt skywards, often wreathed in mist, descending to flower-filled valleys that make this one of Europe’s most extraordinary walking destinations.
Sydney-based Utracks has an eight-day self-guided circuit walk of the eastern half of Madeira from Funchal, the capital. Accommodation is a mix of hotels and guesthouses and luggage transfers are included, so you walk with nothing more than a day pack. The walk is graded “moderate” with 3½-7 hours of walking daily. On any day you can skip the walk and ride with the baggage.
Before retirement, I travelled regularly for business and have accumulated more than two million Delta Air Lines points which I’m struggling to use. When I tried redeeming the points for a trip to Europe in 2023, I was quoted more than a million points. Any suggestions on how to best leverage my substantial balance?A. Cavendish, Melbourne, Vic
Unfortunately, Delta doesn’t publish an award chart spelling out the points required for seats. Instead, the airline uses a dynamic pricing model, which is why you might see those one million+ points horror quotes. Outside the US, Delta charges a huge number of points for its award seats, especially to Europe and in premium cabins.
A better way to use your Delta SkyMiles is with bookings on partner airlines, including Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Korean Air, which often require far fewer points. To do this, go to the Air France/KLM Flying Blue website to search availability, then use your Delta SkyMiles to book. Point Hacks has a useful guide to the Flying Blue program. The availability of award seats fluctuates wildly. Book at least nine months out, and you’re more likely to find a way to burn through your bank of SkyMiles points.
