Madeira Island Discovery

Welcome to Funchal, the vibrant capital of Madeira. After settling into your hotel, join your tour leader for a welcome meeting at 7pm. If you wish, join the group for a dinner to sample some of the fresh seafood dishes that Madeira is famous for. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

Today, we venture out of Funchal for a full-day tour of the north and northwest of the island. We'll drive to Ribeira Brava and then up into the mountains to Encumeada. From here, we'll walk along Levada Folhadal, one of Madeira's unique irrigation channels. We'll then journey down to the town of Sao Vicente on the north coast, and drive along the dramatic corniche road to the remote town of Porto Moniz. Here, we'll have the chance to swim in the natural rock pools. Finally, we'll drive back to Funchal, stopping at the Quinta Grande viewpoint for captivating sea views.

After breakfast, we'll head to the marina for a boat trip along the south coast. If we're lucky, we might spot whales or dolphins. After our boat trip, we'll return to Funchal for a walking tour. We'll start in the historic centre of Funchal's Old Town, stop at the Mercado dos Lavradores, visit the Bordal Embroidery Factory, and finish with a wine tasting at the Madeira Wine Company. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the capital at your own pace.

Today, we'll explore the eastern side of Madeira. We'll drive up to Pico do Arieiro to take in the stunning views, then continue through Laurissilva Forest to Ribeiro Frio for a walk along the levada. We'll then visit the town of Santana, known for its traditional A-framed houses, and learn how to make traditional Madeiran bread at a local bakery. After lunch, we'll head to Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point on the island. Before returning to Funchal, we'll stop for a 'poncha' tasting and learn how this traditional drink is made.

This morning, we'll drive to the Nun's Valley to visit the viewpoints at Pico dos Barcelos and Eira do Serrado, and then the Nun's Valley itself. We'll stop in Curral das Freiras, a small parish surrounded by huge mountains. After a morning of exploration, we'll relax and soak up the history at Reid's Hotel, where we'll enjoy a classic afternoon tea.

Today is a free day for you to explore Funchal or take an optional full-day excursion to the island of Porto Santo. If you choose to stay in Funchal, there are plenty of activities to choose from, including visiting Blandy's Wine Lodge, taking a cable car to Monte or the Monte Botanical Gardens, or trying out the Madeira Genuine Food Experience. If you choose to visit Porto Santo, you'll enjoy a ferry ride to the island, where you can relax on the white sand beach or visit the Columbus House Museum.

Today, we'll drive west to Madalena do Mar, where we'll walk through a banana plantation and learn about banana cultivation. We'll then continue to Ponta do Pargo, the westernmost point of the island, and visit the lighthouse. Afterward, we'll drive to Calheta to visit a sugar cane mill for a rum tasting. On our way back to Funchal, we'll visit the Ethnographic Museum and make a stop in Camara de Lobos, where we'll see a plaque and statue dedicated to Sir Winston Churchill.

Our tour ends this morning in Funchal. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel.