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Madeira – Five Days in Paradise

Highlights

  • Jeep tour in the mountains followed by a BBQ and ‘Poncha’
  • Monte Palace Gardens and the famous wicker baskets cart
  • Enjoy time at Mercado dos Lavradores, a local farmers' market
  • Private sunset yacht tour in Funchal Bay
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What you'll do

Overview

Experience a natural paradise, endless ocean views and stunning mountain landscapes while enjoying some unique gastronomic flavours.

Right in the middle of the Atlantic, the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo are a haven of natural beauty. The exotic colours of the flowers stand out from among the blue sea and the emerald green vegetation; this is an archipelago where two thirds are a protected area and where the largest Laurissilva forest in the world is located. When landing in Madeira you can already see the different landscapes from the sky.

This break in Madeira ensures that you’ll experience what the locals would normally do on a weekend. Whether it’s a trip to the mountain, a walk in nature or a BBQ followed by the drink ‘Poncha’, you’ll go home having explored the nooks and crannies of the main city, the mountains, the local food and a private sunset yacht trip in Funchal Bay.

Arrival & transfer to Funchal

Upon arrival at Cristiano Ronaldo Airport FNC you’ll have a private transfer to Funchal (approx. 20 km). As you now have to wait for your Covid 19 test results (approx. 7-12 hours maximum), we have prepared a welcome dinner for you in your room, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. If you already have a negative test result, the dinner will be in the hotel main restaurant.

Meals included: Dinner

Full-day private guided tour

The day begins with the pick-up at your accommodation. For this tour you’ll be driven in a jeep through the island, passing by some of its beautiful points including the Laurisilva of Madeira, a UNESCO World Heritage natural site. During this time you’ll make a stop for a Levada walk in Vereda dos Balcões.

Levada is the name given to an irrigation canal or aqueduct flanked by a pedestrian path, specific to the island of Madeira, Portugal. They are also channelled to the usually smaller canals that carry water to the water mills.  Your lunch will be served in the mountain restaurant, renowned for its beef  skewer, a  traditional dish of the Madeira archipelago in Portugal. It is made with diced beef and skewered with a laurel stick before grilling. The origin of this delicacy dates back to the village of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos.

During the afternoon you will be driven to Calheta Milling Company for a tour and a full explanation about the sugar cane and the production of sugar, as well as a visit to a brandy producer with a workshop and tasting of the famous “Poncha”. Making your way back to Funchal, we’ll stop at Câmara de Lobos, a fishermen’s village, on our way back.

This evening is free for you to explore your surroundings.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Funchal & Monte Palace Gardens

The day begins with the pick-up at your accommodation. For your second full day in Madeira you will start by visiting the noble area of Funchal on the way to the cable car. This area gathers many of Madeira’s highlights (the City Hall, the Cathedral, João Gonçalves Zarco Statue – the discoverer of Madeira – and where you may see, know more and buy some of Madeira’s well-known embroideries. It’s then a short trip in a cable car to Monte Palace Gardens. Monte Palace Madeira occupies an area of 70,000 square meters and houses a huge exotic plants’ collection, coming from all over the world, together with swans and ducks populating the central lake, peacocks and chickens that roam freely in the main areas of the property.

After this visit it’s time to make the descent. And nothing better than doing it in the famous Madeiran “baskets carts”! You will find in Madeira, more precisely in Monte, a very sui generis type of transport, the “basket cart”, which is a unique experience not to be missed. The famous “basket carts” are one of Madeira’s best known attractions. These cars are handcrafted with wicker and wood and have two seats. They are driven and controlled by two white-clad, straw-hatted wagons that expertly use their own boots, with thick rubber soles as brakes. By the time you stop after the basket cart experience, a private transfer will take you to Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers’ Market). Here you’ll enjoy some of the locals atmosphere at the market. We’ll then take you back to your accommodation.

Your evening is free for exploring.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Free day & sunset yacht trip

After a few culturally rich days you’ll have a free day to explore at your own leisure, whether it’s in the city or a day at the beach, or simply enjoying your hotel. Later in the afternoon, we have a boat trip organised for you, so that you can watch the sunset over the magnificent Funchal bay. This is a private tour and includes snacks and wine. After all, this is your last experience in Madeira with us and we want it to be special.

Please note that the meeting and end point for the sunset tour is at the Marina, just 5 minutes from your hotel.

In the evening, why not enjoy your free time with dinner and a stroll in the city.

Meals included: Breakfast

Departure day

We hope that you enjoyed your time in Madeira. We’ll organise a transfer from your accommodation to the airport.

What's included

Included

  • 4 nights in a comfortable boutique hotel
  • All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Local guide throughout
  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Private Jeep tour of the Island and meeting local producers
  • Basket cart experience
  • Sunset yacht trip with snacks and wine
Your local host

Pedro Urgel

Born and raised in the delightful city of Porto, apart from a two year stint living in Scotland in my younger days, I have lived in Portugal all my life. When I was around 35, myself and a couple of my travelling friends (one of which is my brother), decided to set up our company. We set out scouting Portugal, visiting the places no one visits, meeting people, exploring landscapes discovering all these authentic towns. We know the country like the back of our hands, so when you go on one of our experiences you get an experts insight and learn so much more than you would visiting alone.

Born and raised in the delightful city of Porto, apart from a two year stint living in Scotland in my younger days, I have lived in Portugal all my life. When I was around 35, myself and a couple of my travelling friends (one of which is my brother), decided to set up our company. We set out scouting Portugal, visiting the places no one visits, meeting people, exploring landscapes discovering all these authentic towns. We know the country like the back of our hands, so when you go on one of our experiences you get an experts insight and learn so much more than you would visiting alone.

Pedro Urgel image
Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

Learn More

Location

Renowned for its walking, wine and beauty, the volcanic island of Madeira sits in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and boasts a pleasantly mild climate year round.

Getting there

Please note that prices for the holidays do not include flights. We recommend using www.skyscanner.net to check flights.

Nearest Airport

Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport FNC (approx. 20 km to funchal).

Airport transfers:

Private transfers (included) can be arranged to and from the airport.

By car:

If you are planning to hire a car and drive there, the full address and directions will be given to you upon booking.

What our travellers are saying...

I would be hard pressed to say which part of our trip was best. Our itinerary was perfect, our guides were wonderful, and our accommodations were like a dream. Nuno and his team could not do enough to make us feel welcome. We loved every minute we spent in Portugal. The worst part of our trip was saying good bye. I would highly recommend!

Larry Goldfarb

FAQs

What about COVID-19?

For Madeira, at the time of writing you either need a negative Covid test result from the last 72 hours, or you can be tested at the airport when you arrive, but must wait at your hotel until you get your test results (usually 7-12 hours).

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