Sightseeing Tours of Madeira Island
FUNCHAL and BOTANICAL GARDENS (Half Day)
This introduction to the city starts at “Mercado dos Lavradores”,
where ladies dressed in typical costumes sell the exotic flowers
produced on the island. On the basement the smell of fresh fish
attracts clients to see the ‘catch of the day’ , where the
“espada” - black scabbard fish is the most popular.
The second stop is at the lace factory where one of the most famous handicraft in the world is made. Madeira embroidery are
still today used in palaces and noble houses all over the world.
The stop at the Botanical garden is probably the highlight of this
tour . Endemic flowers to the island as well as brought from all
over the world turn the landscape into a palette of a painter.
Last but not least, a visit to one of our wine lodges will delight
our guests with the different kinds of Madeira wine. From the
driest to the sweetest all turn common occasion into a special
one.
This half day excursion leads to Pico dos Barcelos at 1100 ft
above the sea level, from where one can get a fantastic
view over the town, bay and surrounding hills. A twisted
road, bordered with eucalyptus reaches Eira do Serrado
(lookout point) overlooking ”Curral das Freiras”, peculiar
village built in a deep valley, taken for centuries as the
crater of an ancient volcano.
Last stop is at Monte, village well known for its church
where lies the Emperor Charles I of Austria. From here the
most adventurous can take the famous toboggan ride
(optional). At the end the all group will be taken back to
the hotel..
Leaving Funchal along the Estrada Monumental we reach
CÂMARA DE LOBOS (where Sir Winston Churchill spent
some time painting during his stay in Madeira) and CABO
GIRÃO, which is the world’s second highest sea cliff,
stopping again at RIBEIRA BRAVA by the sea border. From
next village we go up through ancient agricultural land to
PAUL DA SERRA continuing to PORTO MONIZ where we
have another stop near by the natural swimming pools.
Driving along the extravagant western coast we stop at
SÃO VICENTE for lunch. After lunch we cut into the island
and pass by CHÃO DOS LOUROS surrounded by part of
the LAURISSILVA FOREST, which is unique in the world,
we reach ENCUMEADA, where both sides of the island can
be seen. Return to FUNCHAL by SERRA D’ÁGUA village
This full day excursion takes the group to the village of‘Camacha’, the wicker work center on the island. Guests
will be able to see how the handicraft work of making
baskets and waving willow furniture, is still an artwork.
‘Camacha’ is also proud to be the place where football was
played for the first time in Portugal in 1875.
Driving up the mountain we reach ‘Pico do Arieiro’, the
second highest mountain from the island (1810m) . A
walk of about 5 hours between the sky and the clouds
leads hikers to ‘Pico Ruivo’, the highest mountain (1860m).
‘Ribeiro frio’ will be the next stop. In the heart of
‘Laurissilva’ forest a gorgeous garden surrounds the trout
hatchery.
Finally we arrive at Santana probably the most typical
village on the island, where still today some of the peculiar
thatching roof houses can be found.
On the way to Funchal short stop at ’Portela, lookout
point, one of the most beautiful sceneries of Madeira from
where one will get the impression to be envolved in a
postcard where a mountain ‘Penha d’Águia’ divides two
villages.
The last stop is at ‘Machico’, town built between the
mountain and the sea, actually the ‘birth’ of the island.
Place where for the first time arrived the Portuguese
sailors in 1419
Departure to a typical restaurant where dinner will be served (truly Madeira style "Espetada") while typical dances and singing can be appreciated. After dinner, a short sto at the Pico dos Barcelos belvedere from where the city of Funchal at Night can be admired.