Madeira: The Pearl of the Atlantic

Madeira - The Pearl of the Atlantic

Madeira is a gem of a destination, affectionately known as the Pearl of the Atlantic. Discover the delightful capital Funchal and admire breathtaking scenery as you explore the mountains, valleys, villages and coasts that make up this delightful island.

What's Included:

• Just You Holiday Director as your host & Specialist Local Guide
• Return flights from London
• 7 nights in a superbly located hotel
• A guaranteed twin or double room of your own
• 11 included meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners including a welcome drink & farewell drink
• Selection of excursions
• Overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage

Highlights:

• Funchal city tour including the Botanical Gardens & a Madeira Wine lodge
• East of the island tour
• Lunch in the village of Santana
• Monte & Eira do Serrado

Day 1: UK - Funchal

Today, you fly to Funchal and transfer to our hotel on arrival. Get to know your travelling companions better when we meet for a welcome drink this evening.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2: Funchal

Today we'll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Funchal. We'll begin by visiting a busy market, where you'll have time to browse the colourful stalls selling flowers, fruit, vegetables and fish. Next, we'll head just outside Funchal to the Botanical Gardens and admire more than 2,000 different plants split into distinct areas. After leaving the Botanical Gardens, we'll visit an embroidery shop before calling at a Madeira wine lodge. Here, we will enjoy a tasting of four important Madeira wine castes, Malvazia, Verdelho, Boal and Sercial, accompanied by one of Madeira’s oldest delicacies, bolo de mel de cana, a delicious cake full of spice, sugar, honey and nuts.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: Funchal - at Leisure

Today is free for you to enjoy at your leisure, or perhaps you'll join our optional levada walk. There's a whole network of levadas – water channels – on the island, which provide a spectacular array of walking paths. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the emerald-green Paradise Valley, with captivating views of pretty villages, and enjoy the abundant flora and patchwork landscape. Please ensure you bring suitable walking attire for this day.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 4: East Island Tour

Today we head up the hills of the island to admire spectacular views from Pico do Arieiro, the thirdhighest peak on the island, before calling at the trout hatchery in Ribeiro Frio. We’ll enjoy lunch at Santana, a pretty village where you will be able to see the unique, thatched triangular houses, typical of the region. After lunch we’ll make our way back to Funchal along the stunning north coast. The view from Portela is simply breathtaking and we’ll also pass Machico, the island’s first capital.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 5: Eira do Serrado & Monte

After breakfast this morning we'll visit Pico dos Barcelos, a viewpoint offering spectacular views of Funchal. We'll then wind our way up the mountain to Eira do Serrado, a stunningly beautiful place surrounded by mountains and overlooking the remote village of Curral das Freiras, or Nuns Valley. From here, our journey continues to the delightful hamlet of Monte, home to the beautiful Church of Our Lady of Monte and the tranquil Parque Municipal do Monte.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Funchal - at Leisure

Enjoy another day at leisure or join our optional tour of Madeira's west coast. We’ll see the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos and head to Cabo Girao. This is the second-highest sea cliff in the world, and we’ll take in thrilling views from a suspended glass platform known as the skywalk. We’ll also visit Porto Moniz, then continue to Paúl da Serra, before descending into the Laurisilva Forest valleys.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Funchal - at Leisure

Spend the day at leisure, or why not join an optional whale and dolphin-spotting cruise. This evening we’ll gather together for farewell drinks.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Day 8: Funchal - UK

After breakfast we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK.

Meals included: Breakfast