PROGRAM:
Day 1
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - FUNCHAL
Arrival at Funchal Airport. Meeting with Cordial Tours guide.
Departure to a visit of the island of Madeira, usually referred to as "The Pearl of the Atlantic" for its outstanding natural beauty.
Of volcanic origin and even temperature throughout the year, the island combines rare beauty of landscapes with the best of Portuguese culture.
Transfer to a hotel in Funchal. Check in.
Dinner and overnight in a Hotel in Funchal.
Day 2
FUNCHAL
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure toward the center of the charming city of Funchal, capital of Madeira and with a huge heritage to discover. Brief walking tour through the most important streets of the historic center. Visit the Cathedral of Funchal, dated 1514 and one of the best preserved buildings of the settlement period. Continue towards the Old Town, a small streets area where you can enjoy Madeira craft shops. Later visit of the Farmers Market, a privileged place to admire the magnificent typical flowers, tropical fruits, vegetables and fish, characteristic among many other regional products. Continuation of the visit to a typical Madeira wine cellar where you can taste the famous Madeira wine.
Afternoon free for personal activities.
Dinner and overnight in a Hotel in Funchal.
Day 3
FUNCHAL – CÂMARA DE LOBOS – CABO GIRÃO – RIBEIRA BRAVA – ENCUMEADA - PORTO MONIZ – PAÚL DA SERRA – CALHETA - FUNCHAL
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure over the south coast towards Câmara de Lobos, location of fishing traditions that has inspired some of the paintings of Winston Churchill. Along the way, possibility to admire beautiful landscapes that are mostly vineyards. Stop at Cabo Girão, the highest sea cliff in Europe, rising to a height of 589 meters. Continue to Ribeira Brava, attractive little town located by the sea. Driving through some mountains in the north, we come to the place of Encumeada, privileged location where you can observe the northern and southern parts of the island. Then passing through Chão de Louros, one of the most important areas of Laurisilva, rare tree forest and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Towards the north, cross the town of São Vicente, famous locality for its volcanic caves and head to Seixal with a magnificent view over the northern slope of the island.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Continuation of the tour with a stop in Porto Moniz, whose attraction are the natural pools next to the sea formed from lava. After visiting the northern slope of the island, arrival at Paúl da Serra, a huge plateau at 1500 meters altitude. Continuation over Fonte do Bispo and Prazeres, locations where are several prime locations next to the road from where to observe the southern part of Calheta and admire small private gardens and vegetable crops and fruits. Calheta, visit to a traditional sugar cane factory which produces sugarcane liquor. Special time to taste the typical honey cake and the famous Madeira drink Poncha, confectioned with sugarcane rum.
Return to the hotel.
Dinner and overnight in a Hotel in Funchal.
Day 4
FUNCHAL – EIRA DO SERRADO – CURRAL DAS FREIRAS – MONTE – FUNCHAL
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure from the hotel towards the belvedere of Eira do Serrado situated 1094 meters above sea level and ensuring a fantastic panoramic view of the highest peaks of the island to the village of Nun's Valley (Curral das Freiras) located at 640 meters. Free time to taste the famous chestnut cake and the typical Ginja. Then proceed to Monte, located 550m above sea level with a superb view across the city of Funchal. Visit the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte completed in 1818 in adoration of Virgem do Monte, patron saint of the island, and that includes the sarcophagus of the last emperor of Austria: Karl von Habsburg.
Then, a unique opportunity to experience one of the main attractions of Madeira: the Toboggan ride from Monte to Livramento, which fascinates thousands of people annually.
Afternoon free for personal activities.
Dinner and overnight in a Hotel in Funchal.
Day 5
FUNCHAL – CAMACHA – PICO DO ARIEIRO – RIBEIRO FRIO – SANTANA – PORTO DA CRUZ – MACHICO – FUNCHAL
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure from the hotel towards the interior of the island. Stop in the town of Camacha, where you can visit a workshop dedicated to manufacturing wicker objects with ongoing production and find beautiful work already performed. Continuation of the visit to the third highest peak on the island: Pico do Arieiro, located 1818 meters above sea level and enjoy a breathtaking view across the island. Continue to Ribeiro Frio, a privileged place for contact with nature and where is a trout hatchery between Laurel forest. Then trip from São Roque Faial to Santana, town where you can admire the typical gabled houses of Madeira.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
During the afternoon, continuation of the tour along the north coast passing through Porto da Cruz, a small village located by the impressive rocky rise "Penha d'Águia". Now downhill south to visit Machico, oldest town of the island and where first landed the Portuguese discoverers in the XV century.
Return to Funchal by the coastal zone.
Dinner and overnight in a Hotel in Funchal.
Day 6
FUNCHAL – CATAMARAN TRIP – FUNCHAL
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure from the hotel towards Funchal Marina for a unique experience: a Catamaran Trip. Sailing along the south coast to Câmara de Lobos, it is possible to enjoy a different perspective of the whole island from the sea. During the tour possibility to see dolphins and even whales along the way, and this is quite common in Madeira waters due to the great depth of the waters at only a few kilometers from the coast.
During the trip possibility\ to swim in the Atlantic Ocean (option available during the summer period). Inside the catamaran enjoy the service of the bar with food and drinks (additional charge). During the tour all passengers will benefit from the sound system, comfortable seating and bathrooms.
Return to Funchal Marina.
Afternoon free for personal activities.
In the evening, farewell dinner in typical Madeira restaurant overlooking the bay of Funchal with tasting of the famous Caco bread and grilled Madeira kebab, famous island specialties and other typical dishes are served to the sound of Madeira folk dances, characterized by their beautiful costumes and happy songs.
Day 7
FUNCHAL - COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
Transfer from the hotel to Funchal Airport with Cordial Tours guide.
Assistance at the airport during boarding formalities.
End of our services.
