Upgraded - Madeira Island Discovery

Our trip begins today in Funchal, Madeira's charming capital, and our base for the next week. Funchal takes its name from 'funcho', meaning fennel, and according to local legend, when Zarco landed here in 1419, he named this spot after the abundance of the herb he found. Visiting sailors also used to call the city 'Little Lisbon' thanks to the grandeur of its cathedral and the pretty buildings that line its harbour. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting, and for those who wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Funchal at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into FNC airport, which is around a 20-minute drive from our hotel. As part of our Upgraded range, we also offer a complimentary transfer to those who have made pre-tour accommodation arrangements through Explore, regardless of your arrival day. Tonight, you might like to try one of the fresh seafood dishes that Madeira is known for, such as tuna with fried maize or black scabbard with fried banana. For dessert, why not sample local passionfruit pudding?

Today, we venture to the island's rugged north coast, starting with the charming town of Porto Moniz. Here you'll get to take a dip in the natural volcanic pools - formed centuries ago by cooling lava and constantly refreshed by the ocean. It's a truly unique swimming experience. After our swim, we continue to Seixal, a postcard-perfect village nestled between lush cliffs and the sea. Here, we're welcomed into a local family's home, where our culinary journey begins with a tasting of their own wine production. This is followed by a homemade three-course lunch - a wonderful opportunity to experience genuine Madeiran hospitality in an intimate setting. On our scenic drive back to Funchal, we'll stop at the fishing town of Camara de Lobos for a short walking tour. This colourful town inspired Winston Churchill, who spent time here painting its peaceful harbour scenes.

This morning, we'll discover Funchal, the capital, on a walking tour with our tour leader. Starting with the Bordal Embroidery Factory, which produces some of the finest traditional embroidery and tapestries on the island. We'll also visit Funchal Cathedral, stop by Fabrica Santo Antonio, the oldest biscuit factory of the island. Next, we'll head to the historic Old Town, where we'll find plenty of local restaurants and bars, as well as a permanent outdoor art gallery displaying over 200 works of art by guest artists. We'll admire the colonial architecture outside Santiago Fort, the Regional Government Palace, and the fort and palace of Sao Lourenco. Our walking tour will finish at the Mercado dos Lavradores - a fascinating fruit market where you can find every fruit and vegetable imaginable. This afternoon, we'll walk to the marina and board a boat for a trip along the south coast. As if Madeira's unparalleled island landscapes weren't enough, the crystal-clear waters of the archipelago offer even more beauty. The sea, which in some areas reaches depths of 3,000 metres/9,842 feet, is home to a rich variety of creatures and, if we're lucky, we might spot whales or dolphins. Please note that, in the event of poor weather, it might be necessary to cancel the boat trip or change the day of operation.

Each part of Madeira has its own distinct character, and today we'll explore the eastern side of the island. Our day begins at Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of Madeira, where the lush greenery gives way to windswept cliffs and volcanic rock formations. We'll pause at the Miradouro do Caniçal viewpoint to take in sweeping views of the coastline and learn a little about the island's fascinating geological origins. Next, we'll get a taste of traditional Madeira with a visit to Santana, home to the island's iconic A-frame houses with their brightly painted façades and thatched roofs. We'll stop at a local bakery to discover how traditional Madeiran bread is made. An experience that offers insight into the island's culinary heritage. After lunch, we'll drive through the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Madeira's most treasured natural wonders. This ancient subtropical forest is a rare ecosystem, home to a rich variety of endemic plants and birds, and it covers much of the island's mountainous interior. We'll stop at Ribeiro Frio for a gentle walk along one of these levadas, narrow irrigation channels that crisscross the island and now serve as peaceful walking paths. The trail offers a chance to admire the unspoilt nature of this hilly region, with views of deep valleys and dense forest. Our final stop is Pico do Arieiro, the island's third-highest peak at 1,810 metres (5,938 feet). From here, we'll take in panoramic views of rolling green hills, jagged mountain ridges, and, on a clear day, even glimpses of the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. Walk complete, we'll return to Funchal for a well-earned rest.

Today starts with a short drive to Camacha, where we take a 3-kilometre/1.8-mile walk along the Levada Vale Paraiso and will take around 1 hour. This flat terrain trail offers beautiful natural landscapes with lush vegetation and a chance to see the island's diverse flora and fauna. After this morning's walk, we'll try the famous Poncha, a is a traditional alcoholic beverage from Madeira, known for its strong, sweet, and citrusy flavour. We'll then take a short drive to another fabulous viewpoint, Cristo Rei. The viewpoint is named after the Christ the King Statue, which stands at an impressive 15 metres/49 feet tall and was inaugurated in 1927 to commemorate the area's turbulent past. After this morning's walk, we'll be free for the rest of the day. Why not take a stroll around the city or relax and make use of the hotel's swimming pool?

Today has been left free for you to explore solo or take part in an optional activity. You can spend the day exploring Funchal at your own pace or choose a full-day ferry trip to the island of Porto Santo, known for its beautiful beach and the Columbus House Museum. If you'd prefer to stay nearby, there are great swimming spots like the Lido Bathing Complex and Formosa Beach, or you could visit Blandy's Wine Lodge for a tasting and a look into the history of Madeiran wine. For something more active, there's a full-day moderate walk around the lakes of Madeira (13 kilometres/8 miles), or a shorter, easier half-day walk from Referta to Castelejo (6.5 kilometres/4 miles), both with transfers and a local guide. Alternatively, you might take the cable car to Monte and visit the Botanical Gardens, with the option to return by a traditional wicker toboggan ride down to Funchal. To experience more of the island's cuisine, you can pre-book the Madeira Genuine Food Experience, which includes a three-course meal, drinks, a visit to local plantations, and a tasting of a traditional digestif.

This morning, we'll reach Ponta do Pargo on the westernmost point of the island - an area less visited by tourists and defined by its dramatic cliffs where the escarpment falls into the sea. The lighthouse here, towering 290 metres/951 feet above the sea, perfects the atmospheric landscape. Most of the inhabitants of the charming village of Ponta do Pargo work in agriculture in the surrounding fields. After our visit, we'll drive to Calheta to visit a sugar cane mill for a rum and honey cake tasting. We'll learn about the importance of sugar cane cultivation, or 'white gold', and the production of local rum. Continuing to Ribeira Brava, we'll stop at Faja dos Padres, a secluded farm by the sea, accessible via a cable car that offers stunning views. After a short cable car ride, we'll have a guided tour of the farm, followed by a fruit tasting. At Faja dos Padres, a myriad of exotic fruits and vegetables such as banana, mango, and avocado trees grow all year round due to the soil fertility and the microclimate. We'll have time to relax on the desert beach and swim before returning to Funchal at the end of the day.

Our tour ends this morning at our hotel in Funchal. There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to depart from Funchal at any time. A transfer to is included to Madeira airport (FNC) from the Castanheiro hotel on all trips in our Upgraded range regardless of your departure day, provided we receive your flight details no later than 14 days prior to your tour departing. If your flight departs later in the day our hotel provides convenient luggage storage facilities.