Our family adventure kicks off in Funchal, the vibrant capital of Madeira known for its cultural heritage and natural beauty. 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 that 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 Madeira International Airport (FNC), which is a 25-minute drive from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Tour Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. We'll be based at the 4-star Hotel Muthu Raga, about 2km from the centre of Funchal and with easy access to the lido and Atlantic Ocean. The hotel has a range of facilities including an outdoor pool (open April to October), games room, bar and restaurant and is a great place to relax after a day of adventure.

Madeira offers some fantastic walks with memorable views of the island's rugged landscape, lush forests and dramatic cliffs. We walk the Vereda Balcoes, a popular trail known for its great views over the surrounding valleys and the highest peak, Pico Ruivo. Starting from Ribeiro Frio just outside Funchal, we'll walk for approximately 2 hours on well-maintained trails, often alongside the Levada da Serra do Faial, a traditional irrigation channel, with only a moderate elevation gain. Along the way we'll be treated to panoramic vistas of the UNESCO-listed laurissilva forest, the imposing bluffs and the vast Atlantic Ocean. At the end of our walk we'll visit Santana, a charming village famous for its traditional triangular-roofed houses, a distinctive feature of Madeiran architecture. Santana offers a fascinating glimpse into local culture. We then transfer back to our hotel, with time to relax before dinner. On our Christmas departure we'll then transfer a short distance to the Christmas market in Funchal. The market showcases local crafts, delicacies, and vibrant flowers, and a 'village' is set up in the Town Hall square featuring wooden houses, a Christmas train, and Santa's sleigh for younger children.

For our first day in Funchal we'll start with a peaceful stroll through the Santa Catarina Botanical Garden, home to exotic plants from around the world as well as various parrot species such as cockatoos and macaws. We then visit the historic Joao Goncalves Zarco Square and the majestic cathedral. Having built up an appetite on our stroll we'll try the famous pasteis da Nata (custard tarts) and indulge in cookies and biscuits at a traditional local store and factory. The taste tour isn't over however, the local market awaits with a blind fruit tasting challenge, before a leisurely walk along Funchal's oldest street leads us to a delicious bolo do caco (sweet flatbread) tasting. To top it all off, we'll take a cable car ride to Monte and experience a ride on a unique 'toboggan' back down to Funchal. The toboggan ride starts at the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church in Monte and takes you on an exhilarating two-kilometre descent to Livramento, just below Funchal. The iconic toboggans are two-seater wicker sledges, guided by two carreiros (toboggan men) dressed in traditional white outfits. They skillfully steer and brake the sledges using their rubber-soled boots, reaching speeds of up to 48 km/hour!

A jeep tour is a fantastic way to discover more of the island, and today we set off for the west side of Madeira. We'll kick off our journey in Ribeira Brava, a charming town known for its colourful houses and scenic harbour. From there, we head off-road to the picturesque Ponta de Sol, famous for its beautiful beach and relaxed atmosphere, before making our way to Paul da Serra, the largest plateau on Madeira, offering fabulous views and a chance to see the island's unique flora and fauna. Our next stop is the impressive Ribeira da Janela Viewpoint, providing sweeping vistas of the north coast with its dramatic cliffs and the blue Atlantic Ocean. Continuing on, we reach Porto Moniz on the island's north coast, where we'll take a refreshing swim in the natural volcanic pools of crystal-clear waters. Then, it's off to Seixal Beach, a serene black sand beach. Our adventure concludes with a visit to Sao Vicente, a village known for its vineyards and the famous Vu da Noiva waterfall, whose name means 'bride's veil' in Portuguese, in reference to its fine sheet of water. Along the way, we'll enjoy a delightful picnic featuring 'prego no bolo do caco', a traditional Madeiran dish of sweet flatbread and a small steak. The steak is often accompanied by ingredients like ham, cheese, salad, and eggs with homemade potato crisps. For those preferring a vegan option, there's a delicious sandwich with olive and almond spread, fresh mushrooms, zucchini, lettuce, tomato, and homemade potato chips. Juice or water are available along with a fresh fruit salad.

This morning we set sail on a three-hour catamaran cruise to discover Madeira's rich marine life. Depending on the season, we may encounter bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins and perhaps sperm whales. We should be back at the hotel in the early afternoon, with time to walk down to the lido, try the hotel games room or perhaps take a wander into Funchal's Old Town and explore the narrow streets and traditional shops. Christmas Departure: Tonight, we experience the market night at the Farmers' Market in Funchal. Join the locals as they shop for Christmas essentials like fruit, vegetables, mistletoe, and wheat pots. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and listen to carol singing in the fish market square. For the parents there's delicious homemade liquors, and the whole family can tuck in to traditional sandwiches of 'carne de vinha d'alhos' (pork cubes in wine and garlic).

Embark on a day of adventure or relaxation during your free day in Madeira. Football fans can visit the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, dedicated to the world-renowned Madeira native, or perhaps head over to Porto Moniz to try the volcanically heated natural pools. Whether you prefer a leisurely day by the pool or an adventure, there are plenty of options.

We travel to Ponta do Sol and visit the BAM banana plantation and museum and enjoy a variety of banana tastings, including a fresh banana, crispy banana chips, and sweet dried banana. There's the chance to try a creamy banana smoothie. For the adults, there's also a sample of the banana beer or banana liqueur for a true taste of Madeira.

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. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Madeira International Airport (FNC), which is a 25-minute drive from our hotel.