Madeira Discovery With Flower Festival

Itinerary

• Day 1: Madeira Island, Arrival

  Welcome to Madeira! Your driver will be expecting you at the airport when you land on this amazing island. Transfer to your hotel in Funchal by car and have the rest of the day at leisure to recover from the travel. The adventurous souls may want to discover the surroundings in their own style and enjoy the mild subtropical climate.

  • Funchal

• Day 2: Madeira Flower Festival Parade

  In the morning, travel by 4x4 jeep to Camara de Lobos, a traditional fishing village. From there, traverse the mountains and valleys via small roads, taking in the laid-back vibe of the villages and admiring gorgeous landscapes along the way. Visit Cabo Girão, one of Europe's highest cliffs offering unbeatable views from its glass-bottomed lookout.

  Lunch is on your terms. This afternoon, attend the Allegoric Parade, a definite highlight of the Madeira Flower Festival! Featuring the fragrances of blossoming flowers, hundreds of participants dressed in brightly colored costumes, and brilliantly decorated festival floats displaying the beauty of Madeira's flowers and plants, this event turns downtown Funchal into a sea of happiness and joy. After the parade, your driver will take you back to your hotel.

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  • Funchal

• Day 3: Madeira's Mountain and Coastal Views

  Leave Funchal behind for a scenic road trip to Ribeira Brava, a charming coastal town. From there, make the ascent to Encumeada Pass. At an altitude of 1007 meters, this mountain pass offers a great vantage point for you to admire Madeira's imposing peaks and deep valleys coated in luxuriant plants.

  Moving on, you'll travel to the villages of São Vicente and Seixal both located on the island's northern shores, and enjoy a delightful lunch near Porto Moniz's naturally formed outdoor pools. Weather permitting, you can take a dip in the waters to refresh and relax.

  Later, take in Paúl da Serra's gorgeous mountain views before reaching Calheta for a poncha tasting. A frothy mixture of rum, citrus juice, and honey, poncha is Madeira's signature drink, and its sweet flavor makes a perfect pairing with the island's traditional cake.

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  • Funchal

• Day 4: Chill Morning, Afternoon Catamaran Cruise

  This morning is for your own arrangements. You can stay at the hotel and enjoy its amenities or head out to explore Funchal on your own.

  An exciting catamaran trip awaits this afternoon. As the ship glides across the waters sparkling under the sun, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking views of craggy coastlines, lush vegetation, and endless blue waves. There is also the chance for a refreshing swim if the weather permits. Luckily enough, you might be able to catch a glimpse of whales and dolphins. Marine species including Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales, Spotted dolphins, and Bottlenose dolphins call the waters home.

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  • Funchal

• Day 5: Funchal Old Town and Monte Palace Tropical Garden

  Start the day at the seaside Santa Catarina Park boasting a splendid view of Funchal Bay. At the Municipal Garden, you'll encounter exotic flowers and plants and enjoy a stroll under cool shades of green. Stop at Funchal Cathedral for an exterior view and discover more landmarks in Funchal's old town, including the bustling Mercado dos Lavradores market and the Rua de Santa Maria street with doors adorned with artworks by artists and art students.

  Later, take the cable car to the village of Monte to visit the Church of Our Lady of Monte and the scenic public gardens. Next, you'll step into the magical realm of the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Madeira's premier garden home to around 100,000 plant species from all over the world, especially the centenary cycads of African and Japanese origin. Draw a perfect end to this day by heading downhill seated in a wicker basket - the famed Monte Toboggan ride!

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  • Funchal

• Day 6: Santana, Faial, and Porto da Cruz Tour

  Venture outside of Funchal toward Pico do Arieiro, Madeira's drastic, second-highest peak providing the chance to admire the island's stunning landscape. Descending to the island's northern face via Ribeiro Frio, where you can observe Madeira's endemic flora and fauna. You'll then travel through the 20-million-year-old Laurissilva forest, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to reach Santana village. Here the traditional houses featuring unique thatched roofs create a picture-perfect scene together with blooming seasonal flowers.

  Later, travel to Faial where an ancient fortress stands imposingly over the town, and the charming village of Porto da Cruz boasting dramatic views of the coastline. Heading inland, you'll visit the Portela Viewpoint and the Pico do Facho Viewpoint, each offering an unobstructed panorama of the island's lush landscape and quaint villages. On the way back to Funchal, pass under the airport runway supported by 180 concrete pillars - an engineering feat that'll have you widen your eyes in surprise.

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  • Funchal

• Day 7: Day Trip to Fajã dos Padres Organic Farm

  Discover Fajã dos Padres by yourself today. Nestled on a strip of fertile land sandwiched between the blue ocean and craggy cliffs, this organic farm hosts a luxuriant plantation, a lovely restaurant, and a pebble beach offering chances for a refreshing dip. Though it's lesser known to visitors, it's no less stunning in its beauty.

  Take the cable car down the cliff to this slice of paradise and explore at your own pace. Stroll through the plantation where mango, banana, veggies, and herbs grow and catch the fragrances in the air. Enjoy a delightful long lunch at the organic restaurant with a farm-to-table menu (own expense), savor the authentic flavors under swaying palm trees, and indulge in the sweeping ocean views. The pebble beach then offers a peaceful setting for a lazy afternoon to soak up the sun.

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  • Funchal

• Day 8: Madeira Island, Departure

  Take some time to indulge in the laid-back vibe of Madeira before heading to the airport by car. Board the flight home with lasting memories of a wonderful Madeira vacation.

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