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Madeira - The Pearl of the Atlantic

From £1,749
Duration 8 Days
Departures from: Oct 2024 - Nov 2025
Book now
From £1,749
Duration 8 Days
Departures from: Oct 2024 - Nov 2025

Tour Overview

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.
  • relaxing tour Relax & Discover
  • meals included tour All Breakfasts
  • flight choices Flight Choices

Your Holiday Includes

  • 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
  • Overseas transfers, other transportation & porterage

Included Holiday 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

Itinerary

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: D

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: B

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: B,D

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: B,L

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: B

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: B

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: B,D

Day 8 Funchal - UK

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

Meals included: B
  1. Memorable Moment

    Enjoy wine tasting served with one of Madeira’s oldest delicacies, bolo de mel de cana (honeycake).

Accommodation (as specified or similar)

Pestana Casino Park

Designed by the world-famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, Hotel Pestana Casino Park is set in beautiful landscaped gardens offering superb views, and is just a short stroll from the centre of Funchal. Hotel facilities include restaurant, bar and terrace, library, indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis court and games room. The hotel also has a casino, located a short walk away from the hotel. Hotel rooms feature private facilities, TV, air-conditioning and private balcony. If you wish to upgrade to a room with a lateral sea view for a supplement please call and our Holiday Advisors will be happy to assist.

Designed by the world-famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, Hotel Pestana Casino Park is set in beautiful landscaped gardens offering superb views, and is just a short stroll from the centre of Funchal. Hotel facilities include restaurant, bar and terrace, library, indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis court and games room. The hotel also has a casino, located a short walk away from the hotel. Hotel rooms feature private facilities, TV, air-conditioning and private balcony. If you wish to upgrade to a room with a lateral sea view for a supplement please call and our Holiday Advisors will be happy to assist.

Optional Excursions

Experience even more of your destination by adding one or more optional excursions to your holiday before you set off. Take a look below at the extra trips you can enjoy on this tour.

West coast tour

West coast tour

Discover the West side of the island in the company of a local guide today. Take in the spectacular natural scenery of Madeira as you head towards the delightful fishing village of Câmara de Lobos. Our first stop will be Cabo Girão, the second highest sea cliff in the world. We continue along the coast where we pass by the banana plantations, before enjoying the breathtaking views of the rugged north coast between São Vicente and Porto Moniz.

On arrival in Porto Moniz you’ll have a delicious lunch before seeing the town’s natural lava stone pools.

Continue to Paúl da Serra which offers beautiful views of the coast. Travelling over the Encumeada-Pass, you will have the opportunity to take some memorable photographs, whilst enjoying the splendid view of the sea along with the mountain range that crosses inland Madeira. You will pass through deep valleys full of a wide variety of fauna and flora belonging to the Laurissilva Forest, a relic of bygone ages that has been declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Full day – minimal walking – scenic
Discover the West side of the island in the company of a local guide today. Take in the spectacular natural scenery of Madeira as you head towards the delightful fishing village of...

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Whale and dolphin-spotting cruise

Whale and dolphin-spotting cruise

On today’s excursion you’ll discover the beautiful waters of Madeira and admire some of more than 20 whale and dolphin species which can be found here. You'll be transferred down to the port where you’ll have a briefing to explain about the species which can be seen and safety measures on board the boat.

Whilst this excursion is an opportunity to see these animals in their natural habitat, it is important to note that sightings cannot be guaranteed. Please also note this excursion is weather dependent. 
On today’s excursion you’ll discover the beautiful waters of Madeira and admire some of more than 20 whale and dolphin species which can be found here. You'll be transferred down t...

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Portugal - Levada walk through Paradise Valley

Portugal - Levada walk through Paradise Valley

Today we’ll discover beautiful scenery and magnificent views on a walk along the island’s water channels, known as levadas. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the emerald green Paradise Valley, also known as Levada Valle Paraiso, taking in captivating views over quaint villages including the beautiful village of Camacha. This flower lined levada trickles along underneath a canopy of eucalyptus and oak trees. Take this opportunity to immerse yourself in the abundant flora and patchwork landscape of this enchanting walk.

Please note the levada route has changed due to ground conditions.

Half day –moderate walking – picturesque
Today we’ll discover beautiful scenery and magnificent views on a walk along the island’s water channels, known as levadas. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the emerald green Paradis...

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Further Information

Average group size of our tours

Our holiday group sizes do vary from tour to tour - but we have an average group size of 26. Big or small, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to socialise with your fellow travellers. So, whether you fancy making friends at mealtimes or feel like being friendly by the pool, you’re guaranteed a great time whatever size your group is.

Deposit information

When you book a holiday, you will be asked to pay a deposit, this will be made clear at the time of booking. In most cases we will charge the following deposit amount;

  • UK Holidays - £150 per person
  • European Holidays - £200 Per person
  • Worldwide Holidays - £250 or 10% whichever is the greater

On some holidays we may charge a slightly higher deposit, to cover any costs we have to pay immediately to secure your booking with our suppliers. This will be made clear at the time of booking.

If you choose a tour that is within 84 days of departure you will need to pay the full balance when you book.

Our cancellation policy

If you decide to cancel your confirmed booking you must notify us (or your travel agent) in writing, as soon as possible. Since we incur costs in cancelling your arrangements, you will have to pay the applicable cancellation charges up to the maximum shown below.

  • More than 75 days before departure - Loss of deposit only
  • 43 - 74 days - 50% of tour price
  • 29 - 42 days - 75% of tour price
  • 15 - 28 days - 90% of tour price
  • Day of Departure - 14 days - 100% of tour price

Our full cancellation policy can be found in our booking terms and conditions, section 8.

How do I find out Entry and Health Requirements for my holiday?

We have partnered with Sherpa, an on-line self service tool that allows you to search up-to-date information regarding travel entry requirements for all countries and also allows you to apply for eVisas or eTAs via their on-line portal. Just click on this link to find out more – Travel requirement & Visa Service.

You can also refer to the Foreign Travel Advice section on the gov.uk website: Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Click on your destination and then click on 'Entry Requirements'. For Health Requirements, the Department of Health also offers travellers health advice on www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, click on country information to locate your destination.

It is important to remember that passport, visa and health requirements can change before departure; therefore, we recommend you regularly familiarise yourself with the latest requirements before you travel. If you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements, we are unable to accept any responsibility.

For some destinations, it is not always discernable that a visa is required for entry at the border.  For example, for some customers, to travel to the United States, an ESTA may be required. For Canada, an ETA and to India, an e-visa may be needed. Please do check your requirements to avoid any unnecessary cost and delays.