Monte & Magnolia

Información

You’ll find out why they call Madeira ‘The Floating Garden’ on this afternoon trip in its capital, Funchal. First up, you’ll jump on a cable car for a 15-minute ride to the mountain-top village of Monte. As you zip up in a glass pod, you can admire the views of João Gomes valley and the ink-blue Atlantic. At the top, you’ll make your way to the Monte Palace Tropical Garden. You’ll spot orchids, Scottish heather and a rare collection of palm ferns among the exotic plants and trees. There’s also the Oriental gardens and swan-sprinkled lake for wildlife-spotting. Check out the tiles dotted around – they’ve come from palaces, churches and houses throughout the former Portuguese empire. After, you’ll have the chance to pick up the pace with a toboggan ride back down the hill. It’s the traditional way to get down to Funchal, with a wicker sled and two ‘carreiros’ – or drivers – as your brakes.