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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.
You’ll have time to take in the island’s good looks as this tour whisks you round pretty seaside villages and mountain paths. You’ll start in Madalena do Mar, a fishing village, home to the island’s biggest banana plantations. You’ll walk between the banana-laden trees, before learning how they harvest them. Then, you’ll have time to explore the village of Jardim do Mar – translated as Garden of the Sea. Wander between the narrow streets and pebble beach, with the sea and jade-green mountains as your backdrop. Next, you’ll head inland to the flattest part of the island, Paúl da Serra, where, on a clear day, you can see the Atlantic from north and south. After lunch in a jungle-themed restaurant, you’ll head back, stopping at a traditional bar to sample poncha – a rum drink as sacred to the Portuguese as tea is to us Brits.
This trip will take you off the beaten track for a tour of Madeira’s lesser-known sights. The first stop is high up in the mountains, in the village of Santo da Serra. You’ll wander the Parque Do Santo Da Serra – once a family estate, it’s now a huge park with deer, horses and even a resident kangaroo. Next is a visit to Canical. Here, you’ll take a walk through the fishing village to learn about its past as the whaling capital of Portugal. You’ll stop by the popular whale museum and some of the top-rated seafood eateries. After, there’s time for a photo at the lighthouse of Ponta de São Lourenço, before heading to the final stop in Garajau. Here, the Cristo Rei statue is the main attraction, and its hilltop position opens up a cinematic view of the area.
You might be wondering how Madeira got its dramatic dark sands, and you’ll find your answer on this afternoon tour. First, you’ll take a drive through the mountains and stop for photos above Câmara de Lobos. Its picturesque bay features in various paintings, including those of Sir Winston Churchill. Then, you’ll head further north to the village of São Vicente. This place is home to some impressive underground caves. Your guide will take you into the carefully-lit caves, where you’ll be able to check out stalactites and ‘lava cakes’. After the tour, you’ll head to the visitors centre to find out more about how the caves were formed. It’s here you’ll discover how the island is made from the top of a shield volcano, grown from the floor of the Atlantic. And after, you’ll be whisked back to your hotel.
Madeira’s little-known levadas, or canals, cover a total of 1,350 miles and date back to the 16th century. On this tour, you’ll stroll along the mini-canals into the bottle-green countryside, filled with one of Europe’s oldest and biggest laurel forests. Walking at a gentle pace, there’s plenty of time to spot the banana plantations, vineyards and fruit orchards in the distance – all kept watered by the historic canal system. You’ll also stop in the small village of Santo da Serra, where you can take in the sights, sounds and smells of the bustling farmers’ market. Here, you can pick up local delicacies, from muffin-like Bolo do Caco breads to honey and cakes.
This trip isn’t short on natural beauty. You’ll spend the day sailing the less-explored southwest coastline. It might not be as well-known as the southeast’s colourful capital, but it is home to the sunniest village in Madeira. In between catching rays out on deck, you’ll have the chance to snap your sun-kissed coastal surroundings. In terms of sights, the tour’s highlight comes in the form of towering Cabo Girao – the world’s second-highest sea cliff. Plus, you’ll want to keep an eye out for wildlife as dolphins, whales and sea turtles are often spotted swimming nearby. Scenery aside, you can cool off with a dip in the see-through waters, before lunch is served back on deck. You’ll tuck into a plateful of local delicacies – washed down with some free-flowing drinks.
This day out introduces you to surfing in the place that’s been dubbed Europe’s best-kept secret when it comes to watersports. Because nothing stands in the way of the island and the swells of the North Pacific Ocean, conditions along its coast are ideal. You’ll team up with a professional instructor, who’ll teach you all the basics before you take to the waves. And, the session will be tailored to you individually – you’ll set a personal goal with your tutor, based on your ability and bravery. We can’t promise you’ll be hanging ten or tube-riding through a barrel wave, but you will come away with bragging rights, having surfed some of the best waves on the continent.