Page 53 - European-Tours-23-24

Wonders of Madeira

8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS

Day 1: Arrival in Funchal (-/-/D) – decorative tiles). Continue your tour to the monastery of Santa Clara. The nuns who
Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel with assistance. Dinner and over- gave their name to the village of Curral das Freiras, in the heart of the island, originate
night in Funchal. from here. A very beautiful monastery that has assumed numerous roles during its
history and which, nowadays, has been transformed into a primary school.
Day 2: Funchal (B/L/D)
After breakfast, information meeting at hotel. Remainder of the day is free. Lunch Day 7: Free day (B/-/D)
at the hotel. Optional: Discover the Botanic Gardens, a garden for tropical birds and Free day. Optional: Guided walking tour along the Levada (irrigation canal), OR jeep
the garden of Quinta do Lago with its huge variety of native flora and fauna. Folkloric excursion to the interior of the island. Dinner and overnight in Funchal.
dinner highlighting regional specialities accompanied by wine. Overnight in Funchal.
Day 8: Departure
Day 3: Tour of the East – Monte (B/L/D) Transfer to Funchal airport
Depart from Funchal towards the east of the island to reach the tip of Sao Lourenco
offering an unforgettable panorama. Continue to the north-east coast with an initial Our prices include:
stop at Porto da Cruz, a very pleasant little coastal village. Then, discover the village • Deluxe motor coach throughout as per itinerary
of Santana, famous for its little houses with thatched roofs, built between flowers, • English-speaking tour escort
vineyards and apple trees. Lunch in Faial, where you can see the impressive work • Accommodation in 4 hotel in double / twin room
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of the local Madeirans with their steep, terraced cultivations. Continue to the interior • 7 nights with half board in Funchal
of the island, more precisely to Ribeiro Frio, to see its trout farming and its luxurious • 5 lunches
vegetation. Then, on to Pico do Arieiro at 1810 m, via the Poiso pass at 1400 m. • Guided visit: Funchal (approx. 3h30)
After this mountain discovery, we are on to the remote village of Monte. Dinner and • Admission to the following sights:
overnight in Funchal. ∙ Monte: Church and Tomb of Charles I.
∙ Funchal: Embroidery factory Patricio & Gouveia, Se cathedral, wine cellar
Day 4: Traditional Funchal (B/L/D) ∙ Pereira d’Oliveira with wine tasting, museum Quinta da Cruzes or museum
This morning will be dedicated to the city of Funchal, the capital of the island. Visit to Frederico de Freitas, monastery Santa Clara
the market “Mercado dos Lavradores“, where you have the chance to discover incre- ∙ Ribeira Brava: Church
dible displays of vegetables and exotic fruits, beautifully arranged around the central ∙ Madalena do Mar: Banana plantation
patio. Take the chance to taste the four different types of Madeiran wine (Malvoisie, • Porterage at hotels in / out
Boal, Sercial, Verdelho) and then enjoy some shopping. Lunch. Free afternoon. Optio- • All taxes and charge
nal: Join a maritime excursion. Dinner and and overnight in Funchal.

Day 5: Tour of the West (B/L/D)
Depart towards Quinta Grande and all the little villages with terrace cultivations. Con-
tinue your discovery via Ribeira Brava, before you go on to Ponta do Sol and Madalena
do Mar, where you will visit a banana plantation. Then we drive further towards the
plateau of Paul da Serra, the only flat area of the island at 1400 metres. Here you
can find a nature reserve listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. Then,
continue to see the village of Porto Moniz and its famous natural pools carved into
the lava. From there, you will follow a section of the oldest and most beautiful of the
island’s roads: the Corniche coastal road, narrow, carved into the rock and steeply PACKAGE PRICE PP
overlooking the sea. This magnificent road will lead you to the little village of Sao IN DOUBLE ROOM FROM
Vicente, located on the north coast. Lunch by the sea and time to explore the village.
Following this, leave the coast towards the Encumeada pass at 1007 m, from where, 785 €
in clear weather, you can appreciate the two sides of the island. End your day passing
through numerous little villages and finally reaching the cliff of Cabo Girao. This is one
of the highest cliffs in Europe, reaching 610 m of altitude. From here, you have an based on 30 persons
amazing view over Funchal. Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.
Day 6: Eira do Serrado – Curral das Freiras – Camara de Lobos (B/L/D)
Depart for a mountainous landscape abundant with eucalyptus and chestnut vege-
tation. Stop at an altitude of 1094 m, at Eira do Serrado, a viewpoint dominating
the valley, at the end of which is nestled the village of Curral das Freiras (the nuns´
village). Then descend to the village of Curral das Freiras, enclosed by the volcanic
mountains and in a valley formed through erosion. This is one of the most fascinating
and memorable landscapes of the island. Then, leave the interior of the island and
head towards the coast to discover the most important fishing port of Madeira: Ca-
mara de Lobos. Relax in this charming and picturesque bay, just as Winston Churchill
did, on his first visit to Madeira. Lunch. In the afternoon, discover the museum, Quinta
das Cruzes, also called Zarco museum, where you will find numerous examples of old
constructions, a little orchid plantation, an impressive furniture collection, porcelain,
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ceramics and silver pieces from the 15 , 16 and 18 centuries OR try the famous
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museum Frederico de Freitas, based in the former residence of this lawyer and great
collector. This place conceals some real treasures (magnificent exhibition of ’azulejos’
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