Highlights
Stroll along Madeira’s famous Levadas, a centuries-old network of irrigation channels built to carry water from the lush north to the drier south.
Have a safari-style 4X4 adventure through the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Laurissilva forest, a subtropical rainforest unique to Madeira.
Enjoy a boat trip along the crystal-clear waters to the islands South, where the depths can reach up to 3000m. If we’re lucky, we’ll see whales and dolphins.
Take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic at the spectacular north coast rockpools next to striking black-sand beaches.
Taste the authentic flavours of the island as you watch your host prepare a traditional three-course meal, sample seasonal produce, and sip Madeira’s renowned wine.
Funchal city, Madeira Island
Overview
Tiny Madeira has it all – vineyards and volcanoes, black-sand beaches and ancient forests, remote trails and a cosmopolitan capital. Add to that its wildlife, balmy climate and mouth-watering local delicacies and it’s easy to see why this rugged, mist-clad island is known as the Pearl of the Atlantic.
Our small-group, expert-led Madeira vacation package gently guides you to the heart of this spellbinding island. Led by Dr Vickie Heaney, an artist and ornithologist, who herself lives on an island in England, you’ll explore the island’s best sights, enjoy leisurely walks, and savour authentic Madeiran flavours. Relax in a stylish boutique hotel set across five beautifully restored buildings that span 300 years of history, with views across the beautiful Bay of Funchal.
Useful details about your Madeira island vacation package:
- Start / finish: Your tour starts and finishes in Funchal, Madeira.
- Activity Level: The activity level is rated as Leisurely to Moderate, requiring an average level of fitness (view our activity level definitions). The tour will involve walking in generally easy terrain, but will require good walking boots (please note, some paths may be uneven and loose underfoot). Walks are mostly 1 to 5km (0.8-3 miles) long, with longer hikes for those who choose them. This tour also involves boarding a passenger boat.
- Transport: Transport will be by 4×4 jeeps, minibus, and passenger boat.
- Weather: Average temperatures on Madeira range from lows of 10°C (50°F) to highs of 19°C (64°F) in March), with an average of 5-7 hours of sunshine in spring. Thanks to its mild, subtropical climate, there isn’t really a best time of year to visit Madeira; rain and sunshine are possible at any times, and temperatures are relatively balmy year-round. However, we especially love visiting in autumn and spring, when the weather is warm and sunny and the summer crowds have thinned out.
- Accommodation: Our boutique hotel comprises five historically classified buildings, that lead guests on a journey through three centuries in the heart of a historic zone overlooking the Bay of Funchal.
If walking is an issue, alternative arrangements can be made during the scheduled walks, so please let GeoCultura know in advance.