“Bem-vindo ao Funchal!” Welcome to Funchal!

We will be staying in Funchal to give you all the freedom you need to relax and explore as much as you want during your free time. For those arriving on time, I will meet you in the hotel reception at 7 pm for the welcome meeting. For those who wish, there is a chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned for today, so you are free to arrive in Funchal at any time.

If you booked the airport transfer today, you’ll need to arrive at Madeira Airport (FNC), which is a 40-minute drive from the airport. If you miss the welcome meeting, I will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

We begin our day with a rejuvenating yoga class, followed by a meeting to set the tone and intentions for the start of our trip.

Next, we'll immerse ourselves in the beauty and culture of this marvelous city. We'll explore the charming streets of Funchal, discovering the rich blend of history and modern vibrancy. Our journey continues at Mercado dos Lavradores, where we can savor a delightful mix of local flavors and colors. We'll then take a stroll through the city center to uncover everything we need to know about the present and past of this "Pearl of the Atlantic."

In the afternoon, you'll have some free time to enjoy as you wish. There will be optional activities available, but since it's the first day, you might be feeling jet-lagged. Feel free to relax or explore at your own pace.

As the sun sets, we'll continue the festivities with our Welcome Dinner Party!

Today, we will have the chance to enjoy Madeira’s unique nature by hiking one of its famous levada walks.

The levadas were created as a system of channels that allowed water to be carried through the mountains, irrigating the soils and transporting it down to the city. Apart from coming into contact with some of the most incredible natural protected areas in the world, we’ll feel refreshed and renewed as we discover small villages off the beaten track along the way.

We will also fuse into nature with a picnic lunch in the mountains!

Today, we'll embark on an exciting adventure from Funchal in a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Next, we'll explore the mystical Fanal Forest, then visit Ribeira da Janela and the beautiful black sand Praia do Seixal. In Porto Moniz, you can swim in the natural volcanic pools. We'll then head to the Miradouro do Véu da Noiva for stunning waterfall views.

Lunch is included, and after we'll return to Funchal, filled with memories of Madeira's stunning landscapes and unique experiences.

Our first stop is the charming fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, followed by the breathtaking Cabo Girão cliff with its suspended glass floor lookout.

From the viewpoint of Eira do Serrado, we can have a look at the parish of Curral das Freiras and the surrounding mountains that provide a scenery of rare beauty.

The name of the parish comes from the fact that it served as a refuge for the nuns of the Santa Clara convent in Funchal. Legend has it that in 1560, the nuns took refuge in this place to escape French corsairs who invaded the island and looted Funchal. This was a safe and hard-to-reach location, as it is one of the points on the island that is not visible from the sea.

Later we head to Santana, a municipality along the northern coast of the island. This rugged settlement is known for its traditional A-frame homes. Constructed with triangular rooftops protected by straw, most of these homes are no longer lived in, but they formerly housed local farmers when the island was first settled. Today, they are a reminder of the island’s past and those who helped shape it.

Lunch is included in a restaurant in Santana, in a typical “quinta” where they make their own bread and have the best views to the island.

In the afternoon we return to Funchal and will have a Poncha workshop. Poncha is a must once in Madeira, a popular drink among locals and tourists alike, often enjoyed in traditional taverns called "tabernas." The drink is said to have medicinal properties, commonly believed to help with colds due to its high vitamin C content from the citrus fruits.

Ponta de São Lourenço, also known as Mars on Earth, is the easternmost point of Madeira Island and part of the Madeira Natural Park. The reserve aims to preserve the fauna, flora, and geological heritage of the area.

The scenery is arid and treeless (Mars style), with only a few flowers growing on the sheltered slopes. The fauna of this area includes birds, insects, and wild rabbits. Given the characteristics of the coast, with a large number of caves on the inner beaches, the necessary conditions for the presence of the monk seal are met.

After an alien morning and a picnic with the best views, we will get back to Funchal.

As this is the last day of the tour, we will have some free time in the afternoon for you to relax or do whatever you wish — such as making last-minute purchases.

At the end of the day, we will meet again for a farewell dinner and sunset on a catamaran, where we will have the opportunity to dine together and, hopefully, with the company of dolphins!

"Até já" means "see you later" in Portuguese. It's our last day together on this Madeiran adventure, but it is not a goodbye. The friendships we have forged will continue, and other opportunities to meet, even if just online, are coming up!