Gardens of Madeira Tour
Holiday Highlights
Madeira's stunning Botanical Gardens in Funchal
Hill town Monte Palace Gardens
Afternoon tea at Reid's Palace Hotel
Camellias at Quinta do Palheiro
Horticulture expert Tony Russell
What's Included
INCLUDED
Return flights from London Gatwick to Funchal
Six nights’ accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the four-star Hotel Turim Santa Maria, Funchal, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
Five dinners One lunch
Afternoon tea at Reid's Palace
Full coach touring itinerary
Expert Tony Russell throughout
Tour manager throughout
NOT INCLUDED
Double room for sole use supplement - £408
Holiday insurance
Meals other than those stated Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
Porterage and gratuities
Itinerary
Day 1 to day 7
Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Funchal.
On arrival transfer by coach to the Turim Santa Maria in Funchal (approximately 30 minutes). We will have a welcome drink and brief introduction from Tony before dinner with wine at the hotel.
Day 2: Botanical Garden and Eira do Serrado
We begin our exploration of Madeira with a visit to the Botanical Gardens, which boasts harmonious forms, contrasting colours and more than 2000 exotic plants. It is owned by the Regional Government of Madeira and also serves as a Science and Culture Centre. After some free time for lunch (at own expense) we will travel to Eira do Serrado for a fantastic viewing point overlooking the Nun's Valley and a small village which is nestled between the mountains. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Quinta do Palheiro Gardens, Jardins do Lago and afternoon tea at Reid's Palace Hotel
We depart this morning on a visit to the Quinta do Palheiro (formally known as Blandy Gardens). Established over several generations, the gardens are most famous for their camellias, though there is something for everyone with green fingers, including a wonderful range of agapanthus and arum and belladonna lilies in season. We will also visit Jardins do Lago with its lush gardens offering more than 500 different species of plants which are unique in variety and beauty. Free time for a small lunch (at own expense) before an afternoon visit to the world famous Reid’s Palace hotel for afternoon tea with a visit to their beautiful gardens overlooking the Atlantic. Evening at leisure
Day 4: Half day Funchal city centre, Municipal Gardens and Quinta Vigia
A relaxing half day tour today, beginning with a visit to the local market, the Mercado dos Lavradores. This will be followed by visiting Quinta Vigia, a small garden which is part of the Presidential Palace, and the neighbouring Santa Catarina Park, set in a natural amphitheatre. Return to the hotel for afternoon at leisure. Dinner at hotel.
Day 5: Full day to Ribeiro Frio, ‘Levada dos balcoes,’ Quinta do Furao, and Cristo Rei Viewpoint
A full day tour of the island displays the wonderful variety of scenery this destination has to offer. We start this morning with a tour of the east of the island to visit Ribeiro Frio and a walk on “levada dos balcões” (approx. 3km). The “levadas” are small man made irrigation canals which double up as gentle footpaths for walkers to enjoy the natural beauty of the island. We then move on to Quinta do Furao and see how the locals produce ‘Pao de Santana’ with a tasting, visit a Madeiran vineyard for tour and wine tasting, followed by lunch and drinks. We will have some free time in Santana before returning via the Cristo Rei Viewpoint for views over Funchal. Dinner at typical Madeiran restaurant with wine included.
Day 6: Full day Monte Palace Tropical Gardens and Funchal
This morning we take the 10-minute cable car ride from the centre of Funchal to the fashionable hill town of Monte, which offers splendid views over the harbour and the bay. We will visit the glorious Monte Palace Gardens which surround the chateaulike Palace before free time for lunch and independent exploration of the island’s capital, Funchal. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Transfer to Funchal Airport for return flight to Gatwick.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions, weather and tour manager's discretion. Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 30 passengers.
Tour Grading: This tour has been graded as moderate due to the amount of walking and standing involved at the gardens we visit. The 3km walk on Day 5 is mostly flat but the path may be uneven in places, and if there has been recent rainfall some parts may be muddy. The trail is 1.5km out to the viewpoint, then back to the starting point.
Turim Santa Maria, Funchal
The four-star Turim Santa Maria Hotel is ideally situated and located a short walk to the centre of Funchal. The hotel offers a bar, restaurant, terrace and rooftop swimming pool. Bedrooms are modern and comfortable with en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, air-conditioning, minibar and hairdryer.
Your expert
Discover the Gardens of Madeira with expert Tony Russell:
Tony Russell’s career with plants and gardens began in 1978 when he joined the Forestry Commission in Snowdonia. After studying forestry and horticulture and after qualifying in 1983 he took up post as Forester for the New Forest in Hampshire. In 1989 he was appointed Head Forester of Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire, one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the temperate world. Tony left Westonbirt in 2003 and is now widely regarded as one of Britain’s leading authorities on trees and shrubs. Over the past fifteen years he has presented many gardening, horticultural and countryside programmes for both TV and radio. He is also the author of eighteen books and the editor of the annual publication ‘Great Gardens to Visit’ and horticultural editor of Discover Britain’s Gardens magazine.