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Madeira | Hidden Gem of the Atlantic-Private Luxury Tour

Madeira | The Hidden Gem of the Atlantic-Private Luxury Tour

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8 days from

$5718

Madeira is a hidden Atlantic gem where spring-like weather lasts all year. Explore the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest, dramatic coastal cliffs, and scenic hiking trails, or relax with garden strolls, wine tastings, and breathtaking ocean views. With fresh local cuisine and endless outdoor adventures, Madeira offers the perfect blend of nature, flavor, and discovery.

Day 1: Arrival - Madeira

Arrival at Madeira Airport and private transfer to your hotel. Travel comfortably in a Mercedes E-Class (up to 3 passengers) or Mercedes V-Class (4 or more passengers) with a professional English-speaking driver and complimentary bottled water included.

Day 2: Funchal | Half Day Funchal City Walking Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a private half-day walking tour of Funchal. Accompanied by an expert guide, discover the city’s historic and cultural highlights, including Funchal Cathedral (Sé Catedral), the beautiful city gardens, historic monuments, the charming Old Town, and the vibrant Mercado dos Lavradores.  Accommodation in Funchal (B)

Optional Private Tour:  Madeira Wine Tasting at Museum Tower and Museum  - Afternoon (5 pm)– 1.5 hours - $390 per person based on 2 passengers

This afternoon experience a private tour of the Funchal Sacred Art Museum, located in the 16th-century former Paço Episcopal, followed by a Madeira wine tasting at the Museum Tower. Guided by a historian, the tour highlights two significant works: the 15th-century processional cross of Água de Pena and the 16th-century triptych of Santiago Menor and Saint Philip. After exploring these masterpieces, guests ascend to the tower to enjoy panoramic views of Funchal and a private tasting of three Madeira wines—Sercial (dry), Verdelho (medium dry), and Bual (medium sweet)—paired with local snacks, all in a historic setting enriched with an 18th-century tile panel depicting Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Day 3: Madeira | Full Day Private East / North Jeep tour

After breakfast, depart for a Full-Day Private East & North Jeep Tour (8 hours) in a classic Land Rover Discovery (1998). Travel from Funchal up to Poiso and Pico do Arieiro (1,810 m), one of the island’s highest peaks, before descending through lush landscapes toward the north coast. Pass through Ribeiro Frio, Cruzinhas, and Lombo Galego, with off-road sections through Madeira Natural Park and scenic agricultural areas.  Stop in Santana for lunch at Quinta do Furão, where you will enjoy traditional Madeiran cuisine with spectacular cliffside views. The menu features specialties such as black scabbardfish with passionfruit sauce or regional beef espetada, accompanied by local wines and beverages.  In the afternoon, continue past the Faial viewpoint toward Porto da Cruz to visit a traditional sugarcane mill and taste the famous Madeiran poncha. End the day at Ponta de São Lourenço, the island’s dramatic eastern tip, offering breathtaking views of both the north and south coasts before returning to Funchal.  Overnight accommodation in Funchal.  (B,L)

Day 4: Madeira

Free day to enjoy all this destination has to offer. (B)

Optional Private tour : Moto sidecar - Funchal & Adega do Pomar – 5.5hours – followed by Workshop and Craft Cider Tasting with lunch in Adega do Pomar including hotel pick up and drop off - $ 480 per person based on 2 passengers

Experience the charm and history of Funchal in a unique way with a sidecar motorcycle tour through the city’s Historic Zone, weaving through narrow streets, admiring colonial architecture, and soaking in the lively atmosphere of local markets. The adventure continues with a visit to the Camacha region’s “Adega do Pomar,” an artisanal cider workshop just 30 minutes from Funchal, where hand-harvested apples from local producers are transformed into the signature “Moscadinha” cider using traditional methods, including aging in Madeira wine casks and the champenoise technique. Guests explore the cellar to see the production process from start to finish, then enjoy a tasting of fresh and aged ciders paired with regional snacks like homemade bread, tuna, and stewed broad beans, combining rural flavors with cultural discovery.  A typical lunch begins with homemade bread and daily snacks as starters, followed by a main dish choice of tuna steak with traditional Madeiran sauce, a regional “espetada” (grilled meat skewers), or roasted sweet potato with fresh cheese and vegetables, and concludes with a selection of desserts, offering a flavorful taste of local cuisine.

Day 5: Madeira | Hidden Trails of Madeira – Full Day Guided Walking Experience

After breakfast, depart for the Hidden Trails of Madeira – Full Day Private Guided Walking Experience (8 hours).  Accompanied by a private guide, explore Madeira’s famous levadas—historic  irrigation channels that now form scenic walking paths through lush landscapes and the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest. These trails pass through green valleys, natural tunnels carved into rock, and crystal-clear lagoons, offering a close encounter with the island’s unique flora and fauna. Routes can be tailored to beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels, with the final path selected closer to the date depending on weather conditions.  After your hike, enjoy a surprise countryside lunch in the mountains, prepared over an open fire in a beautiful natural setting. Taste the island’s traditional espetada (grilled skewered beef), served with fresh homemade bread, salad, and regional fruit, accompanied by wine, juices, and water. Vegetarian options are available upon request.  Return to Funchal for overnight accommodation. (B,L)

Day 6: Madeira | Full-Day West/North Madeira Island Private Tour

Start your day with a pick-up from your accommodation in Funchal or nearby and enjoy a scenic drive through the island to the charming fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, known for its colorful boats and picturesque harbor. After exploring the village, continue along the north coast, taking in dramatic cliffs, ocean views, and lush landscapes. At lunchtime, visit Quinta do Barbusano in São Vicente, the heart of Madeira’s wine region, for an exclusive tour of the vineyards and a behind-the-scenes look at traditional winemaking. The experience concludes with a private wine tasting paired with carefully selected local dishes, where each bite and sip highlights the island’s rich gastronomic and viticultural heritage.   Spend the day exploring Madeira’s scenic beauty, starting with a visit to the vineyards for a guided tour, wine tasting, and a typical Madeiran lunch featuring “espetada” in bay leaf with boiled potatoes, salad, and bolo do caco with garlic butter, finished with homemade passion fruit pudding, Madeira wine, and coffee; a vegetarian option of sautéed mushrooms and vegetables with Madeiran couscous is available on request. After lunch, continue to Porto Moniz to admire the natural volcanic pools and then to Seixal, a village with a black sand beach, before returning to Funchal for hotel drop-off, concluding a day rich in local culture, stunning landscapes, and gastronomic delights.  (B,L)

Optional Private Sunset Sailing Experience - Evening (7 pm) – $1100 per boat

Set sail in style and comfort on a private sailboat along Madeira’s stunning south coast, departing from Funchal Marina for a luxurious Atlantic experience. Enjoy a serene morning cruise toward the horizon to watch a unique sunrise, accompanied by a breakfast prepared by the crew—usually served in the calm bay of the Belmond Reid’s Hotel, ideal for a refreshing swim. The experience includes an open bar with water, juices, and wines, along with finger foods, combining relaxation, scenic beauty, and indulgence on the Atlantic waters.

Day 7: Madeira | Farm-to-table Experience

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a Farm-to-Table Experience (5 hours) with private hotel pick-up and drop-off. Set in the elegant grounds of Quinta Jardins do Lago, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this immersive culinary experience introduces you to Madeira’s rich gastronomic traditions.  Led by the Quinta’s private chef, the experience may begin with an optional tuk-tuk visit to Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal, where you will select seasonal produce, herbs, and fresh fish from local vendors. Alternatively, you can start directly at the Quinta, where the chef will have already chosen the finest ingredients of the day.  Back at the estate, enjoy time in the Quinta’s beautiful gardens while the chef prepares a multi-course meal inspired by the market and the garden’s harvest. The experience concludes with a private outdoor lunch, offering a refined yet authentic journey through Madeira’s flavors, history, and hospitality. (B,L)

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a private transfer to Madeira Airport with a professional driver and complimentary bottled water. (B)