Overview

With the freedom to roam at your own pace, our Madeira Fly Drive Holiday is the best way to explore this beautiful Atlantic Island.

For a relatively small island, Madeira has more than its fair share of breath-taking scenery, and its rugged coastlines, wild river valleys and cloud-tipped mountain ranges are some of the most spectacular in Europe. Your stay begins in Funchal, Madeira’s bustling capital in the more temperate southeast of the island. It’s easier to explore the city on foot and we’ll deliver your car when it’s time to head further afield.

Your next base is in the central mountains overlooking the secluded Curral das Freiras – a village once hidden from the outside world by steep peaks on all sides. Heading north, this remote region is home to many of Madeira’s most impressive natural landmarks, with its monolithic sea cliffs and precipitous rockfaces – you’ll be staying in the quiet coastal town of Porto Moniz, which is a favourite natural swimming spot for Madeirans and visitors alike. You’ll end your stay on the sunny south coast in Camara de Lobos – a bustling harbour town where you can enjoy the best of the island’s seasonal cuisine and renowned wines.

We understand that independence is key: being free to explore where you like, when you like. We’ll arrange your flights, your accommodation and your car, and we’re here to support you throughout your Madeira Fly Drive Holiday. We’ll also provide you with the online maps you’ll need to navigate, and we’ll suggest our favourite things to see and do on the island: the rest is up to you.

Itinerary

You’ll begin your holiday by flying from the UK to Madeira. Our driver will collect you from your flight, for the twenty-minute transfer to your accommodation in Funchal.
We’ll leave your first day on the island free, to allow you to relax and explore Funchal, the capital of Madeira, with visits to the Se Catedral, Blandy’s wine lodge and the Zona Velha old town district.
You’ll walk the Levada dos Tornos trail to the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens, home of the Carro de Cesto wicker toboggans.
We’ll deliver a hire car to your hotel, to allow you to explore the river valleys and coastal towns of eastern Madeira, the forest park at Ribeiro Frio and the Ponta de Sao Lourenco peninsula.
You’ll leave Funchal today, heading inland and up to your new accommodation at the Eira do Serrado Hotel. From this high viewpoint at 1,095m, you’ll have a wonderful view down into Curral das Freiras.
You might like to walk the old Nun’s Trail down into the Curral das Freiras, to sample the famous Bolo de Castanha cake.
You’ll take a drive to one of the highest points on the island – the summit of Pico do Arieiro (at 1818m) – with its 360⁰ view across the island.
You’ll leave Eira do Serrado today, heading north via Sao Vicente and the Casacata Veu da Noiva Bridal Veil waterfall to your new accommodation in the seafront village of Porto Moniz.
Porto Moniz is famous for its seawater pools, and you might like to keep today free so you can relax and swim at the Piscinas Naturais.
You’ll walk the Rabacal: Levada do Risco trail, via the 25 Fontes Levada to the beautiful green lagoon of the same name - where 25 streams fall from a 30m high cliff to form a natural pool.
You might like to explore north coast of the island: the villages of Ponta Delgada and Boaventura, whose coastlines are dotted with spectacular miradouros, and the town Santana: home to the preserved Casas Tradicionais.
You’ll leave Porto Moniz today, heading south for a three-night stay in Camara de Lobos. Enroute, you’ll have a chance to visit the 140m high Cascata da Garganta Funda, the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo, and the south coast villages of village of Paul do Mar and Jardim do Mar.
You might like to explore Camara on foot, walking the coastal trail to Praia Formosa beach.
For your final full day on the island, you might like to visit Cabo Girao: one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs.
You’ll return your hire car to the airport before flying home.

From £2400 per person

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

INCLUDED: direct return flights from the UK, accommodation in twin/double en-suite rooms on a B&B basis, return airport transfers and car hire.

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