Our Madeira Fly-Drive Holiday is one of the best ways to explore this stunning island in the Atlantic.
You’re independent: free to explore where you like, when you like. You could take a drive to the famous Curral das Freiras (the Nuns Valley) where you can mingle with the locals over coffee and cake, or take drive along the dramatic coastal road from Sao Vicente to high cliffs and waterfalls of Porto Moniz – without a doubt one of the most spectacularly-scenic drives in Europe.
We’ll organise your flights, your accommodation and your car – and we’ll suggest a few of our favourite things to see and do on the island. The rest is up to you !
Explore Funchal; the capital of Madeira. The city is easily explored on foot: Funchal’s marina, the historic Sé Catedral and the famous Blandy’s wine lodge are all within easy walking distance of your hotel.In the afternoon, you could take the Teleferico cable car up to the beautiful Monte Palace Gardens, before returning to the city riding the famous Carro de Cesto wicker taboggans.
Day 3
Your hire car will be delivered. You could spend the day exploring eastern Madeira: the forest park at Ribeiro Frio, the Parque Temático da Madeira, the town of Machico (the first settlement on the island) and the beautifully-barren landscape of the Ponta de Sao Lourenco peninsula.
Day 4
You’ll leave Funchal today for your second hotel. You’ll head up and over the high pass which dissects the island in two – from Riberia Brava, via the summits of Pico do Cedro and Pico da Encumeada, and down to the village of Sao Vicente. The village is home to the island’s Volcanism Centre and lava caves, and it’s a short drive to the north coast and the magnificent sea cliffs that dominate the landscape on this side of Madeira. The road leads to Porto Moniz, where the coastline is dotted with natural rock pools; it’s one of the best swimming spots on the island.
Day 5
Take a drive to the most westerly point on the island – to the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo and the 140m high cascata da Garganta Funda waterfall; one of the highest waterfalls on the island. It’s a short drive north to Achadas da Cruz, to take the cable car which connects the village of Achadas on the top of the sea cliffs with its farmlands 500m below on the rocky coast. It’s quite a steep ride compared to some of the other telefericos on the island – well worth it for the spectacular views.
Day 6
You’ll head south today to your final hotel. En-route, you could pop into the Galeria dos Prazeres which promotes local artists work; and if you like fresh fish, a lunch stop in the fishing village of Paul do Mar is highly recommended. You’ll also pass through the town of Calheta – home to one of the island’s few surviving rum distilleries at Engenho da Calheta. Perhaps better known for its fortified wines, Madeira also produces white rum from the sugar cane which grows in abundance on the island.
Day 7
For your final full day, you could take a drive to the Curral das Freiras – the Nun’s Valley where the Convent of Santa Clara famously took refuge from pirates in 1566. Cherries and chestnuts are the main crops grown on the terraces that you’ll see lining the steep sides of the valley. The Cherries are used in the production of the island’s fortified wines, whilst the chestnuts find their way into a number of traditional Madeiran recipes for cakes, sweet puddings and soups
Day 8
You’ll return your hire car to the airport before flying home.
Madeira’s position in the North Atlantic makes it the ideal destination for Whale and Dolphin watching. Add in the island’s temperate Winter weather, and you’ve arguably got the best year-round destination for Cetaceans (and for humans to spot them).
Canyoning
Madeira is fast becoming Europe’s most popular destination for canyoning. Our guides will lead you down a mountain stream as it winds its way to the valley floor - abseiling down a series of increasingly spectacular waterfalls.
Guided tours
Madeira looks like a small island on paper. Once you’re here, you’ll see that the steep terrain and sinuous, winding roads make it tricky to explore the entire island in just one week. Our private tours take you to those lesser visited parts of Madeira you might otherwise miss.
Mountain Biking
Perhaps more than any other pursuit, it’s mountain biking that's at the heart of the changing face of tourism on the Madeira. The island’s seemingly endless network of trails are attracting more and more riders each year - whatever your preferred style of riding, there’s a trail for you on Madeira.
Levada Trails
Whether self-guided or as part of a small group, the hiking trails on Madeira are outstanding. The way-marked paths along the famous levada water channels are the most popular way to explore he island on foot, and we can recommend the walks we'll think you'll enjoy the most.
Birdwatching
Our Bird Watching trips are more like in-depth sightseeing tours of Madeira with extras. Accompanied by a passionate naturalist, you’ll get closer to the birds, plants and butterflies you'd otherwise have missed - including the Trocaz pigeon the rare Zino’s Petrel.
Perched high on a cliff top with a commanding view of Madeira’s southern coast, the Estalagem da Ponta do Sol is an impressively stylish hotel.
Originally constructed as a 19th Century private Quinta, the hotel is a wonderful rabbit-warren of intersecting floors, walkways and terraces. The 54 rooms have a minimal-but-warm finish of light wood furnishing, white walls and black basalt floors.
And the views are breathtaking – it’s hard to pick a favourite: the panoramic ocean view from the terrace pool or the perfect view of every setting sun form the garden terrace ? Of all our hotels on Madeira, the Estalagem is arguably the best choice if you just want to spend the morning by the pool, jump in the jacuzzi in the afternoon, and spend the evening eating great Portuguese food.
Quintinha São João
Quintinha São João is a charming, family run hotel providing a relaxing escape from the bustle of downtown Funchal.
The hotel’s forty rooms are spacious and bright, and the décor is towards the more traditional Portuguese style: there are some lovely pieces of antique furniture and artwork dotted around the hotel. The hotel is a member of the “Quintas da Madeira” – an association working to preserve Madeira’s valuable heritage: specifically the beautiful 150-year-old manor house which sits within the grounds of the Quintinha São João, and is home to the Barreto Family (owners and builders of the hotel).
We particularly love their deluxe rooms, with balconies overlooking the gardens and the Vasco da Gama bar and terrace. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, extensive spa facilities for those days when you just want a bit of pampering, and their Morgadinha restaurant is excellent.
The hotel is owned and managed by Senhor André Barreto and his ‘right-hand’ Rosie Borges. Their staff are all hand-picked and it really shows – their friendly service and attention to detail make Quintinha São João one of the most welcoming hotels on Madeira.
Immerse yourself in the charming, friendly culture of Portugal’s largest island community.
Explore Madeira’s magnificent landscapes at your own leisure.
Stay in some of the best, hand-picked accommodation on Madeira.
Our Madeira Fly-Drive Holiday is one of the best ways to explore this stunning island in the Atlantic.
You’re independent: free to explore where you like, when you like. You could take a drive to the famous Curral das Freiras (the Nuns Valley) where you can mingle with the locals over coffee and cake, or take drive along the dramatic coastal road from Sao Vicente to high cliffs and waterfalls of Porto Moniz – without a doubt one of the most spectacularly-scenic drives in Europe.
We’ll organise your flights, your accommodation and your car – and we’ll suggest a few of our favourite things to see and do on the island. The rest is up to you !
Explore Funchal; the capital of Madeira. The city is easily explored on foot: Funchal’s marina, the historic Sé Catedral and the famous Blandy’s wine lodge are all within easy walking distance of your hotel.In the afternoon, you could take the Teleferico cable car up to the beautiful Monte Palace Gardens, before returning to the city riding the famous Carro de Cesto wicker taboggans.
Day 3
Your hire car will be delivered. You could spend the day exploring eastern Madeira: the forest park at Ribeiro Frio, the Parque Temático da Madeira, the town of Machico (the first settlement on the island) and the beautifully-barren landscape of the Ponta de Sao Lourenco peninsula.
Day 4
You’ll leave Funchal today for your second hotel. You’ll head up and over the high pass which dissects the island in two – from Riberia Brava, via the summits of Pico do Cedro and Pico da Encumeada, and down to the village of Sao Vicente. The village is home to the island’s Volcanism Centre and lava caves, and it’s a short drive to the north coast and the magnificent sea cliffs that dominate the landscape on this side of Madeira. The road leads to Porto Moniz, where the coastline is dotted with natural rock pools; it’s one of the best swimming spots on the island.
Day 5
Take a drive to the most westerly point on the island – to the lighthouse at Ponta do Pargo and the 140m high cascata da Garganta Funda waterfall; one of the highest waterfalls on the island. It’s a short drive north to Achadas da Cruz, to take the cable car which connects the village of Achadas on the top of the sea cliffs with its farmlands 500m below on the rocky coast. It’s quite a steep ride compared to some of the other telefericos on the island – well worth it for the spectacular views.
Day 6
You’ll head south today to your final hotel. En-route, you could pop into the Galeria dos Prazeres which promotes local artists work; and if you like fresh fish, a lunch stop in the fishing village of Paul do Mar is highly recommended. You’ll also pass through the town of Calheta – home to one of the island’s few surviving rum distilleries at Engenho da Calheta. Perhaps better known for its fortified wines, Madeira also produces white rum from the sugar cane which grows in abundance on the island.
Day 7
For your final full day, you could take a drive to the Curral das Freiras – the Nun’s Valley where the Convent of Santa Clara famously took refuge from pirates in 1566. Cherries and chestnuts are the main crops grown on the terraces that you’ll see lining the steep sides of the valley. The Cherries are used in the production of the island’s fortified wines, whilst the chestnuts find their way into a number of traditional Madeiran recipes for cakes, sweet puddings and soups
Day 8
You’ll return your hire car to the airport before flying home.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Madeira’s position in the North Atlantic makes it the ideal destination for Whale and Dolphin watching. Add in the island’s temperate Winter weather, and you’ve arguably got the best year-round destination for Cetaceans (and for humans to spot them).
Canyoning
Madeira is fast becoming Europe’s most popular destination for canyoning. Our guides will lead you down a mountain stream as it winds its way to the valley floor - abseiling down a series of increasingly spectacular waterfalls.
Guided tours
Madeira looks like a small island on paper. Once you’re here, you’ll see that the steep terrain and sinuous, winding roads make it tricky to explore the entire island in just one week. Our private tours take you to those lesser visited parts of Madeira you might otherwise miss.
Mountain Biking
Perhaps more than any other pursuit, it’s mountain biking that's at the heart of the changing face of tourism on the Madeira. The island’s seemingly endless network of trails are attracting more and more riders each year - whatever your preferred style of riding, there’s a trail for you on Madeira.
Levada Trails
Whether self-guided or as part of a small group, the hiking trails on Madeira are outstanding. The way-marked paths along the famous levada water channels are the most popular way to explore he island on foot, and we can recommend the walks we'll think you'll enjoy the most.
Birdwatching
Our Bird Watching trips are more like in-depth sightseeing tours of Madeira with extras. Accompanied by a passionate naturalist, you’ll get closer to the birds, plants and butterflies you'd otherwise have missed - including the Trocaz pigeon the rare Zino’s Petrel.
Estalagem da Ponta do Sol
Perched high on a cliff top with a commanding view of Madeira’s southern coast, the Estalagem da Ponta do Sol is an impressively stylish hotel.
Originally constructed as a 19th Century private Quinta, the hotel is a wonderful rabbit-warren of intersecting floors, walkways and terraces. The 54 rooms have a minimal-but-warm finish of light wood furnishing, white walls and black basalt floors.
And the views are breathtaking – it’s hard to pick a favourite: the panoramic ocean view from the terrace pool or the perfect view of every setting sun form the garden terrace ? Of all our hotels on Madeira, the Estalagem is arguably the best choice if you just want to spend the morning by the pool, jump in the jacuzzi in the afternoon, and spend the evening eating great Portuguese food.
Quintinha São João
Quintinha São João is a charming, family run hotel providing a relaxing escape from the bustle of downtown Funchal.
The hotel’s forty rooms are spacious and bright, and the décor is towards the more traditional Portuguese style: there are some lovely pieces of antique furniture and artwork dotted around the hotel. The hotel is a member of the “Quintas da Madeira” – an association working to preserve Madeira’s valuable heritage: specifically the beautiful 150-year-old manor house which sits within the grounds of the Quintinha São João, and is home to the Barreto Family (owners and builders of the hotel).
We particularly love their deluxe rooms, with balconies overlooking the gardens and the Vasco da Gama bar and terrace. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, extensive spa facilities for those days when you just want a bit of pampering, and their Morgadinha restaurant is excellent.
The hotel is owned and managed by Senhor André Barreto and his ‘right-hand’ Rosie Borges. Their staff are all hand-picked and it really shows – their friendly service and attention to detail make Quintinha São João one of the most welcoming hotels on Madeira.
