You will stay at the four star Hotel Quinta Do Sol set on a hillside and overlooking one of the capital’s prettiest parks, less than a mile from the centre of Funchal, with magnificent views of the beautiful bay and surrounding mountains. The hotel features a restaurant, coffee shop, lounge and cocktail bar, snooker room, gym and gift shop. Entertainment is provided on most evenings. Outside enjoy the heated swimming pool with snack bar, and rooftop sun terrace.
You can use the public tennis and squash courts in the adjoining park at a small supplement. All bedrooms feature private facilities, satellite TV, telephone, radio, hairdryer and safe.
MONDAY 20th UK/Funchal
Meet your travelling companions at the airport and depart on your scheduled flight to Funchal. Transfer to your hotel for a seven night stay. Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival.
TUESDAY 21st - SUNDAY 26th Funchal
Walk through Funchal’s lovely old cobbled streets with their red-roofed, whitewashed houses and distinctly Portuguese flavour, relax in one of the pavement cafés and bars overlooking the picturesque harbour, and browse through the shops. We will visit the Botanical Gardens and an embroidery factory on our included introductory tour of the city’s old quarter and enjoy a tasting of the famous Madeira wine.
On Christmas Eve we will enjoy a special festive dinner.
Whilst in Maderia, you can relax at your hotel or discover Madeira’s many charms on our optional excursion programme:
Island Tour A full day scenic tour of Madeira includes the Ribeiro Frio Park, the waterfalls at Sao Vicente and the volcanic rock pools at Porto Moniz.
Crater & Toboggan A half day excursion to see the crater of the extinct volcano at Nun’s Valley, before continuing to the picturesque village of Monte where you can take an exhilarating toboggan ride down the steep, three-mile hill to Funchal. The traditional wicker toboggans are pushed by two men who use the rubber soles of their boots as brakes!
Levada Walk & Camacha Enjoy beautiful scenery and magnificent views as you walk along the island’s water channels, known as levadas, which were created to bring water from the highlands to the lower regions. We continue to Camacha to visit the wickerwork centre (approx. 2 hours walk).
Sunday Lunch After enjoying stunning scenery from the cliff tops at Cabo Girao, we head to the picturesque village of Ribeira Brava and relax in a local restaurant to enjoy a delightful Sunday lunch.
MONDAY 27th Funchal/UK
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.