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Madeira Island, Portugal  Printer Friendly VersionThe Pearl of the Atlantic  9 Days 7 Nights using one 5 star hotel with ocean view rooms Presidents Week: Feb. 19-27 2011 Optional 4 Night Lisbon Extension Feb.27-March 3rd 2011 $1,999pp double occupancy Single Supplement $395 Lisbon Extension 5 star hotel $549pp db. occ. - Single Supplement $325 The TE is offering a trip to Madeira Island, Portugal using one hotel during President’s week 2011. The cost of the trip includes R/T air, 7 Nights in the 5 star Pestana Grand Resort hotel with ocean view rooms and balcony, 7 breakfasts, 1 dinner. Tours and excursions as indicated. Tips for drivers and guides, and all taxes and fuel surcharges at the time of printing. An optional 4 night Lisbon extension will be available using a 5 star hotel with 4 breakfasts and a city tour.
DAY: 1 - Feb. 19th Overnight flight with meal and movie. DAY: 2 - Feb. 20th Arrival on Madeira. Free time to rest and explore. A buffet dinner is included this evening. DAY: 3 - Feb. 21st A full day excursion to Eira Do Serrado, Camara De Lobos & Porto Moniz. Situated 25 minutes north of Funchal, Eira do Serrado is one of the most beautiful places in Madeira with breathtaking views of its surrounding mountains and the village in Nun's Valley. Descending from the pass you will find Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley), a secluded little village located in the heart of the Island where in 16th century Nuns took refuge from the Pirates who frequently attacked Madeira. Most of the present inhabitants live on the land that produces the chestnut and the cherry; typical and traditional for this area. Many chestnut trees are found growing all around the forest. Many traditional recipes include the chestnut and just about anything can be made with them, mainly a variety of liqueurs, cakes, puddings and soups. Enjoy the many excellent walking routes, great for exercise, clean air and beautiful scenery. Camar De Lobos was this traditional fishing village, situated five kilometres from Funchal, which inspired the late Sir Winston Churchill to paint its lovely surroundings. The village was given its name by the explorers João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira because of the shape of its bay and the many sea lions (‘lobos’) living there at the time. Câmara de Lobos, apart from its wonderful bay, has several points of interest such as Pico da Torre, Curral das Freiras, Boca dos Namorados, Boca da Corrida and Cabo Girão. Coming from Funchal, when you arrive at this recently designated ‘city’, you will be faced with a dazzling bay, the full beauty of which can only best admired from Pico da Torre. Going towards Estreito de Câmara de Lobos parish, you will see that the banana plantations give way to vineyards and then, a little further up, to cherries. Once in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, you should visit the mother church and move forward to Jardim da Serra parish, where we go to Boca dos Namorados and admire the dazzling landscape of Curral das Freiras and possibly pass through Boca da Corrida and finally stop at Quinta do Jardim da Serra. Not easy to be missed, the Cabo Girão (second highest cliff in the world) will present you with breathtaking panoramic views. Absolutely amazing... Câmara de Lobos is also home of the ‘poncha’, a mixture of lemon juice, honey and sugarcane spirit, available at the many local taverns. Our tour will also take us to Porfto Moniz. Porto Moniz – whose name is believed to relate to Francisco Moniz who was married with one of the grand daughters of Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer of the island – is the most north-western point of the island and also one of the most spectacular. DAY: 4 - Feb. 22nd Free day to relax and explore. One can walk along the pedestrian promenade adjoining the hotel. The promenade is edged by luscious botanical gardens and has a myriad of viewing points and seats where you can enjoy the stunning scenery Within 200 meters of the hotel, there are natural seawater rock pools where you can swim and also access the largest beach in Madeira, known as ‘Praia Formosa’. Along the coast, there are a few local seafood restaurants at very reasonable prices. West from Praia Formosa there is a string of secluded little coves. Just five minutes by foot from the hotel resort, the new 'Madeira Forum Shopping Centre' provides a large variety of restaurants and cafés, international shops and cinemas (the latest films are shown with the original language and Portuguese sub-titles). International chains in Portugal are approximately 30% cheaper than in Europe. DAY: 5 - Feb. 23rd Full day island tour with guide. After visiting the highest peak in Madeira, we head down to the coast through original forest to the last home of Madeira's emblematic straw-roofed houses. Passing pretty villages and stunning seascapes, we arrive at the very eastern point for some superb views of the bold north and sunny south coasts in one panoramic vista. On the northern slopes of the island the tour reaches a popular starting point for 'levada' walks, Ribeiro Frio. With its interesting trout pools, this area still has much of its original vegetation. The island was once completely covered by 'Laurissilva' forest, a relic from prehistoric times. Time for lunch in Santana that is characterized by its small thatched triangular houses. Next stop not to be missed is the place known as Penha d'Águia in Porto da Cruz, here the views are absolutely amazing with an imposing rock that separates Porto da Cruz from Faial. Past Portela we will go towards Ponta de São Lourenço, situated in the eastern part of the island, this is the place where a fantastic combination of rocks, sea and nature combine. The last town to be visited is Santa Cruz where Madeira's new Intercontinental Airport is situated, boasting a runway of 2781 m length which has given the island a new image for the new millennium. DAY: 6, 7 & 8 - Feb. 24th, 25th & 26th Full free days at leisure. Why not spend one day in the islands Capital city of Funchal, the capital of the Madeira archipelago, which was declared a city in the 1500s, and became an important point between the old and new worlds. The laid-back city owes much of its historical prominence to "white gold," Madeiran sugar. Today Funchal is known for its appealing temperatures, wine and crafts. Top spots to visit include the open Worker's Market, Blandy's Wine Lodge and the Sacred Art Museum. Friendly locals, walkable streets and cheap taxis make the city easy to get around. There are limitless options for to use your free time. Why not take a day to just relax and enjoy the spa at our resort hotel. Other options include shopping, visiting the nearby island of Porto by ferry. There are also local markets and modern shopping centers with all kinds of bargains located around the island but there is nothing like visiting a local market Originally, these regional markets were set up for selling flowers but with the time they expanded to all kinds of agricultural products and local food specialties (such as ‘bolo de caco’ bread, grilled chicken and wheat soup) to be consumed there or to take away. On today’s local markets you will find almost everything from flowers, vegetables, fruit and eggs to toys, clothes, music CD’s and tapes, food and beverages. With the exception of the ‘Mercado dos Lavradores’ in Funchal, these open markets are mainly frequented by the local population living in the area who do their weekly shopping there. Usually taking place during the weekends, you will find these typical markets a bit everywhere on the island, but the most established ones are those in Santa (Porto Moniz), Ponta Delgada and Santo da Serra. Opening times of the 'Mercado dos Lavradores' in Funchal’s Old Town: Monday to Friday from 07.00 to 20.00 h; Saturday from 07.00 to 14.00 h (Sundays and on bank holidays closed). You want to experience something really local? Then look out for one of these traditional markets on your tour around the island! DAY: 9 - Feb. 27th Return flight home or start of the Lisbon extension. Once the launch pad for many of the voyages of discovery (notably Vasco da Gama's epic journey to India), Lisbon was the first true world city, the capital of an empire spreading over all continents, from South America (Brazil) to Asia (Macao, China; Goa, India). It is forever known as the city of the explorers, and you too will be filled with the spirit of discovery as you retrace the footsteps of Prince Henry the Navigator or Ferdinand Magellan. Explore World Heritage architectural marvels, the Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower, with their intricate carvings showcasing all the glory and excitement of the age, and discover the treasures from the East and the West inside the world-class Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, or the acclaimed Design Museum and the fantastic Berardo Collection of contemporary art. The city's legendary seven hills will also seduce you into admiring characteristic mosaic pavements and dazzling tiled façades, and will reward you with strategically-placed miradouros viewpoints offering breathtaking panoramas over the city after a ride on a charming old tram. You'll find yourself wandering through colorful 18th century squares downtown and getting lost in the medieval maze of the Alfama district overlooked by an ancient castle. Follow that with a dive into the spectacular Oceanarium and spend your nights indulging in the city's gastronomic delights, listening to the sounds of Fado, or bar-hopping through the cobbled alleys of the shabby-chic Bairro Alto district. You're sure to become mesmerized by Lisbon's wonderful mix of the old-fashioned and the hip; of the historic and the modern, but you'll also want to go outside the city to the fairytale town of Sintra and to the cosmopolitan shores of Cascais and Estoril. Whatever you choose to do, you'll find all you need to know here. We present you a variety of restaurants, cafés, and shops, and introduce you to the best of Lisbon's bars, clubs, and much more. DAY: 1 - Feb. 27th Free time upon arrival to start exploring. DAY: 2 - Feb. 28th City tour with local guide visits to Jeronimos Monestery and Belem Tower are included. DAY: 3 & 4 - March 1st & 2nd Free time to explore Lisbon on your own. The TE will provide suggestions on how to spend your time. It is also possible to visit the fairytale town of Sintra or the seaside towns of Cascais and Estoril. Lisbon provides limitless things to see and do. DAY: 5 - March 3rd Return flight to the US. Please be sure to read and accept our terms and condtions. |