Discovering Madeira - 5h

A short distance from Funchal is the village of Câmara de Lobos, a picturesque and thriving fishing cillage, once painted by Sir Wiston Churchill during his stay in Madeira. The area around Câmara de Lobos is one of the most important areas for viniculture on the island.

During the drive through, you will note that small terraces are carved into the sides of the mountain; as the road climbs higher; the banana plantations give way to grapes. Then you will continue until the viewpoint of Cabo Girão (1,902ft, 580m), the second highest sea cliff in the world. It rises sheer from the sea, offering stunning views of the bay of Funchal and out over the distant horizon. Continuing along the south coast, the route leads you to Ribeira Brava.

The tour continues through the village of Monte (1,677ft, 550m), notable for its many fine properties and gardens.

Monte is perched on a hill above Funchal. In the centre of the high altar of the Church stands the statue of Our Lady of Monte (circa 15^thcentury), credited with being source of many miracles.

Inside the Church you will also find the tomb of Charles I, last Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who died in exile in Madeira in 1922.

The Toboggan ride back – basjet sledge ride into funchal ends in Livramento. The ride down the hill in the wicker sledges is an exciting one, providing you with a taste of the Madeira of the past decades, when this was established form of transport. 

 

After we proceed to the Local Market, where you can see the local produce of Madeira, including some of the flowers Madeira is famed for (orchidsm strelitzias – “birds of paradise”, etc.), baskets filled with tropical fruit and vegetables, local handicrafts and an impressive fish market.

 

After we proceed to the Local Market, where you can see the local produce of Madeira, including some of the flowers Madeira is famed for (orchidsm strelitzias – “birds of paradise”, etc.), baskets filled with tropical fruit and vegetables, local handicrafts and an impressive fish market.

The next stop will be a visit to the Embroidery Factory.  Here visitors can watch the various stages of design and creation. Large exhibition rooms enable the visitor to admire the full beauty of Madeiran embroidery and other craft items. Here visitors can watch the various stages of design and creation. Large exhibition rooms enable the visitor to admire the full beauty of Madeiran embroidery and other craft items.

Finally we will visit one of the Madeira Wine Lodges and taste the world famous wine, so much a part of the heritage of the island.