dossier
Walks in the Floating Garden
Day 1: Arrive at Funchal airport
Your guide, Jorge Rosa, meets you and takes you to your hotel (20 mins).
Day 2: Levadas and Waterfalls 8mi/13km/5hr
A short scenic drive gets us to the start of the walk, along the Levada do Paul edged with laurels,ericas and blueberry trees. The path is loud with the song of the bis-bis birds (like small finches),and fragrant with oregano, mint and fennel from which Funchal got its name. We picnic under amagnificent waterfall, and return by the Levada do Lageado to Casa Florestal do Paul. Time for aswim before dinner.
Day 3: Lamaceiros Natural Park 10mi/16km/5hr
We stop first at Camacha, a major centre for the basket industry. Then up a scented woodland pathedged with wild flowers including orchids, Pride of Madeira, gladioli and fuchsias through theNational Park. An easy path takes us down to Portela, with majestic mountains behind us and thenorth coast fishing villages spread out below.
Day 4: Independent Exploring
A free day today to wander around Funchal, perhaps starting with the bustling market, near the har-bour. There’s every kind of fresh fish and exotic fruit. It’s full of atmosphere, and ablaze with localcolour. A short walk, passing a number of famous old manor houses, gets you to Monte, its churchsurrounded by beautiful gardens. Then in the afternoon have a cream tea at Reids, or try a spot ofvintage Madeira tasting after heading down (perhaps by ‘toboggan’) into the town.
Day 5: Porto Santo 5mi/9km/3hr
An early start to catch the 08:00 ferry to Porto Santo (21/2hours, fare included). We start off fromCamacha village where we follow the path around Pico Castelo, passing through cedars, pines andeucalyptus. The highlight of the day is Jorge’s barbeque where we enjoy espetada(beef speared withlaurel branches and cooked over an open fire), salad and wine! Then off to the island’s fine sandybeach and a visit to Christopher Columbus’ house (now a museum) before getting the boat back to Funchal.
Day 6: Porto Moniz 4mi/7km/2.5hr
We head north west today, passing spectacular roadside waterfalls, to the famous black laurel of Fanal. We then follow a forest path through ericas and twisted laurels with firecrests soaring over-head, as we approach the pretty Paul da Serra plateau fragrant with wild mint and oregano. We picnic at a forest house, before heading to the sparkling volcanic rock pools of Porto Moniz. There’s achance for a refreshing dip, before making our way back to Funchal.
Day 7: Mimosa Walk 8mi/14km/5hr
Today we head south east and walk along the old levadaof Pico do Fiacho lined with mimosas. Aswe reach the fortress that once defended the town of Machico from marauding pirates, we havespectacular views of the emerald green bay nestling below the hills of Santo da Serra. It’s then a gentle descent through cultivated terraces of yams, bananas and arum lillies and down to the sleepyfishing village of Caniçal for lunch.
Day 8: Leave Funchal
We give you a lift to the airport for flights home.
Extra nights:
Funchal:
Room upgrade: Twin Garden View with Balcony $8 pppn (Singles $18 pn), Twin Superior Room with Balcony $33 pppn (Singles $71 pn), Deluxe room with Balcony $89 pppn, Junior Suite $156 pppn.