Spain with Saranjan Tours

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10 days/9 nights - January to December

The Madeira archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean to the Southwest of mainland Portugal between latitude 32 and 33 and comprises the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, Desertas and Selvagens. This tour of the garden paradise of Madeira and the island of Porto Santo, known for its golden beaches, combines private escorted touring days with independent days to simply relax at your manor house and spa hotels.

Sat. FUNCHAL
On arrival in Madeira, meet your driver for transfer to the capital. Funchal is the Portuguese for fennel, a scent that hangs in the air above the island’s 15th century capital city, a steeply scene terraced natural amphitheater. From the terrace of your historic hotel high above the ocean, gaze across Funchal Bay. Relax over dinner at the quinta, recipient of Condé Nast’s most excellent hotel restaurant award.
Overnight: Quinta Bela Vista (Conde Nast most excellent charming European hotel 2007) D

Sun. FUNCHAL
Enjoy a leisurely morning. After lunch meet your guide for a tour of Funchal. Begin with a cable car ride for a grand vista of the terraced city. Continue on a walking tour of the old city, including visits to the 15th century Cathedral, the Botanical Gardens, the Market, an
embroidery factory and conclude the day at Blandy’s Wine Lodge. This evening relax at the quinta or stroll the cobbled streets of Funchal’s old fortress and sit down in one of many appealing restaurants.
Overnight: as above B

Mon. FUNCHAL
Day at leisure to enjoy the beach, explore Funchal or relax in the quinta’s gardens by the pool.
Overnight: as above BL

Tues. FUNCHAL • ACHADA DO TEIXEIRA
Depart Funchal for the north of the island for the village of Achada do Teixeira, your two night
base while you walk in the mountains along trails that parallel the levadas/earthen channels that deliver water to the island. Today’s levada walk passes under Pico Ruivo that rises to 6000 feet. This is an area of Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site of ancient forest with three distinct growing zones. Firecrest and chaffinches flit and call through the luxurious tunnels of vegetation that lead to wide open vistas. At day’s end return to your quinta, its 5 hectares planted in grape varietals used to produce the unique Madeira wines. Tour and taste at the winery and sip a pre dinner aperitif on the hotel terrace overlooking a rugged cliff that drops some 100m to the sea. Dinner at the inn.
Overnight: Quinta do Furão B D

Wed. ACHADA DO TEIXEIRA • PICOS DAS PEDRAS • QUEIMADAS • ILHA CALDEIRÃO
VERDE • ACHADA
Depart after breakfast for a day’s walking tour around the nearby peaks and including the looking

village of Ilha. As you wend your way watch for rock orchids, violets and trailing heathers growing in cracks. Near Achada are the Standing Men, curious basalt formations and the Santana Valley, a center of the dairy industry and known for its pretty thatched houses. Back at the quinta enjoy a swim in the pool before dinner.
Overnight: as above B D

Thur. ACHADA • SÃO VICENTE • PORTO MONIZ
The village of São Vicente was founded in the 15th century and preserves a number of beautiful chapels and solars/manor houses once occupied by aristocratic families. Visit the charming crafts museum and the remarkable Caves of São Vicente, a journey into the center
of the earth. Continuing along the north coast you come to Porto Moniz, a small town that is all about the sea. Visit its aquarium and science center and swim in the justifiably famous rock pools, beautiful natural swimming pools formed from lava. Relax at the hotel or venture into town for dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Euromoiz B

Fri. PORTO MONIZ • PONTA DO PARGO • CALHETA • PONTO DO SOL • FUNCHAL
This morning follow one of the island’s most dramatic stretches of road to the easterly most point at Ponta do Pargo. The road winds to Calheta, one of the island’s oldest communities known for its vineyards and fields of sugar cane and bananas. The small town has a unique Manueline church and the Casas das Mudas Art Center, nominated for the Mies Van der Rohe European Contemporary Architecture Award 2005. Also visit the old sugar cane mill. Calheta has long been known for its embroidery, tapestries and woodworking. Continuing to Ponta do Sol stop for a special visit, at the home of the great 20th c American writer John Dos Pasos. Arrive in Funchal late afternoon. Stay in the heart of downtown Funchal at a spa hotel with all services. Evening at leisure.
Overnight: Cliff Bay Hotel B D

Sat. FUNCHAL
Day at leisure.
Overnight: as above B

Sun. FUNCHAL • PORTO SANTO • FUNCHAL

Early morning departure by ferry for the nearby island of Porto Santo, completely unlike Madeira; meet your driver/guide on arrival for a morning tour of the island where Christopher Columbus drew up his final plans before he set off across the Atlantic. See the Monument to the Discoveries, the Columbus Museum, ancient windmills, village houses, the old fort and other sights. Afterwards enjoy the afternoon on the beach, 9km of unspoiled sands. OPTION: beach ride on horseback. Return to Funchal on the evening ferry.
Overnight: as above B

Mon. FUNCHAL AIRPORT
The tour ends with breakfast and transfer out to the airport for departure. B

INCLUCES:

Hotels based on double occupancy with breakfast
3 dinners
Private escorted touring with English speaking driver/ guide per itinerary
Entrances per itinerary
Ferry tickets 1st class Porto Santo & Airport transfers

PRICE:

based on 2 land only

All prices subject to currency fluctuation adjustment.

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Portugal

MADEIRA - Garden Island of the Atlantic

10 days/9 nights - January to December

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