During this enchanting festival, the island’s capital, Funchal, is filled with the beautiful hues and rich scents of the vast array of flowers which are at their best at this time of year. We’ll explore the Botanical Gardens, the Palheiro Garden, and the Monte Palace Garden during our time in Madeira, finishing our holiday with the incredible Allegoric Flower Parade. Our accommodation is the delightful Four View Monumental Hotel, a 4-star hotel in the Lido area with magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Please choose your preferred 8 day itinerary
Direct flight from London Stansted to Funchal. On arrival in Funchal, we will transfer to the Four View Monumental Hotel for our 7-night stay. Late afternoon, there will be a welcome talk and the opportunity to try some local Madeira wine. Dinner is included in the hotel restaurant every evening.
Includes Dinner
A buffet breakfast will be served in the hotel each morning. After breakfast we will depart the hotel for a full day island tour, a wonderful opportunity to see the surprising contrast between East and West Madeira in one day. Our tour will include Ribeiro Frio, a natural park with endemic flowers; the village of Santana, famous for typical Maderian houses with thatched roofs; the spectacular North coast with breathtaking views, and Porto Moniz near the natural volcanic rock swimming pools. We will continue to the only vast volcanic plateau on the island, Paul da Serra, before driving back to Funchal. We pass through lovely fishing villages with banana plantations and vineyards, bringing a delightful end to an unforgettable day.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Today you will have the opportunity to explore independently, or you may prefer to relax in the surroundings of your hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Today our full day “Flavours of Funchal” excursion takes us to the Botanical Gardens with fantastic views over Funchal. This will be a wonderful introduction to the flower species of Madeira before our walking tour of Funchal, including a visit to a wine lodge and local market to appreciate exotic flowers, tropical fruits, and local craftwork. We will then take the cable car up to Monte village to visit the impressive Monte Palace Gardens. These glorious gardens surround the chateau-like palace where you’ll see a massive range of flowers from every corner of the globe. There will be time to explore the beautiful village of Monte before the opportunity to take a traditional toboggan ride (at additional cost locally).
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
This morning our included excursion will take us to Palheiro Gardens, formerly known as Blandy Garden. This garden, located 500 meters above sea level, has been established over several generations and is most famous for its camellias. There is something for everyone with green fingers here, including a marvellous spread of agapanthus, arum and belladonna lilies, exotic plants, and ancient trees, some of which are more than 200 years old. Our tour will also include a visit to the Statue of Christ the King with fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean. We will return to the hotel at lunchtime, leaving the remainder of the day at leisure before dinner.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Today you will have a full day at leisure to explore Funchal. You might like to take in the Wall of Hope Ceremony, a tradition which has taken place in Madeira for over 30 years. During this ceremony, children walk with flowers in their hands towards Praca do Municipo where they construct a wall of flowers known as the ‘Wall of Hope’ symbolising the call for world peace.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
The Allegoric Flower Parade is one of the highlights of the Madeira Flower Festival and it will take place during our penultimate day on the island. This afternoon, the streets of Funchal will once again be filled with music, colour, and soft perfumes. A grandstand seat is included, enabling you to watch this amazing parade of floats covered in a sea of flowers, foliage, and decoration as well as dancers and musicians dressed in creative and colourful costumes from the comfort of your own seat. The procession will conclude in the early evening.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Spend today at leisure until the transfer to Funchal Airport for our return flight to London Stansted.
Includes Breakfast