Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Portugal – Madeira – Funchal – Porto Moniz – Santana
100% customisable for you
Bags packed, passports at the ready and excitement levels officially sky-high – today's the day you’re off to Madeira. Head to the airport, breeze through security, pick up a new beachside read and settle into your four-hour flight (try to nab a window seat for those first views of the deep-blue Atlantic).
When you arrive, pick up your hire car and hit the road for the 20-minute drive into central Funchal. Check into your villa, your home for the next three nights, then spend a few hours relaxing with an afternoon snooze or a dip in the pool. Siesta complete, amble through Funchal’s winding cobbled streets, where ocean views, tucked-away bars and laid-back island life ease you straight into holiday mode.
Come evening, ask our Concierge for their favourite local dinner spot before heading back for an early night – tomorrow promises plenty more excitement.
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast this morning – you've got quite the adventure ahead. Bundle into a 4x4 with your private guide and head west towards the Serra de Agua Valley, pausing in a sleepy village tucked into the Ribeira Brava before ascending to Encumeada Pass, perched 1,000 meters above sea level. Snap plenty of photos while you’re here: these sweeping panoramas across the island were made for the holiday album.
Next, venture into the UNESCO-listed Laurissilva Forest, where moss-covered trees, tumbling waterfalls and fern-filled valleys feel straight out of a fantasy film set.
Wrap things up in Seixal with a wine tasting at a traditional quinta, where Madeira’s sunshine and volcanic soil work their magic on every bottle. Sip ruby-reds and crisp whites alongside a spread of local tapas before heading back to Funchal.
Still raring to go? We can also arrange a private k ayaking session off the coast – the perfect way to cool down after a day exploring the island’s wild side.
Pack the sunscreen and charge the camera: today, you're heading out onto the sparkling Atlantic in search of Madeira’s majestic marine life. Hop aboard a speedy RIB – a small but mighty inflatable boat – and zip away from Funchal Marina, skimming across the waves as you keep your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales and occasional sea turtles.
When wildlife is spotted, the boat slows right down, giving you the chance to quietly observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat without disturbing them. And, thanks to Madeira’s position along a major North Atlantic migratory route, up to 28 different species pass through these waters over the course of the year, so you never quite know what might cruise alongside the boat next.
After a full day out on the water, return to your hotel for a heavenly out-in-the-sun-all-day nap. Refreshed and recharged, head out for a sunset dinner and go for whatever looks good on the grill.
Buckle in this morning for the easy, breezy one-hour drive to Porto Moniz, set on Madeira’s wild northwest coast. Roll down the windows, tune into our destination-specific playlist and let the sing-along commence...
Later, arrive in Porto Moniz and settle into your beachside villa, where the next couple of days are dedicated to some serious R&R. Take a dip in the town’s famous volcanic rock pools, stroll the seafront with a gelato in hand or simply stretch out and bask in that oh-so-glorious Madeiran sunshine.
Still in adventure mode? We can arrange a private hike along the Levada do Alecrim, a scenic walking trail that takes you high into the mountains, winding past cascading waterfalls and mossy woodland.
Finish each day sun-kissed, salt-speckled and satisfied, enjoying a seafood dinner on the beach and watching the sky glow golden over the ocean – pure bliss.
After a traditional Portuguese breakfast of decadent pasteis de nata and strong espresso, gear up for another one-hour drive along Madeira’s north coast to Santana, a seaside town known (and adored) for its traditional homes.
Drop your bags at your hilltop cottage, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights, then head out to explore. Santana's famous casas de colmo are the stars of the show: charming stone houses with triangular thatched roofs that look plucked straight from a storybook. There’s also a local museum offering a glimpse into Madeira’s past, with exhibitions showcasing traditional architecture and old-school island life.
Fancy exploring further? Tackle the hike up Penha de Agua for sweeping coastal views, admire the Baroque altarpiece in Sao Jorge’s Church or swing by Miradouro do Guindaste for yet another postcard-perfect panorama.
After a day spent oohing and aahing across the island, tuck into some regional dishes, ending the evening suitably stuffed.
Another day, another adventure. Lace up your best walking shoes and set off on a hike along the Levada da Referta, a centuries-old irrigation channel carved into the island to carry water across its steep terrain. Today, they double up as walking trails, crisscrossing through farmland, forest and sleepy villages.
Along the way, your private guide brings the landscape to life with stories of Madeira’s agricultural past and the engineering feats behind the levadas themselves. Pause for a breather at viewpoints overlooking Penha de Aguia, a striking rock formation that makes a pretty spectacular picnic backdrop, and keep your eyes peeled for endemic plants and birdlife – bonus points if you’re the first to spot a booted eagle soaring overhead.
Craving an afternoon on the water? We can also arrange a s norkelling session in Ponta de Sao Lourenco, where volcanic reefs and crystal-clear waters await. And after a jam-packed day, leave dinner plans up to your Concierge – just tell them what you’re craving...
Time flies when you’re having fun, and sadly, it’s time to bid Madeira a warm adeus (farewell). After breakfast, buckle in for one last drive to the airport, around 20 minutes away. Return your trusty hire car, stuff your suitcase to the brim with boxes of pasteis de nata and check in for your return flight.
You’ll spend around four hours in the air – plenty of time to start dreaming up your next Portuguese getaway...
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
