Wakacje Madeira - holidays and trips

The island is a green sub-tropical paradise. Thanks to the constant temperature of approximately 24°C – it is called the land of eternal spring and is attractive for tourists all year round. You will be captivated by the ubiquitous colourful flowers, green vines, diverse scenery with breathtaking precipices and scenic waterfalls.

The magical island is 500 km from the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from Europe. Out of habit Madeira is called an island, but it is in fact an archipelago - there are more islands. In addition to Madeira, the largest of the Islands is Porto Santo (approx. 40 km from Madeira) with a beautiful beach. The archipelago is created also by two groups of small islands: Ilhas Desertas and Ilhas Selvagens. Tourism, alongside the production of Madeira wine and agricultural crops, is the main source of income for residents of the island. The hotel offer is characterised by a very high standard. Until recently, Madeira was for tourists from Poland only an unfeasible and difficult to access point on the map. But, like anywhere in the world, you can also find Polish traces here. There is a hypothesis that Władysław Warneńczyk survived the battle of Varna and found refuge on the island of Madeira. Marshal Piłsudski also spent a few winter months here on the recommendation of a doctor. Madeira Island offers many attractions to its comers. The whole world knows well the festival of flowers that takes place in May - this is when beautiful floral compositions appear on the streets of Funchal. In June there are wonderful displays of fireworks, which begin the holiday season on the island. Madeira is not only flowers, but also wine - at the end of the summer, the Madeirans invite people to their homes to taste their own wine products. In the capital of the island, Funchal, a wonderful displays of fireworks takes place on New Year's Eve - it is worth welcoming the New Year here. Those who are thirsty for sensations will like the island during the carnival period - the streets of Funchal are full of lively colourful parades.

PORTO SANTO
There are many islands with beautiful beaches, but Porto Santo is a beach with an island! The last beach paradise in Europe, where mass tourism has not yet reached, and the sea of golden sand that you can have all to yourself. Until recently known only to travellers, is is approx. 40 km from the north coast of Madeira, is 11 km long, 7 km wide and a population of approx. 4.5 thousand inhabitants, of which approximately 3 thousand live in Vila Baleira, the island's capital and its only town. The most famous resident of Porto Santo was Christopher Columbus, who spent three years here before setting out for America, and supposedly he met the love of his life here. The town has typical Portuguese architecture, with white houses and winding streets, there are many local bars and restaurants here serving fresh fish and local wine. The biggest attraction here is the fantastic 9-km long sandy beach that goes all the way to Ponta de Lacheta, and the wonderful emerald sea. For enthusiasts of active relaxation a fantastic, beautifully located 18-hole golf course has been prepared.

MADEIRA
A green garden of the Atlantic and the land of eternal spring - you will be captivated by the ubiquitous colorful flowers, landscapes with majestic cliffs and weather all year round. FUNCHAL The Capital of Madeira stretches from the coast with a beautiful harbor to the hills which can be reached by a cable car. Numerous events are organized here: the Flower Festival in May, bustling parades in the carnival, a spectacular firework display on New Year's Eve. There are plenty of cozy pubs and restaurants, the most climatic are in the old part of the city, colorful markets, the most famous is Mercado dos Lavradores - you can buy there exotic fruits, original costumes or hand-made tapestries. Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint offers the most beautiful panorama of Funchal.

ISLAND OF FLOWERS
Strelitzia, called the paradise bird, is a symbol of Madeira for a reason. The island is famous for its blooming flowers and gardens with tropical vegetation which can be found only here. The most popular is Jardin Botanico in Funchal with 2 thousand plant species.

LEVADAS
Levadas hidden in the forests - unique irrigation channels along which about 1,400 km of trekking and walking routes have been created is one of the main tourist attractions. This is a great way to get to know the island - along the Referta levada there are exotic farmlands, banana groves, you can admire the famous Eagle Rock - Penha d`Aguia and the picturesque village of Porto da Cruz, on the Rabacal levada route you can see the Risco waterfall, the cascade of "25 sources" and UNESCO-listed ancient laurel forest resembling the scenery from the film "Jurassic Park". Madeira for you The island has a lot to offer the nature and architecture as well as folklore enthusiasts. A perfect place for a commemorative photo is Santana - an open-air museum with traditional houses with thatched roofs, picturesque rock formations at Ribeira da Janela and the majestic cliffs around Ponta Delgada and Arco de São Jorge. To learn more about the island's history you have to visit the lava caves of Multimedia Volcanic Centre in São Vicente. It is also worth stopping in the beautiful Camara de Lobos - a fishing village with traditional buildings, once a favorite place of Winston Churchill as well as visiting the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum in Funchal, necessarily... Climb one of the largest cliffs in Europe - Cabo Girão and admire the breathtaking panorama of the coast, take a Toboggan - a wicker sleigh from the Monte hill, ride a cable car over Funchal, take a cruise in search of whales and take a bath in natural lava pools in Porto Moniz.

ACTIVELY
Mild climate and temperature not falling below 15 degrees create there perfect conditions for sports all year round. On the island there are golf courses Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra, the most popular are paragliding, diving, jeep expeditions, bike trips, primarily downhill and of course trekking - the most popular route leads through the three highest peaks of Madeira: Pico Arieiro, Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo, all over 1800 m a.s.l.

MADEIRA FLAVORS
The main ingredient of the Madeiran cuisine are fishes, like tuna or espada which can be found on the coast of the island, and the richness of exotic fruits causes the head to spin: maracuya, mango, papaya, avocado, bananas straight from the plantation or monstera deliciosa or banana-ananas. You must try the traditional poncho - a drink made of sugar cane vodka, honey and fresh lemon juice as well as the famous Madeira wine, produced only here for over 200 years.

HOW ABOUT GOING TO THE BEACH?
The island has two sandy beaches - in Machico and Calheta, made of sand imported from the Sahara. However, there are mostly pebble and gravel beaches, as well as bathing places - platforms with descent to the ocean and artificial terraces with pools with seawater.

The centre of the island — cable car ride over the rooftops of the city of Funchal to the Monthe hill. Visiting: the sanctuary of Our Lady on Monte hill, tropical garden with Madeira's relic endemic vegetation. The picturesque mountain road leads to the heart of the island, where from panoramic terraces of Eira do Serrado you can admire the breathtaking view of the mountain precipices. A drive to a secluded village, the Valley of the Nuns, tasting the local specialty - liqueurs with chestnut, chocolate and passion fruit flavors. The route leads to the other side of the mountain range, to Câmara de Lobos - a typical fishing village with a charming port, Winston Churchill's favourite place. Optionally: a crazy downhill ride on wicker sleighs from Monte Hill (additionally payable: 15 EUR/person). Day trip. Price - from approx. 83 EUR (includes: lunch with drinks, entrance to visited structures, tasting liqueurs, Polish guide care); from hotels from the east of the island - approx. 85 EUR, from the west and the north - approx. 92 EUR.

The west of the island — a unique opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views, e.g. the highest cliff in Europe, Cabo Girão. The route of the tour takes you through a typical fishing village Ribeira Brava to Encumenada pass, from where in favourable weather conditions you can watch the panoramic view of the north and south coasts. A drive through the ancient laurel forest (under the patronage of UNESCO) to the picturesque village of Sao Vincente. A visit to the Multimedia Volcanic Centre in São Vicente. A drive along the north coast to the popular resort of Porto Moniz and admiring the natural lava pools. Passage through the remarkable "Madeiran Tundra", the Paul da Serra plateau. A drive to Madalena do Mar - the legendary estate of King Władysław of Varna. Day trip. Price - from approx. 61 EUR (includes: lunch with drinks, entrance to visited structures, Polish guide care); from hotels from the east of the island - approx. 67 EUR, from the west and the north - approx. 71 EUR.

The east of the island — visit to the Botanical Garden with 2,000 species of flowering plants, a small aviary and panoramic views of the entire city. A drive to Pico de Arieiro - the third largest peak of Madeira (1818 m), from which, in good weather, you can see the crown of the island and the spectacular mountain landscapes. A drive through the world's largest valleys, covered with ancient Laurisilva laurel trees, to Ribeiro Frio village with a state-owned trout farm. A visit to the heritage park of traditional houses with thatched roofs in the village of Santana, admiring the cliff landscape of the peninsula of St Lawrence, vantage points with a panorama of Eagle Rock, the islands of Porto Santo, Desertas and the runway of the airport supported on 180 columns. Day trip. Price - from approx. 60 EUR (includes: lunch with drinks, entrance to visited structures, Polish language guide care); from hotels from the east of the island - approx. 65 EUR, from the west and the north - approx. 76 EUR.

Evening with fado and Madeiran folklore — dinner in a traditional restaurant comprised of specialties of the cuisine: espetada (grilled meat) with polenta (fried cornmeal), soup, salad, boiled vegetables, dessert. The dinner is accompanied by the performance of a folk band (singing and dancing, traditional instruments) and then a concert of Portuguese fado songs performed by one of the best female singers on the island. Price - from approx. 37 EUR (includes: lunch with drinks); from hotels from the east of the island - approx. 42 EUR, from the west and the north - approx. 60 EUR.

Levada — Madeira is famous for its canals, which provide every corner of the island with water from the mountains. They were built here already in the days of the first Portuguese colonizers. Along the canals many trekking routes of varying difficulty were created. Please bring: sports shoes, clothing suited to changing weather, drinks and lunch. The prices include transport and the care of an English-speaking mountain guide.

Levada Rabacal — level: average, approx. 13 km, trekking time: approx. 4 h, on the route: the high waterfall Risco and cascade "25 springs" consisting of many waterfalls, the UNESCO-protected laurel forest Laurissilva. Price - approx. 33 EUR; from hotels from the east of the island - approx. 37 EUR, from the west and the north - approx. 37 EUR.

Funchal — a visit to the city market where the inhabitants of Madeira meet. Located in the heart of the center of Funchal, the market offers the best fruits, vegetables and flowers on the island and local gastronomy and crafts. A walk through the historic city center: the port area, the 15th-century Manueline style cathedral, the Madeira parliament building, the citadel of St. Lawrence and the statue of Józef Piłsudski. Visiting the famous "Old Blandy Wine Lodge" winery, getting to know the production process of the exceptional Madeira wine, which has its unique taste due to its aging in oak barrels. Tasting. A drive to the Pico dos Barcelos (355 m) lookout point, which offers a panoramic view of the entire city. Half-day trip. Price - approx. 34 EUR (includes: entrance tickets, wine tasting, Polish language guide care); from hotels from the east of the island - approx. 40 EUR, from the west and the north - approx. 60 EUR.

Levada to Furado — trekking on the levadas, unique irrigation channels. Level: medium, approx. 11 km, trekking time: approx. 5 hours. Route starts at Ribeiro Frio in the commune of Santana. Along the way there are wonderful views of the valleys and the peaks of the island. Stop and lunch at the old Herdade do Lombo das Faias farm. Continuation of trekking along the levada to Furado, an opportunity to admire the endemic flora and fauna of the laurel forest (so-called Laurissilva). Trekking ends with a descent to the Portela village. One should take suitable clothing and trekking footwear. Price - from approx. 43 EUR (includes: transport, supervision of a Polish-speaking guide, lunch at the farm).

 

Local excursions are organized by local travel agencies under the conditions fixed by them. It's possible to disorganize trips due to low number of applicants.