Gardens of Madeira
Fully
Guided
Nights
Half Board
Flights &
Transfers
- Explore the gardens of Madeira on this 7-night garden holiday to Portugal.
- Stay 7 nights in Funchal for easy access to the main sights of Madeira’s capital.
- Experience an East Coast Madeira excursion, including a visit to Santana.
- Visit a variety of wonderful gardens including Funchal Botanical Gardens, The President’s Garden & Monte Tropical Palace.
- Be accompanied by Iain MacDonald, a qualified and experienced gardener and guide throughout the tour.
- Enjoy free time to relax or discover more of Madeira independently.
Book Your Trip From €1818pp
Book Your Trip From €1449pp
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Iain MacDonald, a qualified and experienced gardener and guide, escorts this tour and will be available at all times to help and advise you. There will also be a local guide on some of the excursions.
Travel with us to Madeira and be inspired by wonderful Portuguese gardens. Madeira has become synonymous with the wondrous natural spectacle that is its green terraced mountainsides, dramatic rocky outcrops and picturesque villages. Known as the ‘floating flower garden’ the beautiful island of Madeira is situated off the north-west coast of Africa and warmed by the currents of the Gulf Stream. The island has a sub-tropical climate and all year round, the temperature is warm and the occasional rain showers mean that the island is lush and green. Madeira has an Eden-like beauty with its rich volcanic soil turning it into a botanical wonderland. The island blooms with colourful masses of orchids, bougainvillaea, frangipani, wisteria and geraniums. On this 7-night garden tour, we’ll experience the island’s breath-taking scenery with various excursions, including an East Island Madeira tour, a trip to the Botanic Gardens, where there are over 2,500 species of plants here and you can also see lots of exotic birds including parrots and hummingbirds. There will also, of course, be plenty of free time to explore Madeira at your own pace or simply relax on the coast. Discover this beautiful part of Portugal with us and see the top gardens of Madeira.
Trip Itinerary
Travel to Madeira
Travel to Madeira
Afternoon
Upon arrival in Madeira, we will be met by our local representative and transferred by coach to our hotel.
Botanical Gardens & Quinta de Boa Vista Orchid Garden
Botanical Gardens
Morning
We begin our day with a visit to the Botanical Gardens situated on one of the hills surrounding Funchal providing a spectacular view of the city and harbour. As well as the famous and colourful parterre, the gardens display aromatic and medicinal plants. Its arboretum is rich in Palms and exotic trees and it also has an impressive collection of cacti and succulents.
Quinta de Boa Vista Orchid Garden
Afternoon
After lunch at a local restaurant (included), we will visit Quinta da Boa Vista, an historic estate renowned for its extensive greenhouse collection of orchids and bromeliads from around the world. The informal gardens make the most of the mild climate to grown impressive tender shrubs and herbaceous plants.
East Coast Excursion
East Coast Excursion
Full Day
Fall in love with Madeira as we uncover the beauty and scenic Eastern side of the island, on a full day guided excursion with Iain and our local guide. Our journey takes us through the Laurel Forests to the highest peaks of Madeira, which are over 6,000ft. We'll stop for coffee at the sylvan Ribeiro Frio natural park located in the north of the island in a deep valley surrounded by mountains.
Our journey continues onwards to Santana famous for its typical thatched roof cottages before taking a well-deserved break for lunch. Lunch included at a local restaurant.
This afternoon our return journey brings us to the beautiful sights of the eastern side of the island with its craggy lunar landscapes and wonderful cliffs and views to the sea.
President’s Garden, Santa Catarina Park, Embroidery Centre and Flower Market
President’s Garden, Santa Catarina Park, Embroidery Centre and Flower Market
Morning
A short drive this morning to explore the garden of Madeira’s President, an intimate space with a series of stone edged beds overflowing with bedding, tender perennials and shrubs with an overhead canopy of mature evergreen trees and palms. Walk through the expansive Santa Catarina Park with its wonderful views to over the harbour. Small lakes, fountains and shrubberies punctuate its flowing lawns. Before lunch we visit the Embroidery Centre to see examples of the island’s famous craft and also the bustling Flower and Fish Market.
At Leisure
The afternoon is free and there is a choice to return to the hotel to swim or relax or explore the delights of Funchal.
Monte Tropical Palace & Quinta Das Cruzes
Monte Tropical Palace
Morning
Our full day excursion begins with a visit to the Monte Tropical Palace, one of the horticultural highlights of Madeira, containing a vast collection of plants in a spectacular landscape, high above Funchal, which includes two Oriental Gardens, lakes, cascades and a wonderful collection of plants. Also, a unique wall walk which depicts the history of Portugal in a series of tiled panels. Free time, at your leisure, for lunch in the café . There is also an opportunity to experience one of the famous ‘Toboggan’ rides! (Not for the faint hearted!)
Quinta das Cruzes
Afternoon
In the afternoon we visit the shady secluded garden at the prestigious Quinta das Cruzes. Today the house is now a museum, known for its antique Indo-Portuguese and European craftsmanship dating from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century.
Morning at Leisure & Palheiro Gardens
At Leisure
Morning
This morning we are free to explore more of our surroundings. Relax by the pool, stroll the promenades, shop in the local mall or discover the taste of some of local delicacies on offer and sample the traditional Poncha made with liquor and honey.
Palheiro Gardens
Afternoon
Join us this afternoon for an excursion to Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro, owned by the Blandy wine family since 1885 and famous for its variety of plants and their setting in the hills to the east of Funchal. A wonderful combination of an ‘English’ design with a collection of plants from all over the world.
Day At Leisure
Day At Leisure
Make the most of our final day on this beautiful island! Today we are free to explore! Our expert local guide & Iain will be happy to offer suggestions.
Return to Dublin
Return to Dublin
Today we say a fond farewell to Madeira as we depart for home.
Hotels Available
Know before you go
Will I be met at the airport?
You will be met on arrival at your destination airport and transferred to your accommodation. You will be accompanied on all included excursions by your Travel Department guide. Your expert local guide is also available to give you tips and advice on any aspect of your holiday.
Do I need a Visa?
Please visit our visa page for information on requirements for each country's entry requirements
What if there is an emergency?
We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.
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