In Transit: Depart on international overnight flight to Lisbon.

Arrive To: Upon arrival at the airport your Group Leader will meet the group. Transfer by private coach to the hotel in Lisbon.

Afternoon: Depending on your arrival time, your Group Leader may be able to lead you downtown by public transportation or bring you on a short walk around the area of the hotel, pointing out the local transportation depots. At 5:00 PM, meet the group at the hotel for a welcome drink. The remainder of the evening is on your own. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist you regarding restaurants and activities.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own.

Lodging: Holiday Inn Lisbon

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: This morning take a coach transfer to the Lisbon airport for the flight to Funchal. Upon arrival in Funchal a private coach awaits the group for the transfer to the hotel in Funchal (112 feet), Madeira.

Afternoon: Orientation walk to the town center, where you will see Funchal's beautiful sights and splendid gardens. This area is absolutely lovely and is considered a leisure zone by locals. It is lined with palm trees and bordered by splendid botanical gardens, offering wonderful views of the sea and magnificent sunsets. Welcome drink and orientation briefing before dinner.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Pestana Village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Southwest Coast - approximate walking time is 3 hours. Field lectures will be "How the Fertile Region is Cultivated" and the wine of the region.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet served at the hotel.

Morning: Walking field trip along the Levada through one of the most fertile regions of the island where vineyards alternate with vegetable gardens. Breathtaking views along the steep Cabo Girao (1932 feet) coast, and the second highest sea cliff in the world.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Drive along the southwest coast to Punta de Pargo, the westernmost point of the island. Below this terrace are small vineyards and vegetable patches that can only be reached by boat, for the natives every bit of land is precious.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Lodging: Pestana Village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Botanical Garden / Levada da Serra do Faial - approximate 3 hours of walking. Field lectures will educate the participants regarding the plants indigenous to the area and the Azores. Basket weaving will also be introduced as one of the strong industries of this region.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast served at the hotel.

Morning: Today an excursion to explore the Botanical Gardens created in the 1960s on the grounds of the Quinta do Bom Sucesso, overlooking the town, with most of the plants being indigenous to the area or from the Azores. The next destination is Camacha (1200 feet) where upon approaching the village bundles of long canes will be noticed as this is basket country where wicker working is a strong industry.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Walking field trip along the Levada da Serra do Faial with an excursion to the church of Monte. The twin towers of the church are visible from all over the town of Funchal. The afternoon will end with a fun toboggan run sitting on baskets!

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own. You may take a shuttle into town to try one of the local establishments.

Lodging: Pestana Village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Porto Moniz - approximately 2 hours of walking, and a chance to swim in the natural pool. Field lectures regarding the region of the Paul da Serra and the Porto Moniz natural bathing pool.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast served at the hotel.

Morning: Travel by coach in the direction of Ribeira Brava, a seaside resort at the mouth of a steep valley. Free time to buy your own picnic lunch. The walk begins on the plateau “Paul da Serra” (6100 feet) for a romantic walk through a wooded area.

Lunch: Picnic lunch while on the trail.

Afternoon: At this point the coach will transfer the group to Porto Moniz to relax in its large natural bathing pool. A stop will also be made at the sea side before the coach transfers the group back to the hotel.

Dinner: Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Lodging: Pestana Village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Ponta Sao Lourenco - approximately 3 hours of walking. Field lectures regarding the "first spot where humans set foot on the island". Portuguese BBQ on the trail.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast served at the hotel.

Morning: Machico is the spot where humans first set foot on the island and it’s a perfect base for a vacation. A very nice Levada walk is planned through the fertile landscape before continuing on to Ponta de Sao Lourenco, here the landscape becomes drier and it looks almost lunar. Stride along the serrated line of cliffs tapering into jagged rocky islets.

Lunch: Special Portuguese BBQ will be served during the walk including a "Fado Experience."

Afternoon: Walk along the Levada do Casteljo through picturesque small orchards. Coach return to the hotel.

Dinner: Upon returning to the hotel feel free to take the shuttle into the town and try out one of the local establishments cuisine.

Lodging: Pestana Village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Gardens of the North - approximately 3 hours of walking. Field lectures will include the geological and botanical aspects of the Pico do Areiro, Ribeiro Frio, and the thatched cottages (huts) of Santana.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast served at the hotel.

Morning: Private coach to the green north coast, with a stop on the Pico do Areiro (5937 feet) to experience the magnificent views of the region before continuing on to Ribeiro Frio where hydrangeas and agapanthus line the way for most of the year. A brief walk in the woods will be made in this area, where many other indigenous plants and bushes reside. Continue to the next stop, Santana, known for its triangular thatched cottages, which have become an island icon.

Lunch: Lunch will be taken at a local establishment.

Afternoon: Enjoy another walk along the Levada do Castelejo through picturesque small orchards. Coach transfer back to the hotel.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Pestana Village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Market Day in Funchal - approximate 2 hours of walking. Field lecture regarding the inhabitant lifestyles, and the economics of Funchal. History of the Funchal cathedral.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet served at the hotel.

Morning: Today begins with a walking field trip to the colorful market in Funchal where you find vendors selling fish, vegetables and fruit. After the market, walk along the harbor with an excursion to the cathedral.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own in Funchal.

Afternoon: Independent in the town of Funchal, or return to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon around the pool. Group Leader will give further ideas of optional sightseeing in the area.

Dinner: Special farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Lodging: Pestana Village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet served at the hotel.

Morning: Private coach transfer to the Funchal airport for flight to Lisbon.

Afternoon: Remainder of the day is independent. The Group Leader will be able to suggest ideas of what to do and see in Lisbon.

Lodging: Holiday Inn Lisbon

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast served at the hotel.

Morning: Private coach transfer to the Lisbon airport. Program ends.

Meals Included: Breakfast