loading spinner
Portugal

Winter in Portugal: The Colorful Island Culture of Madeira

Program No. 23492RJ
Explore the landscapes of Madeira, the “island of eternal springtime,” during the quieter winter months. Sea-faring tradition, exotic plants and sweet treats await on this lush island.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Feb 2 - Feb 9, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Jan. 27, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Feb 9 - Feb 16, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 03, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Filling Fast!
Feb 16 - Feb 23, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 10, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Filling Fast!
Feb 23 - Mar 1, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 17, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 8 - Mar 15, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 02, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 15 - Mar 22, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 09, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Filling Fast!
Mar 22 - Mar 29, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 16, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon' (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Filling Fast!
Nov 8 - Nov 15, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Nov. 02, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Nov 15 - Nov 22, 2024
Starting at
1,899
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Nov. 09, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Jan 24 - Jan 31, 2025
Starting at
1,999
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Jan. 18, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Jan 31 - Feb 7, 2025
Starting at
1,999
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Jan. 25, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Feb 7 - Feb 14, 2025
Starting at
1,999
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 01, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Feb 14 - Feb 21, 2025
Starting at
1,999
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 08, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Feb 21 - Feb 28, 2025
Starting at
1,999
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 15, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 7 - Mar 14, 2025
Starting at
1,999
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 01, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 14 - Mar 21, 2025
Starting at
1,999
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 08, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 21 - Mar 28, 2025
Starting at
1,999
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 15, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Nov 7 - Nov 14, 2025
Starting at
1,999
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Nov. 01, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Nov 14 - Nov 21, 2025
Starting at
1,999
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Nov. 08, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Feb 2 - Feb 9, 2024
Starting at
2,209
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Jan. 27, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Feb 9 - Feb 16, 2024
Starting at
2,209
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 03, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Filling Fast!
Feb 16 - Feb 23, 2024
Starting at
2,209
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 10, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Filling Fast!
Feb 23 - Mar 1, 2024
Starting at
2,209
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 17, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 8 - Mar 15, 2024
Starting at
2,209
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 02, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 15 - Mar 22, 2024
Starting at
2,209
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 09, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 22 - Mar 29, 2024
Starting at
2,209
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 16, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon' (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Nov 8 - Nov 15, 2024
Starting at
2,209
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Nov. 02, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Nov 15 - Nov 22, 2024
Starting at
2,209
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Nov. 09, 2024 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Jan 24 - Jan 31, 2025
Starting at
2,319
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Jan. 18, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Jan 31 - Feb 7, 2025
Starting at
2,319
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Jan. 25, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Feb 7 - Feb 14, 2025
Starting at
2,319
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 01, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Feb 14 - Feb 21, 2025
Starting at
2,319
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 08, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Feb 21 - Feb 28, 2025
Starting at
2,319
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Feb. 15, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 7 - Mar 14, 2025
Starting at
2,319
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 01, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 14 - Mar 21, 2025
Starting at
2,319
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 08, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Mar 21 - Mar 28, 2025
Starting at
2,319
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding March 15, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Nov 7 - Nov 14, 2025
Starting at
2,319
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Nov. 01, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

Nov 14 - Nov 21, 2025
Starting at
2,319
Special Offer

Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Nov. 08, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) and receive free air from one program to the next!

At a Glance

When explorers first laid eyes on Madeira, they could hardly believe the haven of beauty that stood before them. Black lava pools curled at the feet of stoic volcanoes, lush subtropical forest gave way to plummeting cliffs, and bird-of-paradise flowers sat vigil over the island. Thanks to its position between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, Madeira grew up as an important trading post, and today the island is as rich in tradition as it is lush in landscapes. Experience the best of this “island of eternal springtime” during the quieter winter months, while floral scents still fill Madeira's sea-washed air but the crowds have thinned. Uncover the history behind its vital artisan industries, explore its world-renowned vistas and variety of endemic plants, savor its eponymous wine, and more on this remote but lush island.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking 2-3 miles per day, uneven terrain, steps, cobble stones and steep slopes all around the island.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Explore the many gardens and forests of Madeira— also known as the floating garden of the Atlantic—including the renowned Botanical Gardens, featuring 2500 species of endemic plants of the island.
  • Learn about the island’s most important industries as you visit a local wine cellar, an embroidery factory and a sugar mill.
  • Soar to the tops of Funchal’s hills by cable car for breathtaking views before returning on an exhilarating toboggan ride.

General Notes

Give us a call to combine this learning adventure with select dates of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) for even more learning in Southern Europe! We’ll even transfer you for free between locations. This program can only be combined in the following order : "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" followed by "Winter in Portugal: The Colorful Island Culture of Madeira".
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Ana Cristina Silva
Ana Cristina Silva is a Portuguese group leader and certified by SNATTI, a union of Portuguese group leaders, managers and drivers. She has worked on Madeira Island for over 30 years guiding and leading groups. Her knowledge is constantly growing as years go by with her natural interest in subjects such as social life, history and botany. Fluent in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish, she loves sharing Madeira with visitors.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Ana Cristina Silva
Ana Cristina Silva View biography
Ana Cristina Silva is a Portuguese group leader and certified by SNATTI, a union of Portuguese group leaders, managers and drivers. She has worked on Madeira Island for over 30 years guiding and leading groups. Her knowledge is constantly growing as years go by with her natural interest in subjects such as social life, history and botany. Fluent in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish, she loves sharing Madeira with visitors.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Portuguese: A Modern History
by Barry Hatton
Barry Hatton, veteran journalist and commentator on Portugal, shines a light on this enigmatic corner of Europe by blending historical analysis with entertaining personal anecdotes.
Eyewitness Guide Portugal
by Eyewitness Guides
A compact, visual travel guide to the country featuring hundreds of photographs and drawings, an excellent overview of the culture and history of Portugal and good information about where to go and what to do. With many excellent regional, local and neighborhood maps.
Journal of a visit to Madeira and Portugal (1853-1854)
by Isabella de França
Isabella de França was an English woman, married to a portuguese merchant and owner of numerous properties on the island of Madeira. This is her diary describing her trip to Madeira and Portugal, in the years 1853 and 1854. It contains the description and watercolors of her entire stay, the walks around Funchal and other places on the south coast of the island.
Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empirer
by Roger Crowley
This epic narrative history by bestselling author Roger Crowley (City of Fortune, MED185) chronicles the rise of Portugal as the small nation forged a dominant share in the global spice trade. His cast of characters (the ambitious King Manuel I, marauding governors and intrepid seamen) built a trade monopoly with the ferocity of a holy crusade, forever shifting Europe's center of power from the Mediterranean to Western Europe.
Scandal in Madeira : the story of Richard Thomas Lowe
by Roy Nash
A Traveller's History of Portugal
by Ian Robertson
A lively, admirably concise survey from prehistory to the present, great for travelers to Portugal who would like an overview of the country's history and culture.
Top 10 Travel Guide: Madeira
by Eyewitness Guides
Compact guide to Madeira.
Lonely Planet Portuguese Phrasebook
by Clara De MacEdo Vitorino
A handy pocket phrasebook for Portuguese basics, covering pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.