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.

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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.

What You'll Learn

  • 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! 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 trip experts
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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 Mary-Anne de Freitas
Mary-Anne de Freitas View biography
Mary Anne de Freitas is an experienced group leader and international courier with over 18 years in the travel industry, leading groups in Portugal and overseas. In addition to her master's in tourism management and planning as well as other education in tourism, she regularly participates in conferences to update her knowledge on the latest trends in the travel industry. She has worked for both local and international travel companies. Mary Anne is fluent in Portuguese, English, Dutch and French.
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.
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Year
2025
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date
Nov 14 - Nov 21
  • Jan 24 - Jan 31
  • Jan 31 - Feb 07
  • Feb 07 - Feb 14
  • Feb 14 - Feb 21
  • Feb 21 - Feb 28
  • Mar 07 - Mar 14
  • Mar 14 - Mar 21
  • Mar 21 - Mar 28
  • Nov 07 - Nov 14
  • Nov 14 - Nov 21
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Nov 14 - Nov 21, 2025 Itinerary Differences: Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Nov. 08, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) to combine two learning experiences in Portugal.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2025
  • 2024
  • 2025
Nov 14 - Nov 21
  • Jan 24 - Jan 31
  • Jan 31 - Feb 07
  • Feb 07 - Feb 14
  • Feb 14 - Feb 21
  • Feb 21 - Feb 28
  • Mar 07 - Mar 14
  • Mar 14 - Mar 21
  • Mar 21 - Mar 28
  • Nov 07 - Nov 14
  • Nov 14 - Nov 21
Nov 14 - Nov 21, 2025 Itinerary Differences: Enroll in this date preceded by the corresponding Nov. 08, 2025 departure of "Winter in Portugal: Rich History & Culture from Cascais to Lisbon" (#22583) to combine two learning experiences in Portugal.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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8 days
7 nights
13 meals
6 B 4 L 3 D
DAY
1
In Transit To Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive Madeira, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Funchal, Madeira Island
D
Meliá Madeira Mare Hotel & Spa

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions in our private meeting room. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Transportation will be provided primarily by private motorcoach, unless otherwise specified. The program activity level is Keep The Pace and will include up to 2-3 miles of walking on most days, with lots of uneven terrain, cobblestones and very steep slopes all around the island. The island of Madeira has many narrow, winding mountain roads, which can be disorienting at high elevations. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner with wine, coffee, tea, water included.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
3
Madeira Introduction, Porto da Cruz, Whaling Museum
Funchal, Madeira Island
B,L
Meliá Madeira Mare Hotel & Spa

Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day, uneven terrain; periods of standing on site. Getting on/off motorcoach, requiring going up/down a few steps; driving about 90 miles; approximately 6 hours total; stops for field trips.

Breakfast: At the hotel, the buffet features a variety of choices including hot and cold items, plus milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: We’ll start the morning in our hotel meeting room with an introductory lecture on Madeira by a local expert. Later, we’ll drive north of Madeira with our local expert and stop at Porto da Cruz, known in the past for its production of sugar cane and wine. Today, it is a popular center for surf and water sports. We will stop to explore the town as our expert leads us and offers insightful commentary before we continue along the mountain roads towards Santana to see the typical, colorful thatched roof cottages of the region, dating from the 16th century.

Lunch: At a local quinta, or country villa, located in its own vineyards.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, we’ll continue by motorcoach to the eastern parts of the island: Ponta de São Lourenço and Machico – the sites where the discoverers of Madeira first landed. Here, we will learn from our local expert about the history of the early settlements and the island's sea-faring traditions. We’ll also visit a nearby museum dedicated to the island’s whaling traditions before returning to our hotel.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Funchal, Typical Toboggans, Wine Cellar
Funchal, Madeira Island
B,L
Meliá Madeira Mare Hotel & Spa

Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles; uneven terrain, slopes and cobblestones, periods of standing on site. Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approximately 15 miles around the city; about 6 hours total; stops for field trips. Toboggan experience involves a rapid downhill ride over uneven surfaces; participants may opt out of this activity and ride down by motorcoach.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Setting out via motorcoach with our local expert, we’ll go on a visit to Funchal, including the Park of Santa Catarina with its statues of Henry the Navigator and Christopher Columbus, followed by a stop at a local Madeira wine cellar for a tasting and onsite lecture given by a wine expert about the history and production of the world-famous Madeira wine. We will continue to the 15th Century Cathedral – the first to be constructed outside of mainland Portugal. We will then head to the city center with its historic buildings and old quarters. Next, we’ll continue to a Madeiran embroidery factory where we will learn about this ancient artisan trade. We will stop en route at Funchal’s market to view the tropical fruits, which are an essential part of the island’s economy. We will end at the Fort of São Tiago (the fort of Saint James) for lunch.

Lunch: At Funchal's historic fortress of São Tiago.

Afternoon: Afterwards, we’ll continue to Funchal's Monte (hilltop) area by cable car for some breathtaking vistas. After a short break to enjoy the scenery, we will return part of the way to Funchal by “toboggan,” a once common means of downhill transportation. En route back to the hotel in the late afternoon. We will visit the renowned Botanical Gardens, which cover an area of 35,000 square meters and contains 2,500 species of endemic plants of the island.

Dinner: On your own to explore the local fare.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Madeira's West Coast, Laurisilva, Quinta da Casa Branca
Funchal, Madeira Island
B,L
Meliá Madeira Mare Hotel & Spa

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach, requiring going up/down a few steps; driving about 100 miles total; approximately 8 hours throughout the day; stops for field trips. Walking up to 2 miles total for the day; periods of standing during field trips. Many winding mountain roads throughout the day, much cooler temperatures at higher altitudes.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Boarding our motorcoach with our local expert, we’ll drive to Cabo Girão, the highest sea cliff in Europe at roughly 1,900 feet (580 meters). It offers spectacular and vertiginous views from the glass platform suspended over the ocean below. From the cape, we’ll transfer to the western side of the island stopping at Ponta do Sol. Here at the birthplace of the American writer, John dos Passos, we will learn about the Chicago-born "father" of Madeira. We’ll then continue to a nearby sugar cane mill where we will learn from our local expert about one of the most important small industries in the region as we discover the process of producing the local sweet drink, "aguardente" (firewater). While here, our expert will show us around the facility. Later, we’ll drive north to Porto Moniz, known for its crystal clear natural swimming pools that were formed by volcanic activity. On site, we’ll learn about the decline of the traditional fishing industry and the former whaling community of the island.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Next, we will drive south through part of Madeira’s endemic Laurisilva, a unique type of laurel forest that was once widespread throughout southern Europe and northwestern Africa. It is now a protected UNESCO site on the island. Aboard the bus, a local expert will provide commentary about the site, the animals, and the history. Later, we will go to Quinta da Casa Branca, a property which history begins in the mid 19th century when the British Leacock family started planting vines and banana trees on this ground. This family had started the Madeira wine trade with England in the mid 18th century and became one of the largest producers of Madeira wine until 1925. Here, we will enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with selection of cakes and scones as we admire unique species of trees and flowers in an atmosphere of serenity and explosion of colors.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to explore local cuisine. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
6
Jardim do Lago, Câmara do Lobos, Folklore Performance
Funchal, Madeira Island
B,L,D
Meliá Madeira Mare Hotel & Spa

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach, requiring going up/down a few steps; driving about 20 miles maximum; approximately 2 hours total aboard vehicle. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; uneven surfaces and cobblestones; periods of standing at field trip sites.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will head out by motorcoach for a visit to the Jardim do Lago, which features an extensive variety of trees and plants in its garden, many dating from the 18th century. Our expert study leader will enlighten us on the ecosystems and endemic plants of the island, many of which are endangered. Later, we will drive to Câmara de Lobos, originally a small fishing village. It was here that Winston Churchill spent many hours painting the picturesque scenery, during his time spent on the island. With our expert, we will visit a tavern to discover the local poncha – a powerful cocktail of a sugarcane spirit, lemon and honey. Next, we’ll head to a nearby venue where we will enjoy a traditional folklore performance, accompanied by light snacks and drinks, before returning to Funchal.

Lunch: On your own to sample more of the local fare.

Afternoon: Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Later in the afternoon we will enjoy a short talk given by a local journalist on life today in Madeira.

Dinner: At a local restaurant

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
7
National Parks, A Levada Walk
Funchal, Madeira Island
B,D
Meliá Madeira Mare Hotel & Spa

Activity note: Walking up to 3 miles total throughout the day; periods of standing during field trips; some uneven terrain on gentle morning trek. Getting on/off a motorcoach, requiring going up/down a few steps; driving about 30 miles throughout the day; approximately 4 hours total; stops for field trips.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Setting out from the hotel, we’ll ride to the central region of the island through lush valleys and national parks where we will view the highest mountain peaks of Madeira: Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo. The highest peak on Madeira Island, Pico Ruivo, reaches an altitude of about 6,100 feet (1,861 meters) and can only be reached on foot, but we will enjoy a scenic visit of the area by bus.From the national park, we will head to the valley of Ribeiro Frio where our local expert will lead us on a gentle nature walk through the local forest as we follow the route of one of Madeira’s levadas, or irrigation channels: Levada dos Balcões. Here, amidst magnificent mountain scenery, we will learn about the island's unique irrigation system, initiated by the earliest settlers and now comprising more than 200 water channels covering 1,864 miles of land. We’ll then return to Funchal.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: We’ll have time to relax and pack at the hotel or to enjoy some time in Funchal. Later, in the hotel lounge, our Group Leader will lead a wrap-up session to review program highlights and say farewell to new Road Scholar friends.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

DAY
8
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
In Flight
B

Activity note: Airport transfers begin at approximately 4:00 a.m. See your program’s “Transportation Information” regarding transfers. Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet, flight times permitting. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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