Madeira Interlude
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Highlights:
While enjoying the many activities that both Porto and Lisbon can provide, why not take a break and visit the island of Madeira, part of Portugal and blessed with temperate weather all year? Known for its wine, Madeira is also a haven for cyclists both semi-pros and weekend wanderers.
This could be a very nice honeymoon or anniversary with a few tweaks to the itinerary or it could also serve the needs of a multi-generational family trip.
While enjoying the many activities that both Porto and Lisbon can provide, why not take a break and visit the island of Madeira, part of Portugal and blessed with temperate weather all year? Known for its wine, Madeira is also a haven for cyclists both semi-pros and weekend wanderers.
This could be a very nice honeymoon or anniversary with a few tweaks to the itinerary or it could also serve the needs of a multi-generational family trip.
SKU:
Explore: Madeira
Customizable Itinerary - 12 Days (from $6,423 / person)
Day 1: USA-Lisbon
Tonight you board your aircraft for the flight to Lisbon and the start of your custom vacation to Porto, Lisbon and Madeira.
Day 2: Arrival in Portugal
Upon arrival in Lisbon you will connect to a flight to Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your elegant hotel. You have the rest of the day to relax before enjoying dinner at the hotel.
Dinner
Day 3: The World of Port and the Music of Fado
In the morning you meet your guide for a tour of the Porto wine lodges that line the banks of the river in the main part of town. The grapes are grown in the Douro Valley (where you will visit tomorrow), they are harvested, crushed and placed in large barrels and brought down the Douro River in special boats. Once in the lodges (or warehouses) they are fortified and then placed on ancient casks to age. In many cases that will be for 25 years although 100 year old port is not uncommon. You will inspect the barrels and taste various types and vintages. In the evening you will be transferred to a restaurant which offers Fado, a soulful music unique to Portugal. A performance will follow dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: The Douro River Valley
Today you will leave Porto and head inland to the Douro Valley but you will still be close to the Douro River. You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Peso de Regua which is the main town of the Douro Valley. From there you travel to the quaint village of Pinhao in the heart of the Douro wine region. Here you board a Rabelo boat which has been modified from its original role of moving the barrels of wine down to Porto. You will enjoy a scenic cruise as you observe the terraced vineyards on each side of the river valley. After the cruise you enjoy lunch with wine at a vineyard villa before visiting two other family-owned vineyards to taste their wines. In the late afternoon you return to your hotel in Porto.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Porto to Madeira
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to the Island of Madeira which is also known for its fortified wine. In the case of Madeira it is normally, like Sherry, served before dinner whereas Port is normally served after dinner. You check in to your elegant hotel about a mile outside Funchal, the main town. Enjoy the gardens prior to dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Exploring Funchal
After breakfast you will meet your guide who will take you on a tour of the highlights of Funchal. You will start at Nossa Senhora du Monte which is the highest part of the town and was the home of the wealthiest citizens presumably because of the breeze. The historical way of getting down is a two person sled made from a woven basket and attached to skis. The “sleds” are controlled by a guide dressed in white and with a white hat who will carefully bring you down to the main level. You will then visit Garaju for beautiful coastal views and Cabo Girao which at 1,800 feet high is the highest cape in Europe. Stop at the quaint fishing village of Camara de lobos. You will finish up your tour at the main market, Mercado dos Lavradores which is a riot of color with its vegetables, flower and other items. The guide will suggest some places for lunch and leave you to explore on your own.
Breakfast
Day 7: Wine Regions of Madeira
Today you will be picked up for a full day tour of the island with a focus on wine which has been important to the island for over 500 years. You will return to the Camara de Lobos area which is one of the largest wine regions. Here you will learn the process of creating the classic Madeira fortified wine. You will then travel to the north coast and Sao Vicente to taste their wine. You then stop for a multi-course meal with each course paired with a complimentary wine. After lunch you will continue around the coast to Porto Moniz before returning to Funchal.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: Funchal to Lisbon
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Lisbon. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide who will take you on a tour of the city highlights including the stature of Vasco da Gama. You will also visit the Royal Coach Museum with the largest collection in Europe. You will then be delivered to your hotel where you have dinner overlooking the city.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: Cascais and Sintra
After breakfast you meet your guide and leave the city along the coastal road. You will pass by the resort of Estoril which is known for its casino. Cascais is your next destination. It is now a trendy coastal resort with many fine restaurants but was once a fishing village. You will then arrive in Sintra which was the summer palace of the Royal Family and the aristocracy. Even today, many wealthy people have “cottages” in the woods. You will be provided with bikes to take a leisurely ride through the woods admiring many of the houses. Your guide will then return you to Lisbon.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10: The Granary of Portugal
Today you leave Lisbon and head south to an area known as Alentejo. Since Roman times it has supplied crops to feed the country and wine to wash it down. You will visit the charming town with its Roman temple dating back to the 2nd Century. You will also tour the countryside include lunch at a vineyard followed by a visit to a mill creating the best olive oil. You then return to Lisbon.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: An Elegant Finale
As your trip winds down you have a special treat to remember your time in Portugal. Around midday you will be picked up and delivered to the wharf where you board an elegant yacht for a private cruise. During your cruise you will enjoy a lunch with wine as you enjoy the scenery and the ocean breeze. You return to the wharf and are transferred back to your hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 12: Return to USA
After Breakfast you will meet your driver who will escort you to the airport for your return flight to the USA.
Breakfast
Tonight you board your aircraft for the flight to Lisbon and the start of your custom vacation to Porto, Lisbon and Madeira.
Day 2: Arrival in Portugal
Upon arrival in Lisbon you will connect to a flight to Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your elegant hotel. You have the rest of the day to relax before enjoying dinner at the hotel.
Dinner
Day 3: The World of Port and the Music of Fado
In the morning you meet your guide for a tour of the Porto wine lodges that line the banks of the river in the main part of town. The grapes are grown in the Douro Valley (where you will visit tomorrow), they are harvested, crushed and placed in large barrels and brought down the Douro River in special boats. Once in the lodges (or warehouses) they are fortified and then placed on ancient casks to age. In many cases that will be for 25 years although 100 year old port is not uncommon. You will inspect the barrels and taste various types and vintages. In the evening you will be transferred to a restaurant which offers Fado, a soulful music unique to Portugal. A performance will follow dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: The Douro River Valley
Today you will leave Porto and head inland to the Douro Valley but you will still be close to the Douro River. You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Peso de Regua which is the main town of the Douro Valley. From there you travel to the quaint village of Pinhao in the heart of the Douro wine region. Here you board a Rabelo boat which has been modified from its original role of moving the barrels of wine down to Porto. You will enjoy a scenic cruise as you observe the terraced vineyards on each side of the river valley. After the cruise you enjoy lunch with wine at a vineyard villa before visiting two other family-owned vineyards to taste their wines. In the late afternoon you return to your hotel in Porto.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Porto to Madeira
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to the Island of Madeira which is also known for its fortified wine. In the case of Madeira it is normally, like Sherry, served before dinner whereas Port is normally served after dinner. You check in to your elegant hotel about a mile outside Funchal, the main town. Enjoy the gardens prior to dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Exploring Funchal
After breakfast you will meet your guide who will take you on a tour of the highlights of Funchal. You will start at Nossa Senhora du Monte which is the highest part of the town and was the home of the wealthiest citizens presumably because of the breeze. The historical way of getting down is a two person sled made from a woven basket and attached to skis. The “sleds” are controlled by a guide dressed in white and with a white hat who will carefully bring you down to the main level. You will then visit Garaju for beautiful coastal views and Cabo Girao which at 1,800 feet high is the highest cape in Europe. Stop at the quaint fishing village of Camara de lobos. You will finish up your tour at the main market, Mercado dos Lavradores which is a riot of color with its vegetables, flower and other items. The guide will suggest some places for lunch and leave you to explore on your own.
Breakfast
Day 7: Wine Regions of Madeira
Today you will be picked up for a full day tour of the island with a focus on wine which has been important to the island for over 500 years. You will return to the Camara de Lobos area which is one of the largest wine regions. Here you will learn the process of creating the classic Madeira fortified wine. You will then travel to the north coast and Sao Vicente to taste their wine. You then stop for a multi-course meal with each course paired with a complimentary wine. After lunch you will continue around the coast to Porto Moniz before returning to Funchal.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: Funchal to Lisbon
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Lisbon. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide who will take you on a tour of the city highlights including the stature of Vasco da Gama. You will also visit the Royal Coach Museum with the largest collection in Europe. You will then be delivered to your hotel where you have dinner overlooking the city.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: Cascais and Sintra
After breakfast you meet your guide and leave the city along the coastal road. You will pass by the resort of Estoril which is known for its casino. Cascais is your next destination. It is now a trendy coastal resort with many fine restaurants but was once a fishing village. You will then arrive in Sintra which was the summer palace of the Royal Family and the aristocracy. Even today, many wealthy people have “cottages” in the woods. You will be provided with bikes to take a leisurely ride through the woods admiring many of the houses. Your guide will then return you to Lisbon.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10: The Granary of Portugal
Today you leave Lisbon and head south to an area known as Alentejo. Since Roman times it has supplied crops to feed the country and wine to wash it down. You will visit the charming town with its Roman temple dating back to the 2nd Century. You will also tour the countryside include lunch at a vineyard followed by a visit to a mill creating the best olive oil. You then return to Lisbon.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: An Elegant Finale
As your trip winds down you have a special treat to remember your time in Portugal. Around midday you will be picked up and delivered to the wharf where you board an elegant yacht for a private cruise. During your cruise you will enjoy a lunch with wine as you enjoy the scenery and the ocean breeze. You return to the wharf and are transferred back to your hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 12: Return to USA
After Breakfast you will meet your driver who will escort you to the airport for your return flight to the USA.
Breakfast
