Overview
Itinerary
Start the day with a visit to a 150-year old family run ceramic factory where we will learn about the process of creating traditional Portuguese pottery. Then, it's your choice! Take a stroll through the natural beauty of Terra Nostra Botanical Park -OR- rest and relax in the park's thermal water pool. In Furnas Valley, experience a cozido das Furnas lunch, cooked in the heat of the volcanic earth.
After lunch let the green, lush beauty of Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Natural Park surround you as you stroll through the natural landscape and take in the watermills so typical of this place. Then head to the verdant pastures of a tea plantation, one of two in Europe, and delve into its cultivation methods and trade history before heading back to Ponta Delgada. The evening is yours to do as you please. (B/L)
Begin your day with a tour that will take you to Câmara de Lobos, a traditional village on a picture-perfect bay which served as a special retreat for Sir Winston Churchill. It was here that Madeira's natural beauty captivated him and inspired many paintings of the village. Drive along mountain roads, passing banana plantations and vineyards en route to the world's second-highest cliff, Cabo Girão where you can walk on the highest glass skywalk in Europe.
Continue to a sugar mill and learn about the importance of sugar cane production to the island in the15th century. Sample local specialties made at the mill before leaving for the lively fishing village of Porto Moniz. Here enjoy free time for a swim (weather permitting) in the natural volcanic rock pools before returning to Funchal. (B)
Your adventure opens in Lisbon where Old World traditions blend seamlessly with modern ways. Experience Portuguese cuisine, regional wines and folkloric entertainment among colorful buildings and winding pathways.
Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner. (D) Stay: Lumen Hotel (3 Nights)
Set out on a tour of Lisbon and uncover some of the city's most famous sights. Travel to Belem where the age of Portuguese Maritime Discoveries comes to life at the Monument to the Discoveries and the Tower of Belem (UNESCO). Go to downtown Lisbon, and enjoy some free time to have lunch, take in the intricate architecture, and explore the beautiful streets. You can choose to return to your hotel and relax or enjoy the free afternoon to continue exploring Portugal's capital city.
This evening, over Portuguese cuisine and wine, listen to local artists perform the traditional Fado (UNESCO). (B/D)
Today travel to Sintra (UNESCO), the summer residence of Portuguese royalty and visit the National Palace. Enjoy some free time for lunch on your own and explore this storybook town at your own pace before returning to Lisbon. Enjoy some free time to continue exploring the city, or join an optional tour on the Portuguese Riviera. This late afternoon option will transport you to the coastal towns of Cascais and Estoril. (B)
To the Azores! Fly to St. Michael, the largest of the 9 volcanic islands that form the Azores archipelago. On a brief walking tour of Ponta Delgada's town center, see the Portas da Cidade (the City Gates), and several of the main architectural sights that make up this unique island capital. Enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant featuring traditional Azorean cuisine. (B/D) Stay: Azoris Royal Garden Hotel, Ponta Delgada (4 Nights)
Start the day with a visit to a 150-year old family run ceramic factory where we will learn about the process of creating traditional Portuguese pottery. Then, it's your choice! Take a stroll through the natural beauty of Terra Nostra Botanical Park -OR- rest and relax in the park's thermal water pool. In Furnas Valley, experience a cozido das Furnas lunch, cooked in the heat of the volcanic earth.
After lunch let the green, lush beauty of Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Natural Park surround you as you stroll through the natural landscape and take in the watermills so typical of this place. Then head to the verdant pastures of a tea plantation, one of two in Europe, and delve into its cultivation methods and trade history before heading back to Ponta Delgada. The evening is yours to do as you please. (B/L)
Make the most of a day at leisure. Perhaps you will take an optional whale watching adventure and cruise over the waves with an expert biologist followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Regardless of your Azorean activities during the day, gather in the late afternoon to explore a local pineapple plantation and learn more about this species introduced to the island by Portuguese navigators. Then, enjoy a cocktail and dinner in one of the best family-run restaurants of Ponta Delgada. (B/D)
Today visit the iconic Sete Cidades volcanic crater and peer down at its twin lakes. The lakes appear to be different colors - one blue (reflecting the sky) and the other green (reflecting the ground). Learn about the stories and legends associated with the two lakes before journeying to a boutique, family-run winery where the volcanic soil plays a key role in the end product.
After, travel to the quaint town of Ribeira Grande where we will have time free time for lunch. End your full day of touring with a visit to Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Nature Reserve, where watermills and nature create a lush, otherworldly setting. (B)
Fly to Madeira, the “Pearl of the Atlantic.” After our afternoon arrival, we will embark on a walking tour of the capital city of Funchal, to get our first glimpse at the quaint old town and some of its main sights. Then, discover the Madeira Botanical Gardens as you make your way through a terraced landscape of more than 2,000 exotic plants. (B) Stay: Pestana Casino Park Hotel (4 Nights)
Explore the Lavradores market, a hub of exotic fruits, flowers and a traditional fish market. The local culture comes to life here! A tasting at a Madeira wine lodge teaches you about the famous Madeira wine. Head to the colorful Santa Maria Street, where vibrant murals and brightly painted doors liven the streets and the many cafes tempt you to linger over lunch on your own.
A free afternoon provides more time to explore or to relax and enjoy your hotel's garden, pool and spa. Gather again this evening for a traditional espetada dinner, feasting on local cuisine cooked over an open fire amidst a backdrop of folk dancers and lively music. (B/D)
Begin your day with a tour that will take you to Câmara de Lobos, a traditional village on a picture-perfect bay which served as a special retreat for Sir Winston Churchill. It was here that Madeira's natural beauty captivated him and inspired many paintings of the village.
Drive along mountain roads, passing vineyards en route to the world's second-highest cliff, Cabo Girão where you can walk on the highest glass skywalk in Europe. With the Madeira banana always in the spotlight, you will find immersive history of this nutritional fruit at BAM, before leaving for the lively fishing village of Porto Moniz. Here, enjoy free time for a swim (weather permitting) in the natural volcanic rock pools before returning to Funchal. (B)
The day is yours to explore independently. Or, perhaps you will embark on a full day optional tour of the island. Start with an easy trek along the island's levadas, and learn about this unique watering system. Then travel to a Quinta for a lunch with views of the Atlantic. End with a visit to the traditional A-frame houses of Santana, a reminder of the island's farming past. (B)
Board your flight and return to the metropolitan energy of Lisbon. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Later, bid “adeus” to Portugal during a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D) Stay: Lumen Hotel
Depart for home with Portugal in your heart as your tour ends today. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Gaze upon the pristine twin lakes of Sete Cidades.
- Visit Funchal's Lavradores market, a fruit and exotic flower paradise.
- Experience a night of Fado (UNESCO) and learn about this traditional art form.
- Discover stunning St. Michael, the largest of the Azorean islands.
- Explore the island of Madeira, known as the "Pearl of the Atlantic."
- Tour Lisbon & Sintra and uncover their old world charms.
- Experience a truly unique cozido das Furnas lunch in Furnas Valley.
- Enjoy a traditional dinner in Madeira, known as an espetada, and local folkloric entertainment.
- Taste Madeira wine and learn why this wine had such an important role in the history of the Island.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.
- Arriving Flight: The closest arrival airport is Lisbon (LIS) Airport
- Departing Flight: The closest departure airport is Lisbon (LIS) Airport
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Gaze upon the pristine twin lakes of Sete Cidades.
- Visit Funchal's Lavradores market, a fruit and exotic flower paradise.
- Experience a night of Fado (UNESCO) and learn about this traditional art form.
- Discover stunning St. Michael, the largest of the Azorean islands.
- Explore the island of Madeira, known as the "Pearl of the Atlantic."
- Tour Lisbon and Sintra and uncover their old-world charms.
- Experience a truly unique cozido das Furnas lunch in Furnas Valley.
- Enjoy a traditional dinner in Madeira, known as an espetada, and local folkloric entertainment.
- Taste Madeira wine and learn why this wine had such an important role in the history of the Island.
- Expertly crafted itineraries
- 4-star+ accommodation
- Skilled and engaging tour managers
- Expert local guides with insider knowledge
- Attraction entrance fees
- Many meals full of local flavour
- Unparalleled sightseeing
- Enriching cultural experiences
- Comfortable on-tour transportation
- Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
- Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour
- This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.
- Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive tour bookings. This personalised service is included within a 40km radius from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart airport gateways. Service is available between 41-70 kms for a small fee.
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Trip Optionals These optional activities can be pre-booked & included in your trip price.
- Location: Sao Miguel, Azores. Cost: $182.
- Go searching for gentle giants on a whale watching excursion! Venture out into the blue Atlantic and search for some of the 28 species of cetaceans. Learn about the culture of whales in the Azores from an expert biologist, detailing the social shift of whale treatment in the area. From whale hunting to whale watching, you’ll understand the cultural evolution that has led to respecting these peaceful animals in present day. Sperm whales, pilot whales, and pods of dolphins frequent the Azorean waters, and you might be able to catch some blue whales or fin whales migrating through the area. After you’re back on land, reflect on your adventure with a lunch featuring local flavors. Duration approximately 4 hour(s). Transportation is not included A minimum of 6 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. This optional tour is weather-dependent and may be cancelled without previous notice. If cancelled due to weather, you will be reimbursed. Please note, this option is not suitable for people with back problems due to impact by waves.
- Location: Madeira Island. Cost: $126.
- Explore Madeira's eastern side with a full-day optional tour which combines Madeira's stunning natural landsacapes with some of its early history. Start with a visit to Pico do Arieiro, one of Madeira's highest peaks where, on most days, you can stand and look down on the clouds. Follow with an easy trek along the island’s levadas, and learn about this unique watering system. Then travel to a Quinta for lunch with views of the Atlantic. End with a visit to Santana's traditional A-frame houses, constructed with triangular rooftops protected by straw. While most of these homes are no longer lived in, they are a reminder of the island’s farming past. Duration approximately 7 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. Levada walk is approximately a one-hour walk in moderate terrain. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2022-24)
Brochure
Collette Worldwide (2024-25)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Collette. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Collette. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
