Magical Madeira: Adventure & Luxury, Portugal Style

by Tracy Husted, New Empty Nester

My husband and I just dropped off our youngest child at college, and one of the things we’re looking forward to in this next chapter is the opportunity to continue exploring the world together. My client’s recent trip to Madeira, Portugal is a great example of grabbing empty nester and active retiree status by the horns.

You may be thinking, “Wait, did you say Madeira? Like the dessert wine? Isn’t that in the middle of the Atlantic somewhere?” Well, yes, this at first seemed like an unusual request. My client John was inspired by a TikTok video featuring Madeira as “the Hawai’i of the Atlantic.” A retired fighter pilot and solo traveler for this trip, John is a self-described adrenaline junkie and wanted to experience all of the adventures on the island with small groups of like-minded travelers. He also sought luxurious accommodations and high-end gastronomy, and he wanted his itinerary planned out with every detail included, from route info to the best restaurants in every destination to tours and excursions every day. This clearly was not your typical Portugal trip. With a lot of research and with help from Titanium Tours, one of our favorite Portugal specialist partners, I put together a pretty special adventure for John. Read on to see the full itinerary and why John says his trip was “perfect, the right place at the right time doing the right things with the right venues. It was amazing.”

Madeira? Really?

Yes, really! Madeira is a small collection of islands in the North Atlantic, southeast of the Azores and closer, in fact, to Morocco than to mainland Portugal. Because of its isolation, most Americans wouldn’t think of Madeira as a destination unto itself, but it has become much more accessible since SATA Azores airlines began offering weekly nonstop flights to Madeira from New York (JFK). Now less than a 7-hour overnight flight away from the Eastern US and just a 5 hour time difference, Madeira has so much to offer beyond its eponymous wine, and is well worth the trip. It also doesn’t hurt that many of the luxurious accommodations and VIP experiences can be had for a fraction of what you might pay in mainland Europe or one of the better known, “ritzier” European islands, giving you a unique travel experience at a great value.

Many travelers choose to combine a few days in Madeira with a trip to other Atlantic islands (Portugal’s Azores, Spain’s Canary Islands), mainland Portugal, and/or Morocco. But my client wanted to see and do it all on the island of Madeira, and even with a full week we had to do some selective editing of his itinerary. Here’s what we came up with:

Funchal & the Southeast Coast

Arriving early in the morning at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (named for the famous footballer, a native Madeiran), John had a private driver to his first destination in Funchal, where he dropped off his bags at the hotel and hit the ground running (almost literally)!

Accommodation (3 nights): The Savoy Palace

Nestled near the harbor in Funchal, the 5-star Savoy Palace offers easy access to many popular sites, stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and delicious coastal cuisine. Featured as one of Virtuoso’s “Best of the Best” properties, the Savoy Palace offers guests lush botanical gardens; rooms and suites that mirror the natural beauty found right outside the balcony; several pools; restaurants that serve everything from light Portuguese bites to multi-course tasting menus; and the Laurea Spa, where guests can indulge in exclusive rituals designed to revitalize the mind, body, and soul.

Adventures & Experiences:

– In and Around Funchal:

• Madeira Food & Cultural Walking Tour – “tasting around” Madeira’s food and wine and with a small group, learning about the history and culture along the way
• Guided Hike of Madeira’s 3 Highest Peaks (Pico do Arieiro, Pico Ruivo, and Achadas do Teixeira)
• Sunset Yacht Cruise with Cocktails
• Gourmet Dinner at Il Gallo d’Oro, 2 Michelin-star restaurant at Hotel The Cliff Bay

– Southeast Coast Adventures:

• Kayaking and Snorkeling Tour in Garajau Underwater Nature Reserve (Caniço)
• Coasteering and Cliff-Jumping in Baia d’Abra (Caniçal)

The North Coast – Boaventura, São Vicente, and Porto Moniz

After 3 nights in Funchal, John rented a car and drove along the coast and through the eastern mountains to arrive on the north coast of Madeira, stopping at several breathtaking viewpoints and the town of Santana along the way.

Accommodation (2 nights): Terrabona Nature & Vineyards – Wine Country and Wellness Resort

Located in the lush Cardo Valley hills above Boaventura, this award-winning family-run vineyard has just recently opened luxurious villas for guests to experience wine tourism in an intimate setting. The accommodations are 1-bedroom “winehouse villas” with their own kitchen and living room, along with access to a tea garden, pool, and food and wine experiences. John said it was like “being in Jurassic Park…incredible…a very special place.”

Adventures & Experiences

• Wine Experience at Terrabona
• Dinner at Restaurante Calhau de São Jorge – a “hidden gem” traditional restaurant with sea views
• SCUBA diving in the Madeira Aquarium (Porto Moniz)
• Swimming in the natural lava pools of Porto Moniz and Seixal
• Wine tasting at Quinta do Barbusano ( São Vicente)

Calheta & the South Coast

John thought that two nights at Terrabona “didn’t do it justice,” but he was off to his final destination on the south coast the next morning, via another mountain road that he said was extremely challenging to navigate but had some more incredible views along the way. He arrived in Calheta ready to do some relaxing before his last adventures in Madeira.

Accommodation (2 nights): Saccharum Resort & Spa

Overlooking the sea, nested in a small natural shelter on the site of a former sugar cane plantation, Saccharum welcomes guests to a “sophisticatedly sweet surrender.” Located in Calheta, Saccharum Resort and Spa has been designed with a natural landscaping of exceptional quality allowing guests to enjoy both the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains.

Adventures & Experiences:

• Gourmet Tasting Menu dinner at Alambique at Saccharum Resort
• Canyoning in Curral das Freiras

I’ll leave you with a photo John shared with me, from Quinta do Barbusano winery:

He looks pretty happy at the winery, right? I hope that this post has shown you what an amazing destination Madeira can be, whether you seek culture, gastronomy, outdoor adventure, luxurious accommodations, VIP experiences, or a little of everything!

Visit us today at Legacy Travel Designs to schedule your complimentary travel planning consultation!