Tell me about Funchal and Madeira

[wesp]

What is there to see and do on Madeira? Is this a good port stop for going out on your own? Can you recommend any tours (ship sponsored or otherwise)?

 

Thanks.

 

Wesley

[Bev]

Hi

DH and family members and I sailed on the Spring Galaxy Transatlantic. Here’s the information I gathered for our stop in funchal, Madeira:

 

Bendix Tours Madeira

Rua Velha da Ajuda, 10 B - Edif. Colinas do Lido

9004-559 Funchal / Madeira

Direct Telef.: + 351 291 700352

Fax: +351 291 764159

 

http://www.bendixtours.com/ig/index.htm

 

I dealt with: Rita Bendix

Manager Groups Incoming Madeira

rita.bendix@bendixtours.com

Mobil: +351 91 991 8849

 

 

I initially contacted 5 companies and received replies from 3 of them; messages for 1 were returned undeliverable. The other wrote to tell me a virus had ruined his system and he’d get back to me in a few days but he never did; he is also only able to offer taxi services for 4 persons. Per person prices offered by the other companies ranged from 30 Euros for full day tours and 20 Euros for half-day tours. Celebrity offers some full day tours at $98/125 and some half-day tours at $45 – 69 per person.

 

I was pleased with the responses and pricing offered by Bendix Tours and decided to work with them. Their tour descriptions are similar to those found in the Celebrity Shore Excursion guide or on the Celebrity web site:

 

Full Day Island Tour

From Funchal to Câmara de Lobos, Pico da Torre, then to Ribeira brava, Canhas and Paul da Serra plateau, Porto Moniz (stop for lunch – not included), São Vicente along Madeira’s most romantic regions with several waterfalls. On return to Funchal, stop in Cabo Girão- 2nd highest sea cliff in the world.

 

Full Day in Madeira’s Mountains

"Pico do Arieiro" ( 1810 m), with fantastic views over the whole island. Ribeiro Frio, Faial with stop for lunch. (not included), Porto da Cruz, the oldest town of Madeira – Machico, to Pico do Facho and Ponta de São Lourenço and Caniçal a former whale station village.

 

Half Day Câmara De Lobos /Botanical Garden /Market

From the harbour to Câmara de Lobos, to Pico da Torre, then visit to the Botanical Garden and visit is to the market place “Mercado dos Lavradores“ in Funchal, with it’s fish, vegetables, fruit and flowershop

 

Half Day Eira do Serrado and Monte

Viewpoint of Pico dos Barcelos (350m), to Eira do Serrado (1094m) panoramic view over the Nun`s Valley "Curral das Freiras", taste famous "Ginja" cherry liquor and Madeira honey cake. Visit Monte, church of "Nossa Senhora do Monte" and possibility to descend to Livramento in traditional toboggans.

 

Half Day Madeira handy crafts and flowers

Visit to a small village Camacha, the island’s wicker work centre. Stop in the Botanical Garden, visit the embroidery factory “Patricio e Gouveia” to see famous hand made Madeira Embroideries.

 

Bendix Tours offers the full day tours at 135 Euros (approx. US$170) and the half-day tours at 71 Euros (approx. US$90) for the minibus which seats 8. Lunch and entrance fees are extra. Bendix Tours offers a minibus for 8 persons with an English speaking driver/guide – the minibus would be waiting at the Funchal harbour and return us there.

 

Bev

[cruzzer]

We are so excited to have booked this cruise.

 

Thanks for the wonderful info!

You could be a travel writer. Are you?

 

Thanks again,

Lois

[babu666]

I stopped in Funchal on the May trip east on the Lirica. There is not a lot to see on the island. One ship tour took us by bus up the mountain to one of the lookout points from which we could look out over a mountain town below. Note that there is no farm machinery on the island; so farms are small. Lots of stuff have to be imported.

 

The city hypes its flowers and parks, which are great at the right time of year.

 

As the crow flies, the distance to the mall, easily seen across the harbor, is short. In reality, it requires a 20 minute + walk or cab ride. Maybe your ship will arrange a shuttle bus.

 

The highlight of the island is the cable car ride from the harbor area up the hill to an historic church. You can come done from the church via the same cable car or by a sled which is guided and speed-controlled by men holding onto the sides of the sled. At night, you can see the church on the hill by the lights which form a cross.

 

Don't expect merchants to gladly cash a 20 euro bill for a 2 or 3 euro purchase. babu