Individual tours
Madeira 2024 & 2025

Discovered in 1419, Madeira tells very special stories. Stories of pirates, of which numerous forts such as the Forte São João Baptista in Machico or the Fortaleza de São Tiago in Funchal bear witness. Madeira also tells of the little people and their time-honoured traditions, such as the Monte basket sledge ride. And it tells stories of the really big names, including Winston Churchill and Cristóvão Colombo, better known as Christopher Columbus. You can get a taste of the past when you head to Caniço during your Madeira tour in a hire car. The small fishing village, so typical of Madeira, is still alive here with its bustling harbour, pretty churches and a fantastic sea backdrop.

In Santana, you will discover a Madeira landmark that adorns countless photos: the Casas de Colmo or Santana huts. The thatched roofs stretch low, almost to the ground, under which small natural stone houses are tucked away. People and livestock once lived here under one roof. You will realise that this must have been a rather meagre life when you enter a casa. The artful azulejos and the splendid baroque carvings of the local Iglesia Matriz form a clear contrast. In Santana, you will discover different faces of a time very close together.

The bubbling interior of the earth lifted Madeira up to 1862 metres in height and gave the island a stunningly beautiful mountain world. On this individual 12-day Madeira round trip, park your hire car for a little longer and set off on a hiking tour – perhaps from Pico do Arieiro to the island’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo. The route takes you into a fascinating mountain world that begins in dense, ancient forests and stretches towards the sky with rugged peaks above the clouds. Your path will take you over mountain ridges, up stone steps, through dark tunnels and perhaps even up the “Stairway of Death”.

A lush green magical world welcomes you to the rocks of the Risco waterfall and the 25 Fontes. Surrounded by an ancient laurel forest, you can breathe in the fresh air of a green oasis and almost imagine yourself in a tropical fairy tale between the imposing rocks and the delicate mosses and plants that sprout on the eternally damp wall. Dip your feet in the cool water and let yourself be captivated by the moment.

The islanders love to celebrate cooking and eating. Accordingly, Madeira cuisine, which is actually quite simple, is quite varied. Popular appetisers include lapas and gaiado, a fish related to tuna. Typical of Madeira main courses is espada, the black scabbardfish, which you will find on almost every menu. Fish and seafood are also served grilled, fried, deep-fried or steamed. In addition to tuna, you can also savour exotic fish such as bodião, the parrotfish, on the island.

Among the meat dishes, the espetada meat skewer is a culinary symbol of Madeira. Simply seasoned with bay leaf and sea salt, the skewers of beef, veal or chicken are grilled. Alongside pork, these are the most common types of meat in the local cuisine. They are served with side dishes of various vegetables, batata doce and milho frito. If it smells deliciously of fresh bread, it’s probably the bolo do caco. Both fish and meat are also given an exotic flavour with bananas in Madeira.

Fruit is also popular for snacking here, including unusual specialities such as the pineapple banana, the fruit of the Monstera deliciosa, which we cultivate as a houseplant. Bolo de Mel, a honey cake typical of the island, is a refined speciality that you should definitely try. Madeira also produces excellent wines and even distils its own rum, which is essential for poncha, among other things.

On our Madeira round trips, we take you on guided tours through various places and picturesque landscapes. But we also offer you a very special experience. For example, take a look behind the scenes on one of the banana plantations of the daily life of the farmers and learn many a culinary secret of Madeira cuisine.