16 Nov 2024
Our guide for the day was Dino. Friendly, humorous and informative. Pick up was easy, a stone’s throw from our hotel in Funchal. The Land Rover can fit 8 people but there were only 3 on our tour. We headed west out of Funchal and then north to Serra de Agua where there was a quick pit stop for coffee and pastel de Natas then onwards and off road climbing through the forest up towards Estanquinhos. There were stops along the way to walk a levada and admire and photograph the stunning views. Eventually, we emerged onto the plateau and headed northwest onto the eerie forest at Fanal and its 800 year old trees. From there the tour descends to Ribera da Janela and it’s photogenic rocky islet before continuing west to Porto Moniz for an excellent and typically Madeiran lunch, tomato soup with a poached egg in it (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it) and tuna with pepper and onions. After lunch and exploring the natural pools we followed the coat east to Seixal with its black volcanic beach and big breakers. Last stop was Sao Vincent’s for a taste of Madeira wine and a cheeky Pescador’s Poncha before heading back to Funchal.