Madeira. The floating garden, the jewel of the Atlantic, the island of perennial Spring
Madeira is justifiably famous the world over for its unique array of native flora and fauna and its stunning botanical gardens and parks. In April visit the 'botanical equivalent of the Rio Carnival' -the Madeira Flower Festival! Year round, a 'Gardens and Parks Tour' will reveal all that earns this magical island its envious reputation within the world of beautiful gardens.
A visit to Madeira's gardens at any time of year makes for a truly memorable experience. With our access to every tour operators programme to this wonderful island, using both charter and scheduled services, we can offer the widest range of accommodation and departure airports and most competitive prices of any holiday company. Our wide knowledge of gardens enables us to recommend itineraries from the simplest half day trip to a comprehensive tour programme, to discover all Madeira has to offer the garden enthusiast-either on organised excursions or with the flexibility and freedom of self-drive.
Enjoy Madeira, and don't feel a need to explore it all on your first visit, since your first visit is almost certainly not to be your last.
Christmas Lights in Madeira
Spend a week on this magical island over Christmas and be fascinated by the spectacular sights that the Christmas lights offer. This wonderful display of colour and light can be admired throughout the whole month of December.
Our special Christmas packages include one set menu dinner for guests at the Pestana Bay Hotel and two set menu dinners for guests at the Pestana Casino Park Hotel (one of these can be taken at the Casino de Madeira followed by a floor show).(offers excl.Dec 24th)
In addition there will be an evening tour of Funchal city centre (part on foot) to admire the display accompanied by an official guide.
For latest prices and availability from a choice of departure airports please ask our reservations team for 'Xmas Lights'.
The Madeira Flower Festival (17th and 18th April 2010)
For those who would like to visit Madeira for the Flower Festival itself, please call our reservations office for a quote as early as possible, since availability is limited and it is THE most popular time to visit. Whether self catering, a 3 star hotel or 5 star deluxe, you'll have the opportunity of enjoying the Festival, and perhaps taking in some of the wealth of other botanical splendours during your stay, be it a few days or a few weeks. Prices for this period inevitably are higher than most other dates. The Adult and Childrens parade as usual cover the Saturday and Sunday. Charter Flights normally arrive on the Monday prior, and 7 night stays depart on the Monday after the festivities. Other days are also possible using No-frills and scheduled carriers, but may incur a supplement, especially for late bookings.
Atlantic Holidays- the Madeira specialists.
Our holidays to Madeira are mostly operated by 'Atlantic Holidays,' a true specialist tour operator of repute for Portugal and its islands. Atlantic holidays is part of the prestigious Pestana group, Portugals most successful leisure company. Pestana own and manage 42 hotels and are joint owners with the Portuguese Government of 40 historical and regional hotels known as Pousadas of Portugal (much like the Paradors of Spain). We are proud to be representative agents of Atlantic Holidays, who can offer our clients the very best value holidays to Madeira from the U.K.
2010 holiday prices per person, sharing a double or twin room, bed and breakfast basis for 7 nights from London Gatwick:
3 star Dom Pedro Garajau from £289
4 star Pestana Bay from £399
5 star Pestana Grand from £429
Single room supplements from £6pppn (3 star)
Half Board available for supplement
Reginal airport supplements apply for all other UK airports.(please call for quote)
Gardens of Madeira Tour
The Gardens of Madeira tour includes an illustrated introductory talk by a qualified Lecturer who will describe the flora of Madeira. Visits will be made to 5 different gardens It will also feature a tour of Funchal with visits to the flower market, wine lodge and a handmade embroidery factory. There will also be an opportunity to explore or relax on your own.
The exceptional climate and volcanic soil of the island combine to create the perfect conditions for plants, trees and flowers from all corners of the world to thrive. Cedars, Sequoias, Gardenias, Freesias, Orchids, Mimosa, Bougainvilleas, Jacaranda, Hibiscus, Agapanthus and Poinsettias are just a few of the plants that flourish, creating impressive displays.
The garden tour may be booked as an add-on to any featured hotel of your choice from the Atlantic holidays brochure for just £159 per person added to the cost of the holiday chosen. This would include all tours, including entrance fees to the gardens and official English speaking guide.
Applicable departure dates for summer 2010 are currently May 17th, June 21st, July 12th, August 16th, September 13th and October 11th.
Walking Holidays
For those who enjoy walking, a delightful walking programme is also available for just £199 per person, added to the price of the package holiday that you have selected.
Levada walking is unique to Madeira. Narrow irrigation channels cover the whole of the island in a cleverly devised network. Our carefully selected walks follow these paths and lead you through farmland with banana trees, sugar cane and vines and past terraces that appear to hang precariously on the cliff edge.
The paths pass beautiful rushing waterfalls and gorges, precipitous cliffs and marshy high moors. The unspoiled valleys of the north take you back to a time before evolution.
Departure dates for these tours in summer 2010 are: May 10th, June 7th, July 5th, August 2nd, September 6th, October 4th and October 25th. Price includes four full days walks, transportation to and from the walks, including a 4x4 jeep safari excursion, lunch on all four walks and official English speaking mountain guide. Please call us for details or ask for a brochure.
Please note that minimum numbers are required for garden and walking tours to operate. On all other dates, and where a tour does not reach the minimum number required, the representative will be pleased to assist with booking excursions to gardens on a daily basis.