This is a fascinating landscape, with its high mountains and deep valleys covered by exotic vegetation and colourful flowers.

Add to these attractions the charm of the small villages and the cosmopolitan rhythm of the capital, Madeira, and you have plenty of good reasons to set off and explore every corner of the island.

The Transport system is top quality and varied. So choosing exactly how you will explore the island is up to you, and you can count with Quinta da Casa Branca to be installed in paradise.

Eira do Serrado - Monte

Duration: Half day

Leave Funchal on the road to Pico dos Barcelos. When this panoramic viewpoint is reached, don’t rush past. Instead, enjoy the view over the town of Funchal, with the Deserted Islands in the background.

Follow signs onward to Eira do Serrado. Along this winding road, make the best of a small detour affording spectacular views over the Valley of Ribeira dos Socorridos. To reach the Eira do Serrado viewpoint, you will have to walk for 15 minutes.

Once you are there, let yourself bathe in a sensation of plenitude, as you look out over fantastic scenery.

To return to Funchal, follow the signs to the district of Monte.

Finally, climb the long stairs to the Church of Our Lady of the Monte. Emperor Karl I, the last monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was exiled in Madeira in 1921, and is buried in the chapel beside this church.

Strong sensations await you at the end of the day. The best way to get back down to Funchal is by taking one of the carros de cestos (basket cars), which make their way down the sharply winding the curves. You must trust the skills of the drivers (carreiros), and their braking system, which depends upon their boots. But after all, this is a traditional means of transport.

Santana - Machico

Duration: Full day

Leave Funchal on the road to Poiso. Arriving in Poiso, you can choose to take a detour to Pico do Areeiro, the third highest point in the Island, at 1810 m.

Back toward Poiso, head through the Laurissilva, or primitive forest of Madeira, toward Ribeiro Frio. This is a place blessed by especially rich vegetation, with plants unique to the island.

You might want to take a short walk of 30 mins through the Levada dos Balcões. This will offer you views of the fascinating scenery of a beautiful valley.

The next stop is Faial. From its small fort you can admire the imposing rock of Penha d’Águia. At the bottom of it, because of erosion, the Island appears to have advanced over the sea.

Go back to the main road and follow it towards Santana. Here triangular houses, with thatched roofs and picturesque gardens, compose one of this island’s traditional picture postcard images.

Have lunch in one of the village’s traditional restaurants and then follow the road to Queimadas.

This is a forest park, with luxurious vegetation, where you can take a lengthy walk beside lakes and over little bridges. Go back to Santana, crossing Faial again, but now head towards Porto da Cruz.

Go up to Portela and admire this fascinating view. Following this road, continue to the town of Machico. Now it’s time to go back to Funchal. The day is ending, but the night still has many mysteries in store.