Overview
DAY 1 | Funchal
During the morning, your guide will lead you to a relaxing panoramic tour to the city center passing through the Marketplace where you can admire a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish and feel the local vibe and way of life.
Explore the narrow streets of Funchal center and enjoy a private visit followed by lectured wine tasting at a wine cellar. You will be treated with some of their best wines.
Lunch (not included) will be served at a typical traditional restaurant with a familiar ambient, well decorated and cosy. Try their fresh meat, fresh grilled fish, live seafood in a aquarium and specialties typically Madeiran such as the traditional “Meat-on-a-spit”.
During the afternoon, pass through the old part of town and visit to the Botanical Garden wide variety of trees and plants, brought from all over the world, some of which endemic.
Get to know the first chapel built by the Portuguese in its maritime expansion in the 15th Century.
Located in the park of Sta. Catarina, see the chapel of Sta. Catarina, one of the first erect on the island. The church dates from the 15th century and was originally constructed in wood. It is believed this was the first church built on the island, founded by Constança Rodrigues, the wife of João Gonçalves Zarco (1390-1471).
Zarco was one of the first explorers to establish settlements on the island and the first captain of Funchal. In the 16th century, the present stone church was built. The stone font and bell both display elements of distinctive Manueline design.
The Santa Catarina Park contains several aviaries as well as a number of stone monuments. This commemorates the arrival of refugees from Gibraltar during World War II.
