Description
- Round-trip transportation from your Funchal Cruise Pier!
- 4x4 Open-top Vehicles!
- Professional, Experienced safari guide/driver!
- Visit Garajau, Ãguas Mansas, Portela, Santo da Serra, and Machico!
- Stroll along the market in Santo da Sierra!
- Several scenic photo stops!
Spend a Sunday exploring the countryside and small villages of Madeira island! You will have the opportunity to see how the people of Madeira live in their small villages, each of which is isolated from the others due to the terrain.
Your guide will meet you at your Funchal cruise port where you will climb on board your 4x4 vehicle for the day! No worries about getting the best seat, because they are all great! Some face forward, and others are on the side, so regardless of your vantage point you will see everything! And with your driver/guide behind the wheel, you just need to enjoy the scenery.
One of the highlights of your experience is in Garajau on the coast, which is known for its beautiful marine reserve. As you wind your way along the back roads, you will reach Aguas Mansas where the lagoon is responsible for supporting agriculture, as well as providing drinking water. Moving into the more mountainous terrain, you will see Portela. Here you will view one of the most spectacular landscapes in all of Madeira. From the lookout point, you will have a breathtaking, panoramic view of the mountains, villages, and the sea!
The next stop is your primary destination for the day, Santo da Serra. Sundays are the weekly fair and market in the village which is very popular among locals. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells of this spectacular collection of vendors and mingle with the locals! All along the main road, you will find a wide assortment of food and other goods at very reasonable prices. After all, this is a local experience, so the prices reflect what they are able to afford. This tranquil village is set on a plateau that overlooks Machico. There are stunning views of the surrounding forest, populated by chestnut, acacia, and elderberry trees. In many ways, Santo da Serra is a throwback in the time since their agricultural endeavors are still carried out using the techniques of older generations.
When you depart Santo da Serra, you will head down to Machico on the coast. It is here that the first settlers began to cultivate sugar cane in the 15th century. It is a beautiful village with mountains to the west and forests and grasslands toward the interior. Machico was actually the first capital of Madeira and the site first settled by explorers.
At the end of your adventure on the island, you will have had the opportunity to interact with the locals and experience a bit of their life. Not many experiences allow you to do that! Having a wealth of wonderful memories to share, you will be driven back to your Funchal cruise port.
Where we meet
For the Funchal Country Delights 4X4 Off-road Excursion, you will meet your driver/guide right on the cruise pier. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.
Cancellation
For the Funchal Country Delights and Santo da Serra Market 4X4 Off-road Excursion, we issue full refund for your deposit or full payment to us if: Canceled by client prior to excursion date with a minimum of 24 hours prior notice by email to reservations@shoreexcursioneer.com.
For cancellation reasons below, you must contact us via email within 14 days after your excursion:
- Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
- Your ship skips/misses the port.
- Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
- A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
- Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
- Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.
