Walks in the Floating Garden

• Luxury family-run ***** hotel: pool, tennis, fine cuisine
• Fully guided gentle walking: magnificent coastal and mountain scenery
• Paradise of emerald seas, exotic flowers, rare birds of prey
• Forgotten hill villages, colourful fishing ports, historic Funchal
• Lovely temperate climate; hospitable, generous people

Madeira is like a giant botanical garden with plants from all over the world. Our base in Funchal is the ***** Quinta da Bela Vista, one of the most exclusive hotels on Madeira. Secluded between the mountains and the sea, and with sweeping views across the Bay of Funchal, this recently extended manor house is the epitome of understated luxury. And it has been in the same family for over 150 years!

All the rooms are stylishly furnished and you'll come across original paintings and rare antiques throughout the buildings. There are two fine restaurants (small supplement to be paid locally for the a la carte dining room), heated outdoor swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and tennis court. A regular complimentary shuttle service is provided to and from Funchal (5-10 mins), and there are beautifully established private gardens if you simply want to relax.

Your walking guide will take you by minibus to all the corners of the island, and paths along levadas provide access to remote hill villages. Lunches are either copious picnics or are arranged for you in local restaurants en route. There's a boat trip to the little visited island of Porto Santo, where Christopher Columbus once lived.