6-Nights Madeira and the Azores: An Active Culinary Adventure - Tailormade Journeys — CALL

1 Arrive Madeira, Portugal

Gushing waterfalls, verdant jungle, and endless sun — Madeira is a subtropical Atlantic Island ripe for exploration. In the charming capital Funchal, everywhere you turn there is a view. The small city is a vertical wonder, where cable cars ferry people up and down, and everything is tiered into the hills. Madeira’s fortified wine is world-renowned, thanks in part to the island’s levadas, spring-fed irrigation channels which have shaped the landscape and local culture. These tranquil aqueducts double as walking trails through verdant forests and mist-filled valleys, past natural swimming pools and waterfalls — offering an intimate bonding with the natural world.

Begin your exploration of Funchal with an ascent to the hillside village of Monte via cable car, taking bird’s-eye views of the bay and lush mountainous landscape. Then, descend back into town aboard a traditional wicker toboggan. Speed down winding pathways, taking in the thrill and beautiful surroundings as you’re expertly guided by two carreiros (sled drivers) clad in traditional white attire. Once you’ve caught your breath, delve deeper into the capital with visits to the city’s iconic Gothic cathedral and Mercado dos Lavradores (farmers’ market).

Today, hop aboard a 4x4 for a for a culinary adventure into the island’s rugged interior. Your guide finds the perfect spot for a picnic you’ll never forget, revealing the island’s hidden treasures along the way.

Head to Funchal’s harbor for a luxury catamaran cruise eastward to Cabo Girão, towering sea cliffs that soar some 2,000 feet above the ocean. As you sail the open Atlantic, keep watch for the dolphins and whales that frequent the waters around Funchal. Then, drop anchor at the foot of Cabo Girão to snorkel amid the marine life. Sail back to the harbor at a leisurely pace, taking in more fantastic views along the way. Later, visit a local winery on an A&K-exclusive experience. See the winery’s old cooperage, aging rooms, museum and private family collection, finishing in the vintage room, where you sample flights paired with local delicacies. A tasting of their iconic 1920 Bual completes this sublime experience. Learn how each bottling of this 1920 vintage is unique, owing to variations in heat, humidity and cask size.

Set out on a guided hike up to the peak of Pico do Arreiro, one of Madeira’s highest points. Celebrate your summit with a scenic picnic as you take in the spectacular view. Next, visit the iconic Santana straw houses, traditional thatched cottages that embody Madeira’s rural charm. Alternatively, delve into the history of Porto da Cruz, a coastal town known for its historic rum factory and picturesque waterfront.

Remote, wild, and intoxicatingly beautiful, the Azores archipelago is a little Portuguese secret. São Miguel is the largest island, with a dramatic landscape of crater lakes, steaming fumaroles, and rolling green hills. Highlights include the twin blue and green lakes of the massive Sete Cidades caldera; the serene Lagoa do Fogo, another epic crater lake surrounded by steep, lush slopes perfect for hiking; and the geothermal hot springs, steaming vents, and bubbling mud pools of Furnas. The palate isn’t left behind; authentic Azorean cuisine is the ultimate in earth-cooked comfort food. You will also find delicious Azorean cheeses, local wine from Pico Island, and Europe’s only tea plantations.

Soak in the hot springs of Terra Nostra’s 100-year-old botanical gardens and take a tour of the Gorreana Tea Plantation — the only one in Europe.