During our two-week stay in Madeira, we aimed to maximize our time and take in all the extraordinary experiences the island has to offer. We wanted to create lasting memories and reached out to INSIDER, a local boutique agency specializing in organizing customized trips for discerning travellers seeking unique experiences on the island of Madeira. The proposed itinerary was remarkable and included a private morning boat trip and a visit to the Museum of Sacred Art of Funchal, followed by a wine tasting on an exclusive terrace.
Our stay in Madeira included a visit to some of the best hotels, and our two-night stay at the Quintinha de São João Hotel was a delightful experience. Nestled just a short walk from the centre of Funchal, the hotel boasts traditional and classic decor, creating a serene atmosphere in its quiet gardens. The intimate size of the hotel allowed for a personalized and warm welcome from the staff, adding to the charm of our stay. The hotel's restaurant, “A Morgadinha”, served a delectable menu of traditional Madeira cuisine, further enhancing our cultural immersion.
When the day of our exclusive programme arrived, we got up very early and, following a lovely breakfast, we chose to walk to the Marina do Funchal, where our boat would depart. We then had a lovely wander through the streets of the city. However, I would recommend a taxi back up the hill on your return! It was nice to discover some of the streets and areas of Funchal that we had not yet discovered. We duly noted lots of cafes and restaurants frequented by the locals for future visits.
The Marina of Funchal is a focal point in the city and a hive of activity. A huge development project is also underway, aiming to take it to another level, including shopping and dining areas overlooking the harbour. We were on the lookout for our chartered boat, ‘Happy Hour Madeira’ which was soon found, and our awaiting crew welcomed us on board.
The sailboat was 11 meters long and had everything we needed, including an indoor cabin and an outdoor seating area. My husband and I spent the entire time enjoying the sea views and admiring the Madeira coastline from a unique perspective. Seeing the island from the sea gave us a different perception and allowed us to appreciate the mountainous backdrop and towering cliff tops. The boat trip also gave us the chance to see many of the coastal villages near Funchal. The crew acted as excellent tour guides, providing historical context, and commenting on many of the sights we saw. It was a pleasure to learn from two natives who had a great passion for Madeira and its culture.
All in all, it was such a relaxing experience. The two-man crew was extremely welcoming and attentive, providing us with drinks and a huge platter of fruit fresh from the Island. The return journey allowed us to lay back, relax and chill out with the soothing motion of the waves.
Our boat trip was a half-day experience. We returned to the Marina of Funchal just after lunchtime. Our next stop was the Museum of Sacred Art of Funchal, which has collections of paintings, sculptures, and jewellery, dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The museum's collections include Flemish paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, which arrived in Madeira during the so-called golden age of sugar cane production.
Our tour guide was a lovely lady who provided us with a basic understanding of painting and sculpture from the Gothic period to the Baroque, including the influence of Renaissance Humanism in Flemish and Italian Art. The museum is housed within the former Episcopal Palace, a building dating back to the 17th century.
I have to say that this appealed to me more than it did to my husband. But, as with our tour of Bordal, he soon became engaged and in awe of some of these amazing pieces of work, admiring not just the art but also the perfect state of preservation of the pieces. It is difficult to understand how such detail was achieved in some of the gold and silver sacred and religious pieces; they were truly breathtaking.
Following our tour of the museum, we had another very special moment. We had been granted exclusive access to the museum's rooftop terrace, where we would enjoy a selection of Madeira Wines.
We made our way up the stone stairwells to arrive at the top of the palace through double doors, which revealed a stunning view of the city which would be hard to find from any other location. A table for two was set with both chairs facing outwards to the rooftops of Funchal and the sea in the distance. We listened to the bells chime from the surrounding churches as we were introduced to our first Madeira Wine glass and accompanying cheese. We enjoyed 4 different types of wine, and each would be partnered with cheese, patties and finally, chocolate was served with the last wine.
The balcony had such incredible character. The Clay-tiled floors and tile panels on the walls, walls transported us back to another time. We sat, relaxed, and simply looked out at a city with such incredible charm, even from the rooftops. We did get that taxi back in the early evening to our hotel, where we had booked a table at the “A Morgadinha” restaurant. There, we enjoyed another example of the excellent local cuisine. Simply divine!
