SAVE up to £1,180 per person* on a Bordeaux River Cruise with Raymond Blanc. Book today >

Madeira Flower Festival with Christine Walkden
8 Days
From £1,779
In association with TS Tours
Check availability
Call now and book 02039934304 Quote ref: GHK TST MADEIRA WALKDEN
Check availability
Call now and book 02039934304
Quote ref: GHK TST MADEIRA WALKDEN
Email us
Enjoy a horticultural tour of this island’s many wonderful gardens and see the Flower Festival with the expert presenter and gardener

Unfortunately this trip is now sold out. However, we still have limited places available at a similar trip (without Christine Walkden). Please find more information here.

The volcanic island of Madeira is known as the "floating garden of the Atlantic" for good reason. This tiny island is a subtropical paradise, offering world-renowned gardens, spectacular coastlines and dramatic peaks.

Timed to coincide with the island's fabulous Flower Festival in 2023, this tailor-made tour will show you the horticultural highlights of Madeira with the company of a very special guest - horticulturist and presenter, Christine Walkden. Christine will join you at the festival one day before hosting an evening talk, and spend a day touring some of Madeira's finest gardens with you.

From the orchid nurseries at Palheiro Gardens to the vibrant colours of the Monte - Madeira is home to a huge array of exotic species, so there will be plenty for you to explore on the island. This eight-day tour includes visits to a wide range of gardens including the Funchal Botanical Gardens, the Quinta do Arco Rose Garden and the Garden of Quinta do Lago.

On Tuesday you'll spend time soaking in the sights, scents and sounds of Madeira's Flower Festival. Wander through the pretty streets of Funchal as they are filled with floral floats and parades as the island celebrates the beauty of flowers and plants.

Your hotel base during your stay will be the Hotel Enotel Magnolia, right in the heart of the island's capital Funchal - meaning you're in prime position to enjoy the flower festival's magical atmosphere. And when you get back from a busy day of exploring you can kick back in the bar, sauna, gym, or one of the hotel's two swimming pools.

Looking for alternative dates? Find our April 2023 trip to Madeira here.

To read more about this trip:
PDF
Download the brochure here

Reasons to book

Madeira Flower Festival

Enjoy the sights and scents of this delightful event, a month long celebration filled with performances and local traditions.

Explore Funchal

Explore the Old Town of Funchal, often called ‘Little Lisbon’ for its harbour and grand 18th-century buildings with shaded courtyards

Gorgeous gardens

Enjoy trips to Madeira’s Botanic Gardens, Palheiro Gardens and the gardens of Monte - you can see flowers from every corner of the globe

Stylish hotel

Your stylish five-star hotel has a relaxing spa and two swimming pools where you can chill out after a day’s exploring

Events with Christine Walkden

The gardening expert will join you for a reception and a talk, and join you as you explore the Flower Festival and several gardens

Incredible landscapes

Madeira’s east coast features some of the island’s highest peaks and the Ribeiro Frio National Park with incredible views
Share this trip
Tour brochure
PDF
Download a PDF tour brochure

Your expert guides

Christine Walkden
Horticulturist, broadcaster, author

Christine started her horticultural career as a ten-year-old, when she grew flowers and vegetables on her allotment to sell to teachers and neighbours. During her career, she has worked at The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, before moving into presenting on Gardeners' World, Christine's Garden, The Great British Garden Revival and the Royal Television Society Award-winning Glorious Gardens from Above. She is currently a panel member on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time.

Price includes

  • Return flights from London to Funchal (and transfers to your hotel)
  • Enjoy a walking tour of Funchal
  • Hear an insightful talk and join a drinks reception with Christine Walkden
  • Experience the Madeira Flower Festival in the company of Christine Walkden
  • Stay for seven nights at the four-star Enotel Magnolia hotel on an all-inclusive basis*
  • Enjoy visits to several of Madeira's best gardens, including the Botanical Gardens and the Jardin do Largo
  • Visit a typical winery and take part in a wine tasting
  • Eat a delicious afternoon tea at the Belmond Hotel, Reid's Palace
  • Visit Porto da Cruz, the centre of sugarcane cultivation, and enjoy a rum tasting

Also included: All transfers and tours as specified in the itinerary, visit to the Flower Festival, all entrances as specified in the itinerary, services of a professional English-speaking guide.

* Please note that whilst touring, meals and drinks are at an additional cost - only meals and drinks consumed at the hotel are included.

Availability

From
Wed, Wed, May 3, 2023
To
Wed, Wed, May 10, 2023
Duration
8 Days
Price per person
£1,779*
Sold out

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £600. Deposit: 20% plus flights. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded).

Call now to book 02039934304
Quote ref: GHK TST MADEIRA WALKDEN
Got any questions about this trip? Send us an enquiry

Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Arrive in Funchal
    Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

    Today you'll arrive in Funchal and meet your guide. You'll then take a transfer to your base for the week, the lovely Hotel Enotel Magnolia, where you'll have dinner.

    Meals - Dinner
  2. Day
    2
    Funchal
    Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

    Today you'll enjoy a walking tour of the island's capital, Funchal. First stop is the beautiful Santa Catarina Park in the city centre, followed by the 15th century Sé Cathedral. Afterwards you'll head to the famous market, "Mercado dos Lavradores". Take your time strolling through the lovely, colourful market streets where vendors sell fresh flowers, fruit and fish. You can also pay a visit to Funchal's most famous embroidery factory before enjoying some free time in the afternoon.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day
    3
    Eastern Madeira
    Ribeiro Frio National Park, Portugal

    Today you'll visit the east of the island. Your first stop is Camacha, the centre for basket weaving, a historic local tradition. You'll then visit the Pico de Ariero, the third highest peak in Madeira, and the Ribeiro Frio National Park where you'll visit a trout farm and have the opportunity to taste a typical Madeiran drink, Poncha.

    You'll then take a short, easy hike through the laurel forests to reach the "Os Balcones" viewpoint, where you can pause to take in some wonderful vistas. Then you'll head to the traditional town of Santana where you'll see some classic Madeiran stone houses with thatched rooves. After lunch you'll visit the beautiful rose garden Quinta do Arco, which has one of the largest collections of rose bushes in Portugal. Then it's on to Porto da Cruz, Madeira's centre of sugarcane cultivation, where you will take part in a delicious rum tasting.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day
    4
    Palheiro Gardens and Reid’s Palace
    Quinta do Palheiro gardens, Portugal

    After spending the morning at leisure, you'll take a short drive to the Palheiro Gardens. These gardens are famous not only for the variety of plants that grow there, but for the beauty of their setting in the hills to the east of Funchal. After the visit you'll head to the Belmond Hotel, Reid's Palace, for a delicious afternoon tea.

    In the evening there will be a drinks reception where you'll meet Christine Walkden before spending the day with her tomorrow.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day
    5
    Botanical Garden and The Madeira Flower Classic Auto Parade
    Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

    This morning you'll travel to the Botanical Gardens by cable car, where you'll spend time exploring the spectacularly manicured gardens with Christine.

    In the afternoon you'll spend time enjoying the incredible atmosphere of the 'Madeira Flower Classic Auto Parade' with Christine. This parade consists of a parade of classic vehicles, decorated with beautiful pieces of floral art, integrated in the festivities of the Flower Festival 2023. This event combines the glamour of classic cars with the flowers of Madeira, a unique opportunity for both visitors and residents to admire some of the best classic vehicles in the Region. This colourful event takes place along the Avenida do Mar and Comunidades Madeirenses and the parade will be accompanied by several musical bands and hundreds of participants dressed in costumes.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  6. Day
    6
    Monte Gardens, Quinta do Largo & Jardin do Largo
    Monte, Portugal

    Today you'll visit several of Madeira's best gardens in the company of Christine. You'll start with a trip to Monte, a village just outside of Funchal which is known for its warm climate and lush vegetation. Here you'll visit the Quinta Jardins do Imperador, a historic Manor House and gardens in the hills. Afterwards you'll head to the garden of Quinta do Lago. Built in the middle of the 18th century, this former manor house is now a luxury villa hotel with stunning views of the sea and the mountains. The villa is surrounded by botanic gardens which are home to rare examples of ancient trees and exotic flowers from all over the world.

    Meals - Dinner
  7. Day
    7
    Wine growing and tasting
    Eira do Cerrado, Portugal

    Today you'll head to the viewpoints of Eira do Serrado and Pico dos Barcelos, where you'll enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the bay of Funchal. You'll then continue on to Eira do Serrado, where a short walk will take you to a viewing point with beautiful vistas of the Curral das Freiras valley.

    In the afternoon you'll visit Madeira's wine-growing district, where you'll see picturesque wine terraces with hand built stone walls, overlapping on steep slopes. Madeira's volcanic soil gives its wine a distinct taste, which you'll learn all about on a visit to a typical winery. Here you'll also take part in a wine tasting so you can taste these unique flavours for yourself!

    Before dinner at the hotel, there will be a talk from Christine reflecting on the horticultural highlights of the day.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day
    8
    Departure
    Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

    This morning you'll have time for a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before your transfer to the airport in Funchal to return home.

    Meals - Breakfast

Enotel Magnolia

Enotel Magnolia

Just 800 metres from the centre of Funchal, the Enotel Magnólia hotel is close to the lush Quinta Magnólia Park and within walking distance of luxury shopping malls, restaurants and the bustling nightlife on Lido Promenade. It offers magnificent panoramic views, tranquil gardens and leisure facilities, including a solarium, games room, sauna, fitness centre, spa, indoor heated pool and outdoor pool.

View in Google Maps
Share this trip

Brought to you by

TS Tours
This tour is operated solely by TS Tours
TS Tours Ltd is the UK's leading specialist in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL-protected and financially bonded.

For general information, click here.

To view TS Tours’ supplier’s terms and conditions click here.

This tour is protected by the following:

Availability

From
Wed, Wed, May 3, 2023
To
Wed, Wed, May 10, 2023
Duration
8 Days
Price per person
£1,779*
Sold out

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £600. Deposit: 20% plus flights. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded).

Call now to book 02039934304
Quote ref: GHK TST MADEIRA WALKDEN
Email us