Landscapes of Western Madeira

It was a lovely holiday. The hotel was comfortable and friendly and the food was very good. Our favourite walk was number 9 from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo and back. We were lucky enough to have perfect weather on the day we did that walk. It is very busy but the views are beautiful and the route very well maintained with guard ropes at every point where you might feel exposed without them. We also enjoyed walk 3 around Ponto do Pargo and the one into the Rabacal valley. We also tried a couple of walks from a guide book, one of which uses part of the route from walk 2 from the hotel Jardim Atlantico in Prazeres but then went along the seafront to the far end of Paul do Mar and then up a zig zag path to Faja da Ovehla. From there you can walk up to the Levada Nova and follow that back to Prazeres to pick up the car again. It was about 11.5 miles round trip. Another one was from the top of the Achadas da Cruz telecabin station down to the shore. It's a steep path, a little exposed in places but not too tricky if you take it steadily.

We really enjoyed our first time on Madeira.  Walking into hidden valleys, along the well maintained levadas, was usually easy going and, although there were a few sections where there were steep drops to the edge of the path, vertigo wasn't a problem.  Quinta das Vinhas is situated about an hour's drive west of Funchal and is in a lovely peaceful area.  The walk from Jardim do Mar to Paul do Mar was absolutely fantastic - a pretty steep climb up, but fantastic views and easier going on the descent.  The Ponto do Pargo circuit was wonderful too. We were looking forward to sitting on the pretty terrace at the Casa de Cha after our walk, and sampling their legendary homemade cakes with a cuppa, but they only accept cash - and we'd forgotten to take any with us!  We took a taxi to Raposeira and walked back to the hotel along a 7 mile stretch of the Levada Nova.  It was a delight, especially the section after Prazeres which wound its way around steep ravines through ancient eucalyptus forests with lush flora everywhere - it was magical.

Quinta da Vinha was lovely, in an excellent location. Very quiet and peaceful but it was a pull from the cottage to the restaurant for breakfast! The walks were interesting and varied showing the varying terrain around different levadas and the longer range scenery. We had done the 25 fontes some 20 years ago and as we don't like crowds we stayed away. However we did take the risk on walk 4 which we enjoyed, only meeting two large groups. It was a very good walk for meeting large numbers of Madeiran firecrests which we could almost reach out and touch.

We enjoyed every walk we did. We agree that it is worthwhile starting the Risco Waterfall walk early to arrive before any tour groups.

The setting of Quinta das Vinhas was wonderful, breakfasts and evening meals were great. We enjoyed every walk we did - a great holiday.

We had a wonderful time in this relatively quiet part of Madeira. The accommodation was great, the food was good and the walks were well described and gave us a good feel for the variety of landscapes in Western Madeira. Walking on levadas way above the sea or in forested valleys was a unique experience.

Quinta das Vinhas is a great base for a walking holiday. Working vineyard full of colour and life even in mid February. Accommodation and meals good, with some good options within walking/short drive distance. Walking routes were well detailed. Some of the hills and lanes are very steep. 

We loved the weather and the staff were so friendly and helpful once we'd got over the arrival mess. In December the higher walks were not feasible but the lower ones were lovely if sometimes a look down was unwise ( and we note they lose several walkers every year over the abyss). The Quinta main dining area was closed and all meals in the wine bar which meant a steeper longer climb which we needed to get used to. Food good though and we had the break we needed. I think we'll remember it as the admin holiday as we took hours getting the locator form and online boarding right the day before holiday end. But where else could we get a warm walking holiday in shorts and tee shirt in first week December in a green landscape with friendly people.

We really liked the cottage accommodation (particularly because of Covid) as we could self-cater when we wanted to. Very quiet and secluded. Best walks were 4/5 and 7. There is an excellent newly built path from Pico Rabacal descending to 25 Fontes. The VE3 is now completed as far as Ponta do Pargo.

The Quinta das Vinhas has a stunning situation set among gardens and vines on a steep slope with glorious views over the sea, the staff are helpful and very welcoming.  We had one of the cottages, they are quite simple but clean and comfortable and we loved the combination of eating some of our meals in the hotel and being able to self-cater when we felt like it.  Our experience was that meals are served in the wine bar at the top of the hill, with individual tables rather than a communal one - their selection of DOP Madeirense wines is well worth exploring. The whale watching tours from Calheta with Lobosonda are excellent, good commentaries and stunning views of the island from the sea. Walking routes are clear and easy to follow, and Funchal is just 30 minutes drive away.  We had a brilliant time and would recommend this holiday without hesitation.

Excellent two centre holiday for walking, touring and sightseeing in lovely Madeira.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our Landscapes of Western Madeira holiday with a stay in Funchal.

A perfect spot for a relaxing break. Lovely hotel with friendly staff, excellent breakfasts and evening meals. It's very steep all around the area though, including within the hotel, so a good level of fitness or willingness to drive is essential.

I might (for the fourth time in various locations around the world) have again failed to see any whales, but the morning whale-watching trip was wonderful and we found a large group of bottle-nosed dolphins. Your driving notes were good as always, but of course being on my own this time seriously limits their effectiveness. It seems obvious, but anyone driving alone is far better off using Google Maps and perhaps a note suggesting this might be a good idea?

See earlier comments on the roads and Porto Moniz. I would suggest you add the amazing walk from the top of the cable car at Achadas da Cruz down to the coast. It is bit hair raising as no guard rails, but very rewarding. You can get the cable car back. Also we do have experience of how to work out coronavirus testing in Madeira, which is handled extremely well by the regional government, and made our stay stress free.

We loved all the walks we did.   Walk 3 was probably our favourite and we did it on our last day as the Pharmacy for Covid Testing is in Ponta do Pargo. We did think though that you could start the walk at Pedregal and park on the road there. The first and last bit of the walk on the old road seems unexciting compared with the rest and it adds an awful lot of up and down which you could easily skip. We had a wonderful lunch just off the Levada at the Restaurant mentioned in the notes. It was miracuously open and really good!!!

The Risco waterfall was fabulous - bit bit busy as you suggested but not busy going up to the plateau - but the path was very overgrown.

Best restaurant was without doubt As Fontes do Horacio - we walked there a few times and watched England lose to Italy there - only British in the bar and everyone else was supporting Italy but they were all very friendly and jolly.  

The main highlight was all the amazing agapanthus EVERYWHERE - you call them Nile Lillies in the notes on one walk but they are all over the place. The abundance of semi tropical and jungle plants make you feel like you're in a Disney CGI film. Raiders of the Lost Ark meets an David Attenborough Life on Earth - a feast for the eyes and the ears - bird song and rippling/dripping water and the constant rustle of lizards through the undergrowth - really special.

This holiday was particularly appreciated because it managed to survive the decimated 2020 travel season. Everything about the arrangements was well-planned and efficient. We stayed in one of the hotel's casinhas and it was perfect for us: from preparing a dehydrated camping dinner on the night of our arrival whilst we waited for our Covid test results, to the space, the well-appointed and comfortable rooms, and the outside seating area for catching the last of the day's sun. The hill to breakfast is undoubtedly a drawback but we measured our fitness progress by our ability to greet people when we arrived at the top!

Breakfast - outside on the terrace - and dinner were very good, and the picnics were generous. All the dinners were served in the wine bar and the service was charming. We agree with the recommendations of others for restaurants: Olhar do Campo in Prazeres (Chico's was sadly closed), Onda Azul in Calheta and we also had a very educational (who knew espedata preta lived 1200m down in the sea and come up at night to be caught?) and excellent dinner over the road in Calheta at Beira Mar.

Highlights for us were the Sao Laurenco peninsula in glorious sunshine and the mountains at Arieirro and Encumeada at sunset. They appeared above the clouds, after days of enveloping mist and really lifted our spirits. We also really appreciated the warm and friendly welcome we received wherever we went.

Another excellent holiday with Inntravel. WALK 4 very enjoyable, though we must have missed the correct path somewhere after the crossing the river at 4km. We must have followed a different path through the woods, up onto the plateau. There was some scrambling and we arrived at the plateau much further East, than the notes suggest. However, we rejoined the route up onto Pico Rabacal, where the views were worth the climb. There now is a large circular dam just 500m Northwest of Urze (Close to the spot height 1345 on the map). This is behind the hill, close to Jungle Rain and is easily now the most prominent land mark visible from the plateau. As the views were so good, we decided to make our own way back to the car following tracks and the old road which takes you past Jungle Rain, where we stopped for a drink, and then followed the ER105 back to the carpark. WALK 3 This area has recently had a forest fire but is still very beautiful and the paths are clear of fallen trees. FONTES DO HORACIO was closed for refurbishment end of February. Our favourite restaurant was CHICO in Prazeres, which has a range of prices. It also has a cafe open in the village during the day. Funchal Carnival was great fun and thank you Inntravel for the directions to the car park in Funchal.

We thoroughly recommend it.

We enjoyed the range of walks and contrasting landscapes from dense forest to beautiful coastline and rugged cliffs.

Being above the clouds on the Serra de Paul plateau towards the end of day was visually stunning, and the descent to Prazeres at sunset gave wonderful lighting effects. We'd recommend the walk to the eastern end of the island as a good day out with great sea and geological views, without the vertigo factor of some other itineraries.

As usual, our holiday lived up to expectation. The accommodation was good and the walks interesting and varied.

No hesitation in recommending Inntravel.

Quinta is a lovely place to stay. Staff very friendly and helpful. Ground floor room was lovely. Right next to small swimming pool which was very quiet. Lovely gardens and views. New restaurant at the top of the grounds was lovely - great views and first-class food. Nice quiet area of Madeira and lovely quiet walks (especially in Feb). One local restaurant was closed (in Prazeres) and hotel restaurant in Jardim do Mar was a bit soulless but food fine.

The setting of the Quinta in the landscape was just beautiful. The western part of the island was breathtaking and we would consider another visit to be able to explore the remainder of the island quite soon.

This was a last minute booking but turned out to be an excellent break in all respects.

The accommodation was comfortable and all the staff friendly and helpful.

We enjoyed breakfasts in the farm kitchen or the garden and most nights ate in the restaurant.

The food was varied and delicious with lovely local wines.

We would love to visit again - the Quinta is a very special gem!

This was a delightful hotel, full of charm and character with stunning views over the gardens, vineyards and Atlantic Ocean. We had 4 dinners at the hotel and all were excellent. We also ate at Fontes do Horacio where we can recommend the paella but not the footpath to get there: we retreated from the lively bull in the field figuring that it might well be stronger than its tether! We also ate delicious shrimps and traditional bread one lunchtime at Bar dos Pescadores on the quayside in Paul do Mar and had a good dinner at New Era in Calheta.

We tried 5 of the selected walks which were varied and interesting. We stuck mostly to the sunny south of the island. The highlight was the steep cliff climb up from Jardim, down into Paul for lunch and a swim, then boulder hopping back along the beach at low tide. This was our first trip to Madeira and we will definitely return. Even in November the air and sea are still pleasantly warm and the flowers beautiful.

Fantastic place. Really felt I was on holiday. Everything was taken care of. The owner and other staff were extremely helpful with any questions we had. 

We had a fabulous time! Highlights were the hike to Pico Ruivo and breakfasts in the garden at the Quinta. We stayed in both a cottage and the main inn during our stay and ultimately preferred being in the main inn even though it was much smaller and without a kitchenette. We were lucky to meet the family that has owned the land for generations and to witness one of the grape harvesting days.  It had so much soul, this Inn and vineyard!  The island was also spectacular. We simply were stunned by the diversity of terrain and ecosystems and hikes and views.  So much on one small island.

Very impressed with vegetarian evening meals. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. Walking choices restricted by cloud in the centre of the island, which according to locals is quite frequent. 

It would be hard to choose just one or two highlights. We always enjoy your intimate, historic accommodations and your carefully selected tour recommendations. My best memory will be the sense of exhilaration over each day's adventure, day after day, for the month that we travelled through your packages. 

INNTRAVEL NOTE: these customers enjoyed a multi holiday itinerary to include our Cities, Palaces & Wine Self-Guided Journey by Rail, a stay in an Andalucian Cottage on our Authentic Southern Spain holiday, our Landscapes of Western Madeira Discovery Walking Holiday, with city add-ons in Madrid and Lisbon.