After arrival we rent cars and go straight to the Ponta do Rosto viewpoint - a first introduction to the beauty of Madeira. We'll check it out a bit, as I'd like to come back during the week for sunrise, so we'll know what to do then. And if we are lucky, there will be a snack stand open where we can refresh ourselves :-)

On the second day we will go to the Madeira classics - the so-called balconies. It's a short walk around the levada, ending with a super view over the deep valley. You can hand feed finches here, which is always a lovely experience.

After the finches, we'll take our first close-up look at the ocean, the beach and the ruins of the old house. The ocean is pretty wild here, so it's not much for swimming. At the same time, there is a possibility of refreshments again (if it will be open :-D ). On the way down to the ocean there are a few more viewpoints where we can stop and take some photos.

A short walk from the beach is the village of Santana, where you can see typical Madeiran houses. 

In the morning we will set off to see more of the island's beauty. Along the way, there are again several luxurious viewpoints where we will be sure to stop. But the biggest highlight will be Fanal - a mystical laurel grove with trees of all shapes. For me personally, it is the most beautiful and interesting place of Madeira. The worse weather we catch here, the better the atmosphere will be :-)

From Fanal we drive down to the ocean to the beautiful town of Ponta do Sol. There's a waterfall a short distance away, across the road, which you can drive through. Weather permitting, we can take a swim and we can wait for the sunset here. There are also several restaurants by the beach where you can eat well.

This day will probably be the most challenging of the whole week. First thing in the morning we will go to Pico do Arieiro (3rd highest mountain in Madeira) and trek to the highest mountain in Madeira (Pico Ruivo). 

The journey is relatively short in terms of kilometres - only about 5.5 km in one direction (in total we will cover about 11 km), but we will overcome an elevation of about 1000 metres and also a lot of stairs. The trip there and back will take us about 7 - 8 hours, so it's a full day trip. If you don't want to do such a hike, you don't have to, of course, everything is up to agreement.

From Pico Ruivo, we will take the same route back to Pico do Arieiro and if everything goes well, we could catch the sunset. There are also refreshments on both peaks where we can replenish our energy.

In the morning we go to Seixal, where there is a great beach with black sand. If the weather permits, we can even swim. Alternatively, we can go to the other side of the town where there are natural pools also suitable for swimming. On the way to Seixal, we can again stop at a viewpoint.

Next to Seixal is another Madeiran classic, the Ribeira de Janela, a rock formation right in the ocean, with waves crashing against it. It's a very rewarding subject to photograph. The beach is one of the wilder ones, which makes it all the more interesting and where it will charm anyone.

A stone's throw away is the town of Porto Moniz. There are giant waves to watch and natural swimming pools.

On the way from Porto Moniz, we stop at the top station of the cable car that goes down the cliff to the ocean, where there is a farming village. It's one of the steepest cable cars in Europe. Those interested can ride down, personally I just like the view from the top station where I'm happy to wait for others :-D

From the cable car, we head to the westernmost tip of Madeira - the Ponta do Pargo lighthouse. Again, there are incredible cliffs falling straight into the ocean. There's also a great family restaurant in the town where I definitely recommend stopping for a meal.

Today, we'll be up early. We'll be heading out to the cliffs for sunrise, where we were the first day from the airport. When the sun breaks over the horizon here, it's just beautiful. Combined with the salty air from the ocean, it's a great experience not to be missed.

After sunrise, we will move to the centre of Funchal, where we will transfer from the car to the cable car and be taken to the tropical garden. Suddenly we find ourselves in a completely different environment, full of tropical plants. And the Japanese buildings in the garden will make us feel like we're on another continent. There is also a cool bistro/cafe in the garden with its own coffee roaster, where we will definitely replenish our energy.

Because of the early wake-up call, I wouldn't go on any major trips this day. Therefore, after the tropical garden tour, we would take the cable car back down to the city center, which we can then explore, get souvenirs, walk around the harbor, etc. If there are any foodies among you I can show you an excellent restaurant. If you are interested, we can go again, for example to Pico do Arieiro to see the sunset, it is about 30 minutes by car from Funchal.

On the last day we will go on a small hike around the lava to the waterfalls. It's a 10km circuit, where there will be some stairs and elevation changes again, but this time it won't be as challenging as from Pico do Ariero to Pico Ruivo. I'm leaving this day open, we can go back to the place you liked the most or somewhere where maybe the weather didn't quite work out.

Today we will just go to the airport, return the cars and pray that it won't blow too much so we can fly home.