Yahoo News Explore Madeira in the most delightful way this spring – with TV's Adam Frost
Home to colourful towns rising up volcanic hillsides and botanical gardens overflowing with exotic plants, Madeira is the sub-tropical jewel of Portugal. This spring, you can visit during its colourful Flower Festival as you join TV's Adam Frost for a wonderful tour of the island.
Taking place during the best time to visit – during May – our incredible tour will give you the opportunity to spend time with the Gardeners’ World presenter.
For Country Living readers who take this unique tour, Adam will join you as colourful floral floats fill the streets of the capital Funchal. He will also lead you on visits to Madeira's best gardens including the botanical gardens of Quinta Jardins do Lago and the Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
There'll be an evening to hear all about his life and career, with the chance to ask Adam for gardening tips, too.
Garden visits during a holiday to Madeira with Adam Frost
One of the most magical gardens on the island is high up in its hills, in Monte, where you’ll find the exquisite Monte Palace Tropical Garden. Adam will guide you through the gardens, explaining the history and how Madeira's climate allows exotic plants to thrive.
You will also visit the iconic Palheiro Gardens, a stunning botanical garden overlooking Funchal. Wandering through these lush gardens, you'll discover a diverse array of plants.
Madeira at its most wonderful time
On your final day in Madeira, you’ll get to visit one of the best-loved events in the island’s calendar, the Madeira Flower Festival. Adam will join you to point out some of the rare blooms on display and enjoy the spectacular show.
Taking place each year at the start of May, as the flowers are in full bloom, it sees the island’s children parade the streets of Funchal in beautiful floral costumes, each carrying a flower to be placed on the ‘Wall of Hope’- made entirely out of flowers.
Flower carpets and floats also sail down Avenida Arriaga, and kiosks sell a range of bouquets, embroidery and traditional food and drinks. You’re guaranteed to get some incredible photos to take home with you.
Explore 'Little Lisbon'
During a walking tour of historic Funchal, you'll get to know the fascinating island capital dubbed ‘Little Lisbon’ by locals.
Overlooking an impressive harbour and packed with gorgeous 18th-century buildings, its narrow streets are crammed with charming shops and picturesque squares. You’ll get to taste local Madeiran wine, and head up into the hills to visit the beautifully laid out Botanical Gardens.
Madeira’s stunning coast and country
No trip to an island is complete without a visit to the coast and in eastern Madeira, spectacular views of the shimmering Atlantic await. Home to traditional farming communities, you’ll explore villages with pretty thatched roofs dating to the 16th century.
A drive to Eira do Serrado, over 3,500 feet above sea level, will make you immediately fall in love with the breathtaking views of the valley and the village of Curral das Freiras below.
And you must toast the wonderful trip with a glass of poncha in Câmara de Lobos, It's a traditional fishermen’s remedy made up of sugar cane spirit, honey and lemon juice.
You can book your place now for our eight-day tour of Madeira’s stunning tropical gardens with TV presenter and gardener Adam Frost during the Flower Festival in May 2022.
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