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Manors, Monasteries & Mystique of Madeira

  • Funchal Manors Monasteries And Mystique of Madeira
Unlock Madeira’s mystique by stepping through splendid manors and vibrant scenery with a local storyteller.
Travel through history with university volunteers who know the ins and outs of Madeira’s legendary past. Starting at the city’s walls where the French army attacked Funchal in 1566, you’ll see stunning Madeiran manors and the Quinta das Cruzes viewpoint where Madeira’s founder, João Gonçalves Zarco, once lived. Then, you’ll learn about the Santa Clara Monastery (whose nuns used to be a tourist attraction some 200 years ago) and discover the lesser-known hangouts foreign princes would frequent.

Sustainable Tours

This tour operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria.

Shore Thing Highlights

  • Local university volunteers will take you through Madeira’s legendary past beginning at the city’s wall where the French army attacked Funchal in 1566

  • Head to the English neighborhood to see manor homes and the amazing Quinta das Cruzes viewpoint (once home to Madeira’s founder, João Gonçalves Zarco)

  • This Shore Thing supports local students

Need to know

  • Please be aware this Shore Thing is not wheelchair accessible

  • This Shore Thing is not suitable for pregnant Sailors

  • Not recommended for Sailors with walking difficulties

  • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended

  • The order of sites visited may vary

  • Approximately 2 hours of walking on this Shore Thing

  • This Shore Thing operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria

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    Modify/cancel up to 48hrs before where applicable

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Shore Things are fully refundable to the original form of payment. However, please note that Shore Things are only fully refundable if they are canceled within 48 hours prior to the booked Shore Thing taking place, unless stated otherwise in a specific Shore Thing 'Need to Know' section. If you fail to either (a) cancel within 48 hours of the booked Shore Thing (or alternative time period as may be stated in a specific Shore Thing 'Need to Know' section), or (b) show up for a booked Shore Thing, you will be charged for 100% of the Shore Thing price. 

If you make a cancellation prior to the first day of your voyage and within 48 hours (unless otherwise stated in the tour details) of your Shore Thing, you will be refunded to the original form of payment after midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the day of cancellation.

If you make another purchase prior to midnight EST, after canceling a booking eligible for a refund, the credit from the canceled booking will be applied to your new booking. Therefore, you’ll only be charged for the price difference between the canceled and new experience. If you have remaining temporary credit left on your account after you’ve made another experience purchase, the remaining credit will be refunded to your original form of payment after midnight EST.

If you cancel a Shore Thing during your voyage and are eligible for a refund, a credit will be applied to your folio and not to your original form of payment.


Shore Things departure times and/or meeting locations are subject to change. We will make every effort to notify Sailors in advance via the Sailor App of any tour departure and/or meeting changes.
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