Half day trip

Today we had booked a half day sightseeing trip with a local company, so they picked us up at 8.15 in a land rover, and then another texan couple from the cruise ship that arrived this morning. After driving out of funchal and through some local villages we went to the top of the tallest cliff on the island. As well as incredible views it also had a glass floored viewing platform jutting out of the top of the cliff, so you can stand out from the cliff and look down through the glass.

After the cliff, a drive up the mountains through the forest on forest tracks (good land rover!) To look down into a secret hidden valley, surrounded by jagged mountains, where the nuns, women and children would be taken to hide from pirates.

Then through more mountain passes and through steep terraces covered in grape vines, vegetables and fruit trees, to end up back at small fishing port to have a drink before heading home.

A really good trip and having seen the tiny mountain roads, one that we would have never attempted on our own.Read more