SOCIAL EVENTS
Join us for our Social Programme – a chance to chat to friends old and new over a drink, enjoy a traditional Madeiran dinner and entertainment, or applaud this year’s star performers between a gala dinner and some dancing.
For prices see the Entry Fees page.
Welcome Cocktails
Join us in the Vidamar foyer on Monday at 18.00 for a cocktail or two (or three) and a warm welcome to our tournament and our beautiful island.
Traditional dinner and folk dancing
An evening of true Madeiran fare, with folk music and dance in traditional costume (you can join in too). Wednesday after the second session of the Open Pairs (coaches leave Vidamar 20.15).
Gala dinner and Prizegiving
Join us for a relaxing drink after the hurly-burly of the Open Teams, then in the Vidamar dining room where you will enjoy a superb three-course dinner with good wines, followed by the prizegiving and a disco (dancing optional).
TOURS
Below you will find details of the optional Friday excursions we have provided as part of our Social Programme. For 2022 these were The North-West, the Levada do Alecrim, and a catamaran trip – watch the VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS for a flavour of the scenery, the company and the refreshments. There is also a Golf option – see below.
We can also arrange other excursions. If you can’t find what you were looking for below, please contact us.
HALF-DAY TOUR OF NORTH-WEST
LEVADA WALK
CATAMARAN ADVENTURE
Option A: North-West (full day, lunch included)
The programme begins with the coach’s departure from VidaMar at 09.30. First stop Fanal, with its magical dancing forest and – depending on the weather – its looking-glass lake brim full. Next we descend towards Porto Moniz and the famous natural bathing pools; the incredible journey continues to Seixal and a 15-20-minute walk to what is considered one of the prettiest black beaches in Europe, with a magnificent vista from the varied shades of green of the mountains to the blue of the sea.
We take lunch at São Vicente at about 13.20, and will then visit the Volcanism Centre near the famous grottoes of São Vicente (the caves are currently closed, but if they have reopened by November a guided tour will be included). We return to Funchal via Serra de Água where you may try a glass of poncha, one of the best-known and most popular products of our island.
Arrive back at VidaMar at approximately 16.15.
Option B: Levada (½ day, lunch included)
The programme begins with the coach’s departure from VidaMar at 09.00. Our first stop will be Paúl da Serra, the widest and longest plateau on the island at 24km2. From here our walk along the wonderful Levada do Alecrim* (the Rosemary Levada) will take about 2¼ hours.
We will take lunch at São Vicente, on the island’s north coast, and on the way back to Funchal will stop at the famous poncho bar at Serra de Água, where you may taste this popular and typical madeiran drink.
Return to VidaMar at approximately 15.30.
Please bring good walking shoes or boots, a warm coat (in case of low temperatures in the mountains) and a bottle of water. Grade: easy; Distance: 7 km; Duration: approx. 2¼ hours.
*If the weather at Paúl da Serra is inclement, as it can be in November, we will head downhill and walk the Levada da Fajã da Ama (the Nursemaid’s Cliff Levada) at São Vicente, near the Estrada das Ginjas (Cherry Road); the degree of difficulty is the same, but this levada is at a lower altitude.
Option C: Catamaran (limited availability)
The coach leaves the hotel at 09.15 to take you to the marina. A relaxing trip along the south coast of Madeira, with a good chance of spotting whales and dolphins in all their magnificence and in their natural habitat. (3 hours)
GOLF
We have arranged a special MADEIRA GOLF PASSPORT which permits play at both courses, for 3- or 5-day packages. Transport to the courses is included. The departure time will be arranged according to the number of participants.
Prices (2022):
3-day Mini Madeira Golf Passport €200
5-day Madeira Golf Passport €325
Other options are available on request.
