Echoes of Funchal’s Belle Epoch

Revel in the remnants of Madeira’s Golden Age of Sugar solidifying its place (literally) on the medieval map.

Meet your university guide at Naturalmente Português, the designated meeting spot, to kick off your walkabout. Dive deep into the island’s fascinating past to learn how the Golden Age of Sugar (first planted in the 15th century) shaped the places you’ll be visiting, including the Municipal Theater, and the Campo Almirante Reis.

Sustainable Tours

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

Shore Thing Highlights

Meet your guide (a university volunteer) at Naturalmente Português for a fascinating walking tour
Explore the heart of Funchal’s medieval town, where the city’s explosive expansion came about during the Golden Age of Sugar
Discover beautiful 17th-century monuments, the Municipal Theater, the Campo Almirante Reis, and more
This Shore Thing supports local students

Need to know

Please be aware this Shore Thing is not wheelchair accessible
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 is weather dependent
This Shore Thing operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria

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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.

Echoes of Funchal’s Belle Epoch

Revel in the remnants of Madeira’s Golden Age of Sugar solidifying its place (literally) on the medieval map.

Shore Thing Highlights

Need to know

Experience shores the Virgin way

Our Shore Things Policies