At the beginning of December, we had the pleasure of hosting eight fantastic agents based in the North of the UK, for an unforgettable educational trip to Madeira, in partnership with Pestana Hotel Group, DMC Madeira, and the Madeira Promotion Bureau.
We stayed at the beautiful Pestana Casino Park, located only a short walk from Funchal, with incredible views of both mountains and ocean. The hotel has incredible conference rooms and event facilities, with wraparound terraces, views of the island and natural light. The hotel – designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemayer – the hotel and Casino da Madeira form the shape of a crescent moon and sun from above. Our hosts from the hotel were brilliant at ensuring our stay was comfortable and memorable. On the first evening, we enjoyed a traditional meal with live entertainment, and it didn’t take long for us to dance with the locals.
On Saturday, it was an early start on the road to Monte, the beautiful hillside village where the infamous toboggan rides begin, also known as the wicker basket rides. The carreiros (toboggan drivers) guided us down winding roads as we laughed along and enjoyed the ride. It’s safe to say we will remember this unique experience forever. Monte is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from Funchal, and the toboggan rides are one of the most popular excursions available on the island, making them ideal for small incentive groups looking for a thrilling activity.
We then took a cable car back to Funchal, where we explored the local market. We enjoyed a lovely walk, bought souvenirs and learned about one of our group’s love of plants. We then took a guided tour of Blandy’s Wine Lodge, where we tasted traditional Madeira wine and learned about its history. Winemaking in Madeira dates back to the end of the 15th century, where the island was a standard port of call for explorers heading to the New World or West Indies. Madeira wine is typically served as an aperitif or as a dessert wine, but can be enjoyed at any occasion. Our evening dinner was at the incredible Pestana Miramar, another nearby property. The food was delicious, especially the mussels “à la creme“ with garlic toast, lobster thermidor with creamy potatoes, cheese board with orange compote, and biscuits), and the conversation was even better.
On Sunday, we took a journey to new heights in Defender Jeeps, up to Pico do Ariero, the third highest point on the island, reaching an altitude of 1,818 metres. Our driver Victor and guide Grace made the trip especially memorable with their combined expertise and knowledge of the area. We also learned how to make the famous Madeiran cocktail, Poncha, in a masterclass workshop in the middle of the forest.
On our final night, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Pestana Carlton hotel and a site inspection of their new refurbishments, which was a brilliant way to wrap up the trip. A special thank you to everyone who made the trip possible, including: Pestana Hotel Group and the team, DMC Madeira, and Madeira Promotion Bureau. Also, thank you to our event planner clients for making the trip so enjoyable; it was an advantage to get to know everyone!
Click here for more blogs, inspiring you for your next corporate event.
For any event planning needs, contact sales@staryourworld.com
Written by Hannah Taylor, Marketing Executive
Book your trip to Madeira today!
Don’t miss the chance to have your next corporate event in Portugal. Contact us now to secure your dates and embark on a journey like no other.
