visting madeira
Personal assistance while you're in Madeira.
You've booked the flights. You've found somewhere you love. Maybe you've even planned a few things already. But what if you want to experience Madeira beyond the obvious?
That's where I come in. I'm based here, I know the island well and, over the years, I've built up a rather useful little black book of people, places and ideas. Some are easy to find. Some aren't. And some you probably wouldn't know existed unless you happened to know the right person.
That's the bit I love. Taking what you like, food, nature, adventure, family, music, design, whatever it might be, and putting together something that feels genuinely interesting.
I LIKE THE IDEA PART
This is probably my favourite part of what I do. You don't need to arrive with a fully formed plan. You can simply tell me what you like, who you're travelling with and what you'd like your time in Madeira to feel like.
“We love food and we'd like to meet some people who actually live here.” “We've done the main sights before. Show us something different.” “We've got three generations travelling together and everyone wants something completely different.” “We'd love to do something really special while we're here.”
From there, I can start putting the pieces together, the right people, the right places and ideas that might not immediately occur to you.
Because sometimes the most interesting things to do in Madeira are the things you wouldn't know to look for.
FAMILIES
Activities, childcare, family days out, experiences that work for everyone — including grandparents.
DAYS OUT & EXPERIENCES
Of course, I can arrange the Madeira favourites, a great hike, a boat trip, dolphin watching, a beautiful lunch. But that's not really the interesting part.
What I love is the other stuff. The things you won't necessarily find online, the places you wouldn't know to look for and the people I've got to know over the years who can offer something a little different.
It could be a visit to a tiny family-run vineyard, being welcomed into a Madeiran home for a traditional meal, learning about Bordado da Madeira from someone who really knows the craft, or heading into the forest for an experience that's a little out of the ordinary.
I can also take something you already have in mind and add my own ideas, change the route, arrange a picnic, find somewhere great for lunch or bring a few different things together.
Tell me what you're into, who's coming and what you'd like to do. I'll see what I can come up with.
SOMETHING SPECIAL
Birthday, anniversary, proposal, family celebration, or simply an excuse to do something lovely.
I know some beautiful spots around the island that most visitors never see, and some of them make the most incredible settings for a proposal, a private dinner or a special evening together.
It could be dinner somewhere completely unexpected, a beautiful setting arranged just for you, or something you've imagined that needs a little imagination and the right people behind it.
The kind of thing you'll still be talking about when you're home.
SHOPPING & SOURCING
Forgotten something? Looking for something specific? Need a gift, a particular pair of shoes or something that's proving impossible to find on the island?
Madeira can be a little tricky when you're looking for something specific. I've lived here for years, so I know where to look, who to ask and which places are actually worth trying.
I also know who delivers to Madeira, what can arrive quickly and who to contact when you don't have weeks to wait. So if you're staying for a month and suddenly need something you can't find here, I can usually find a way to get it to you.
From fashion and gifts to those oddly specific things that seem impossible to find on an island, sometimes it's simply knowing where to look.
WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG
Things don't always go to plan, especially on an island. A delivery gets held up, something breaks, plans suddenly change or you need someone to make a call and sort something out.
I've been here long enough to know that sometimes the quickest way to solve a problem is simply knowing who to call. If you're staying in Madeira and something comes up, you don't have to figure it out from the other side of the world.
HOW IT WORKS
01 — START WITH AN IDEA
You don't need to have it all figured out. Send me what you know, what you'd like or simply what you're trying to achieve.
02 — WE'LL WORK IT OUT
I’ll take what you’ve given me, work out what makes sense and start putting the right things in place.
03 — EVERYTHING CLEAR FROM THE START
I'll always confirm my fee and any supplier costs before anything is booked or arranged. No surprises, no guessing, just a clear idea of what's involved.
NOT JUST THE USUAL MADEIRA
I can arrange the things you'd expect: restaurants, drivers, boat trips, hikes and airport transfers. But I'd much rather show you the things you wouldn't necessarily find yourself.
Imagine spending an afternoon at a tiny family-run vineyard that isn't really set up for mass tourism. Or being welcomed into a Madeiran family's home while they cook traditional food for you. Learning about Bordado da Madeira, the island's traditional embroidery, from people who actually know the craft. A hike with a picnic prepared specifically around your dietary requirements. A day in the mountains that includes a completely unexpected stop along the way. Or heading into a beautiful forest for an experience that combines movement, nature and a few unexpected moments along the way.
It doesn't have to be extravagant. It just has to be good.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Want the house ready? Stock the fridge? Airport transfer? Delivery? Send me the list.
MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MADEIRA
Whether it's your first time, your tenth visit or you come back every year, tell me what you're looking for. It might be practical, completely unexpected, or you may have no idea. Let's see what we can come up with.
FOOD & RESTAURANTS
Good food is a fairly important part of any Madeira trip. Restaurant bookings, private chefs, special dinners, dietary requirements, less obvious places.