Epicurean adventures in Madeira

With rumbling stomachs and an inquisitive mindset, the two of us headed out on our first day to start or exploration of Madeira’s foodie scene. Our first stop was Blandy’s Wine Lodge, where a tour and special tasting of Madeira wine awaited, before an intimate dinner prepared by a Michelin-recommended chef. Tomorrow we take to the water on a full-day yacht trip – eight hours of uninterrupted relaxation after an initial tour of Porto Santo. I’m keeping the best bit a secret for now though – there’s a renowned local chef joining us onboard to curate each meal especially for us.

I never realised quite how lush and green Madeira is, but yesterday’s tour proved just how different the east is from the west. We drove through the Laurissilva Forest (a UNESCO site) before getting to the pretty village of Ribeiro Frio where we got stuck into a traditional cooking class. We’ve been promised some local delicacies again for lunch today, but that’s after our private tour and tasting in a vineyard on the north coast before returning to enjoy our last night at Reid’s Palace.

Before moving to Casa Velha do Palheiro yesterday, we tested our knife skills in a chef-guided cooking class where ingredients from the chef’s own herb and vegetable plots were the heroes of traditional dishes. Today, we’ve had a garden visit of a different kind on a guided morning tour of Palheiro Gardens to see its beautiful floral displays and exotic plants in peace. We’ve got some time to enjoy the hotel now before our farewell dinner in the hotel’s Oxalis Chef’s Counter – an open kitchen where we’ll get to chat to the chef’s and get some great tips and tricks to take home.