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There is truly nowhere better to spend the festive season than Madeira. Renowned for its spectacular celebrations, the island embraces Christmas with a warmth and spirit that shines throughout December, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of joy, colour and tradition.
Christmas markets fill the air with seasonal scents and sounds, while local gastronomy invites you to savour Madeira’s authentic flavours. Sample regional soups and the much-loved Bolo do Caco, the island’s traditional garlic bread, alongside other festive delicacies that reflect Madeira’s rich culinary heritage.
Across the island, streets, squares and riversides are adorned with breathtaking displays of light and colour. Towns are beautifully decorated, and Funchal’s Municipal Gardens are transformed into enchanting Christmas Gardens, complete with stunning nativity scenes that capture the heart of the season.
Our stay in the historic centre of Santa Cruz places us at the heart of the festivities. Here, the town comes alive with warmth and celebration, illuminated by over 500,000 lamps and an astonishing 40 kilometres of string lights stretching across its five parishes.
The festive season reaches its spectacular finale on New Year’s Eve, when Madeira hosts a truly magnificent fireworks display. Celebrated worldwide, Madeira has even been recognised in the Guinness Book of Records for hosting the largest fireworks display on Earth — a dazzling, unforgettable way to welcome the New Year.
The 4-star Hotel Vila Gale enjoys a stunning oceanfront location, surrounded by the serene beauty of Santa Cruz. This traditional Madeiran town is a perfect destination for elderly guests as its flat easy streets are easy to navigate, and gentle scenic walks offer stunning views across the ocean and wave shaped hills full of vegetation and banana plantations.
The hotel itself boasts superb facilities. The centre piece is its Olympic size outdoor swimming pool, set in gardens facing the Atlantic Ocean. The perfect place to unwind and catch some winter sun and sample a glass of “Poncha “in the company of your newfound bridge friends. The all-inclusive board offers excellent value for money for Madeira and provides a friendly and sociable getaway for bridge players.
No visit to Madeira is complete without spending time in its vibrant capital Funchal, which is easily reached within 20 mins by the hotel’s daily courtesy bus or by frequent local buses. In week one we have an included excursion to Funchal’s vibrant market and lush botanical gardens famous for its unique flora and an impressive collection of plants from around the world. Sample local produce in the colourful fruit and flower markets, offered by the local vendors in traditional costumes, or pick up a handicraft providing taste of Madeiran culture.
The second week our included tour shows us the breathtaking beauty of the east side of the island. Explore charming, traditional villages, marvel at coastal panoramas and awesome mountain ranges and forest trails. Witness traditional thatched houses and visit a sugarcane mill to learn about Madeira’s rum production process along the way.
A festive bridge holiday in Madeira is not just any bridge holiday, but a magical experience that will stay with you forever, and our bridge team Sarah Amos and John & Sarah Barker cannot wait to share the experience with you!
For guests arriving at Funchal International airport on our specific change over days, join the group and transfer to the Hotel Vila Gale Santa Cruz. (Transfer time approximately 10 minutes.)
There will be a singles meeting where partners will be found for single players, followed by dinner and a short session of evening bridge, for those who arrive on time and wish to play bridge on arrival evening.
There will be a welcome meeting at 10.00 am in the bridge room where you will meet your bridge director and bridge hosts and be given information on the bridge programme and your holiday.
Buffet dinner at 18.30 pm followed by evening bridge
Our Club Classics bridge programme is included throughout your stay. Each evening, after dinner at 18:30, you are warmly invited to join us in the bridge room for engaging sessions from our diverse duplicate bridge programme, running until late.
For those who wish to participate during the day, we also offer bridge seminars in the mornings and additional daytime bridge sessions. These are carefully scheduled to complement any optional or included excursions, ensuring a balanced holiday experience. Our bridge director will remain attentive to local weather conditions and may adjust timings, if needed, to suit the group's interests.
Your final bridge programme will be sent to you with your travel documentation approximately two weeks before departure.
No visit to Madeira is complete without spending time in its vibrant capital Funchal, which is easily reached within 20 mins by the hotel’s daily courtesy bus or by frequent local buses. In week one we have an included excursion to Funchal’s vibrant market and lush botanical gardens famous for its unique flora and an impressive collection of plants from around the world. Sample local produce in the colourful fruit and flower markets, offered by the local vendors in traditional costumes, or pick up a handicraft providing taste of Madeiran culture.
Today we bid farewell to guests who have joined us for the first week. After breakfast and hotel check-out depart on the group transfers to Funchal International Airport.
For guests arriving at Funchal International Airport and joining for the second week, join the group transfer to the Hotel Vila Gale Santa Cruz.
There will be a singles meeting where partners will be found for single players, followed by dinner and a short session of evening bridge, for those who arrive on time and wish to play bridge on arrival evening.
For all guests that have joined for the 14-night bridge holiday, enjoy the hotel facilities and surrounding area.
For guests that have joined for the second week, there will be a welcome meeting at 10.00 am in the lounge, where you will meet your bridge director and bridge hosts, and be given information on the bridge programme and your holiday.
Buffet dinner at 18.30 pm followed by evening bridge.
Our Club Classics bridge programme is included throughout your stay. Each evening, after dinner at 18:30, you are warmly invited to join us in the bridge room for engaging sessions from our diverse duplicate bridge programme, running until late.
For those who wish to participate during the day, we also offer bridge seminars in the mornings and additional daytime bridge sessions. These are carefully scheduled to complement any optional or included excursions, ensuring a balanced holiday experience. Our bridge director will remain attentive to local weather conditions and may adjust timings, if needed, to suit the group's interests.
Your final bridge programme will be sent to you with your travel documentation approximately two weeks before departure.
The second week our included tour shows us the breathtaking beauty of the east side of the island. Explore charming, traditional villages, marvel at coastal panoramas and awesome mountain ranges and forest trails. Witness traditional thatched houses and visit a sugarcane mill to learn about Madeira’s rum production process along the way.
Today we bid farewell to guests and after breakfast and hotel check-out depart on the group transfers to Funchal International Airport.
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