May 18, 2013 MAGIC EBTA - Who is with us?

[Tink1987]

Hi guys,

I've been looking at what to do in Madeira as when we visited on the 2011 WBTA we did the HOHO bus around Funchal and found it to be expensive and disappointing (could have walked easier)

I've looked at the DCL tours and they seem a bit pricey ($300 for 3 of us to go to the beach).

We fancied going further afield this time and I looked at doing it independently for a bit more freedom rather than a taxi/tour (Sarah's (binkytell) stories of the volcanic pools in 2011 sounded great).

I've found a car hire firm - www.bravacar.com.pt - who will collect you from the port area and are very reasonable, for an economy car (ford fiesta, Renault Clio) from 1030-1830 it's only £14.

May be of interest for anyone wanting to head out out on a bit of an independent tour

Paul

Thanks for the tip about the HOHO bus as we do normally jump on them!

 

[Tink1987]

We have been looking at Maderia too now our plans are firmed up for Gibraltar.

I know a few people really recommend Daniels Taxis. Has anybody done the 6.5 hour tour? I see he offers a East and West version and was just wondering if anybody had any tips on one or the other?

To be honest I am leaning towards DCL's Unforgettable Madeira excursion. It's around £50 more for both of us with today's exchange rates but it's a 8.5 hour tour, guaranteed not to miss the boat and you get lunch included........

 

[Tink1987]

Our checklist is looking OKish - however we have everything on there including things like making pirate night outfits, FE gift panic etc.....

100 days countdown for us on Tripit now As we leave the UK on the 16th May

 

[Tubbsteruk]

Thanks for the tip about the HOHO bus as we do normally jump on them!

Tink, they really were very poor. The main area is quite compact and you can walk from one end where the cable cars are to the shopping centres at the other end in about 15 minutes. We were so disappointed and felt ripped off. You could go to camara de lobos but there is only one bus a day from what I remember. The staff didn't tell us this and by the time we found out it had left for the day

I think it cost about €30 for 2 adults and Grace was free as she was 2 at the time. From doing a bit more research this time we are hiring a car for less

 

[NancyIL]

We have been looking at Maderia too now our plans are firmed up for Gibraltar.

I know a few people really recommend Daniels Taxis. Has anybody done the 6.5 hour tour? I see he offers a East and West version and was just wondering if anybody had any tips on one or the other?

To be honest I am leaning towards DCL's Unforgettable Madeira excursion. It's around £50 more for both of us with today's exchange rates but it's a 8.5 hour tour, guaranteed not to miss the boat and you get lunch included........

You need to remember that a bus tour with 45 people will take longer to do everything - including eat lunch, than a small, private tour. My guess is that those on the ship's 8.5-hour tour will see no more than those on the 6.5-hour private tour.

 

[Tink1987]

Tink, they really were very poor. The main area is quite compact and you can walk from one end where the cable cars are to the shopping centres at the other end in about 15 minutes. We were so disappointed and felt ripped off. You could go to camara de lobos but there is only one bus a day from what I remember. The staff didn't tell us this and by the time we found out it had left for the day

I think it cost about €30 for 2 adults and Grace was free as she was 2 at the time. From doing a bit more research this time we are hiring a car for less

Such a shame that they are so bad - the few places we have paid for them in, we have found them invaluable. We do also like walking around though and getting a real feel for a place.

The hire car option sounds interesting

 

[Tink1987]

You need to remember that a bus tour with 45 people will take longer to do everything - including eat lunch, than a small, private tour. My guess is that those on the ship's 8.5-hour tour will see no more than those on the 6.5-hour private tour.

That's a very good point Nancy, thank you! We didn't even consider that.

 

[Tubbsteruk]

Such a shame that they are so bad - the few places we have paid for them in, we have found them invaluable. We do also like walking around though and getting a real feel for a place.

The hire car option sounds interesting

We usually like the HOHO buses, Barcelona, New York, Sydney, Dubai, & London are superb but Madeira was just poor. Saying that it's not the worst we've been on. Christchurch in NZ really was shocking, it was about half a mile with 10 stops. Worst thing was we bought a 2 day pass

 

[Tink1987]

We usually like the HOHO buses, Barcelona, New York, Sydney, Dubai, & London are superb but Madeira was just poor. Saying that it's not the worst we've been on. Christchurch in NZ really was shocking, it was about half a mile with 10 stops. Worst thing was we bought a 2 day pass

Oh no lol! We had the same thing in Stavenger in the Norwegian Fjords. It was good to hear the history but we had done it all in an hour and it cost us £20.

They must only be good in really big cities then? The Paris one was good. I really do love listening to the history in the bigger places. I think we will do the Barcelona one as we are only there for 24 hours.

 

[heatherb819]

I posted on FB and thought I would post here as well. I'm not sure if we'll do this or not but just an FYI....

Here's a tour in Madiera some of the others did in 2011. I however did not but I believe it was through Daniel Taxi...
Thank you so much for contacting us. So nice of Noel to give you my contact info. As you are interested in visiting the São Vicente Caves, I have a new plan for your tour: ■Cabo Girão - stop for the viewpoint on top of the cliff
■Ribeira Brava - just passing by
■Encumeada - stop
■São Vicente - due to shortage of time, your stop will only have a total of 1 hour, this will enable you to visit the caves, but not to watch the films
■Porto Moniz - staying for a total of 2 hours
■Paúl da Serra - there are several viewpoints, depending on time I think you'll visit at least one
■Ponta do Sol - just passing by
■Back in Funchal
This west side tour takes 6.5 hours and we'll charge as follows: ■27 EUR per person

 

[gonecrusin]

We have been looking at Maderia too now our plans are firmed up for Gibraltar.

I know a few people really recommend Daniels Taxis. Has anybody done the 6.5 hour tour? I see he offers a East and West version and was just wondering if anybody had any tips on one or the other?

To be honest I am leaning towards DCL's Unforgettable Madeira excursion. It's around £50 more for both of us with today's exchange rates but it's a 8.5 hour tour, guaranteed not to miss the boat and you get lunch included........

We are doing this one!

 

[DisneyMouseHouse]

We are doing this one!

We have been looking at Maderia too now our plans are firmed up for Gibraltar.

I know a few people really recommend Daniels Taxis. Has anybody done the 6.5 hour tour? I see he offers a East and West version and was just wondering if anybody had any tips on one or the other?

To be honest I am leaning towards DCL's Unforgettable Madeira excursion. It's around £50 more for both of us with today's exchange rates but it's a 8.5 hour tour, guaranteed not to miss the boat and you get lunch included........

I think we're sticking with DCL for this port - since the tour is supposed to be 8-8.5 hours, but we're only in port for 8 hours and 15 mins -

With lunch included, and being gone all day, the price isn't too terribly bad, either.........

 

[Tink1987]

We are doing this one!

I think we're sticking with DCL for this port - since the tour is supposed to be 8-8.5 hours, but we're only in port for 8 hours and 15 mins -

With lunch included, and being gone all day, the price isn't too terribly bad, either.........

I think we will do the DCL excursion then. Daniel's Taxis does say under his 6.5 hour tour that it may take longer then expected. Being the worry wart I am, I don't want to risk it and worry all day that we won't make it back.

 

[SaraCat]

We are planning to book the all day Madeira excursion with DCL as I would also worry about time all day otherwise.

 

[gonecrusin]

I think we will do the DCL excursion then. Daniel's Taxis does say under his 6.5 hour tour that it may take longer then expected. Being the worry wart I am, I don't want to risk it and worry all day that we won't make it back.

We are planning to book the all day Madeira excursion with DCL as I would also worry about time all day otherwise.

Worry should be my middle name! I have seen it happen once to a family.

Only place I wouldn't mind it happening is Castaway Cay

 

[Tink1987]

We are planning to book the all day Madeira excursion with DCL as I would also worry about time all day otherwise.

Yay, I'm not the only one.

Can't wait to book it now - can I do that before the cruise with my lowly 'this is my first disney cruise' lowly status?

 

[Tink1987]

Worry should be my middle name! I have seen it happen once to a family.

Only place I wouldn't mind it happening is Castaway Cay

Oh yes! Lol

 

[WVURunner]

Private Gibraltar Tour Update:
For those intersted we still have:
2 spots open for Tour D (4 hr)
4 spots open for Tour B (2 hr) (possibly 7 if I don't hear back from Aunt Gram)
Message me for details

 

[MandyGirl]

Worry should be my middle name! I have seen it happen once to a family.

Only place I wouldn't mind it happening is Castaway Cay

You sound like me!

 

[MandyGirl]

Event organizers -

Please make sure your events are updated on Part Two thread as we are nearing our 250-page mark here! Can transition over once we approach the 250 pages.

Thank you!