Day 1
Funchal
(Funchal)
Monte Palace Tropical Garden is a large, terraced garden featuring exotic plants, ornamental ponds, sculptures, and a museum with mineral collections. The layout uses Madeira's slopes to create viewpoints over Funchal Bay and diverse microclimates for different plant species. The museum sections add geological and botanical context to the plantings. The stonework and irrigation systems are interesting details that explain how the garden is maintained on a steep hillside.
Day 2
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
(Santa Cruz)
Teide National Park offers volcanic landscapes, lava formations, and the chance to ride a cable car toward Mount Teide with sweeping island views. The park is also important for astronomy due to its altitude and clear skies. La Orotava is a historic town with well-preserved Canarian architecture, wooden balconies, and the Casa de los Balcones as a highlight. The town's botanical garden and cobbled streets reflect a past tied to trade and craftsmanship. Auditorio de Tenerife is an iconic modern building by Santiago Calatrava resembling a billowing sail and is visible from the waterfront. The plaza itself invites photos and cultural context. Plaza de España is the city's main square with a large artificial lake and monuments; it connects visitors to commercial and historic areas.
Day 3
Las Palmas
/Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
/Las Palmas
Catedral de Santa Ana is a historic cathedral featuring Gothic and Renaissance elements, with chapels and stained glass that reflect centuries of religious and civic life. The cathedral's history links to Las Palmas' role as a maritime hub. Vegueta is the city's oldest neighborhood with cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and museums that illustrate local history and daily life. Casa de Colón is a museum in a 15th-century building focused on Columbus and transatlantic voyages, with maps and nautical artifacts. Mercado del Puerto is a vibrant food market offering fresh seafood, local cheeses, and tapas in a social, communal setting.
Day 10
Salvador
Pelourinho is Salvador's UNESCO-listed historic center with colorful colonial buildings, baroque churches like São Francisco, and a strong Afro-Brazilian cultural presence. The area features street performers, capoeira, and food vendors offering local specialties like acarajé. Elevador Lacerda is an art deco elevator linking the upper and lower city with scenic views of All Saints Bay and easy access to Mercado Modelo. Igreja de São Francisco in Guimarães (listed here) provides an example of European church architecture and decorative traditions that influenced colonial Brazilian churches. Mercado Modelo is a lively market for crafts and souvenirs where bargaining is common and local artisans often demonstrate their work. Farol da Barra is a historic lighthouse with a maritime museum and excellent sunset views over Barra Beach.
Day 13
Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer is a 1931 statue atop Corcovado Mountain reachable by train or van, offering panoramic views of Rio and reflecting its spiritual and cultural significance. Tijuca Forest surrounds the route, providing a green approach to the summit. Sugarloaf Mountain is accessed by a historic two-stage cable car with sweeping views from Morro da Urca to the summit; sunset is a spectacular time to visit. Copacabana Beach is a lively urban beach framed by an iconic Burle Marx promenade, full of sports, kiosks, and social life. Escadaria Selarón is a colorful mosaic stairway created by Jorge Selarón using tiles from around the world, now a popular photo spot and cultural landmark. Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian is a modern conical cathedral with large stained-glass windows and a striking interior light effect.
Day 14
Santos
(Sao Paulo)
Museu do Café in Santos is housed in the historic Bolsa do Café and explores Brazil's coffee trade with artifacts, exhibits and multimedia. The museum highlights how coffee shaped regional architecture, trade networks, and social history, and includes the original trading floor and displays on production and labor.