Europe
The Hidden Coast
Portugal's Atlantic Edge
Portugal sits at the westernmost edge of continental Europe — the monument at Cabo da Roca reads 'where the land ends and the sea begins'. A nation central to the age of navigation, it holds not only fairytale medieval towns and castles but also a magnificent coastline and island scenery still little known to Chinese travellers.
Madeira is a magical 'mountain of flowers and fruit' wrapped in warm air. The writer Sanmao put it this way: Madeira is simply Madeira — that thin, cool air is poetry in the Portuguese manner, romance down to the air itself. Voted one of the world's ten 'paradises on earth', it waits quietly to be discovered.
In twelve days we gather the essence of Portugal's southern coast and the Madeira islands: sea caves and arches, net-like reefs, a stilt-pier fishing village, the enchanted laurel forest and volcanic shores — together with the rich variety of authentic Portuguese cuisine.
Highlights
- Three nights on the Algarve, holding out for every sunrise and sunset
- The 'alien reefs' of Milfontes, revealed only at low tide
- A century-old stilt-pier fishing village on the Sado
- The World Heritage laurel 'enchanted forest'
- Five nights on Madeira, locations chosen flexibly with the weather
- Portuguese cuisine and slow-paced little towns
Itinerary
Day 01
Arrival day · Lisbon
Arrive this morning in Lisbon, Portugal's capital — a city built over seven hills, with the beautiful Tagus flowing past. Once settled, walk the Rossio square and the Avenida da Liberdade, or climb to São Jorge castle for views over old Alfama and the river.
Day 02–04
Three days on the Algarve coast
After breakfast we drive south to the Algarve. Three days moving between shooting points along the southern coast: magical sea caves and rock arches, comfortable sun and sand between sessions, and the chase for sunrise and sunset. In spare hours, wander the slow, very Portuguese little towns.
Day 05
South coast → Vila Nova de Milfontes
A last sunrise on the south coast, then north to Vila Nova de Milfontes. Sunset on the coast here — natural net-like reefs that only emerge at low tide, like a fantastic alien world.
Day 06
Milfontes → Sado estuary fishing village
After the sunrise shoot, on to a tiny riverside fishing village in the middle of the Sado nature reserve, south of Lisbon. Its wooden stilt pier reaches hundreds of metres into the muddy shore and has anchored local boats for over two centuries — also a great place for Portuguese seafood rice and squid rice. We shoot a wonderful sunset here.
Day 07
Fishing village → Madeira
Sunrise at the village, then to Lisbon airport for the flight to Madeira. In the afternoon, sunset in the UNESCO-listed 'enchanted forest': 800-year-old trees bearded with moss, fog threading through wind-shaped crowns, the light changing by the second.
Day 08–11
Four days on Madeira
Four days choosing locations with the weather: the laurel enchanted forest, lava sea stacks by the shore, the 'octopus town', natural volcanic rock pools and gorgeous coastline — with a chance to swim in the lava pools.
Day 12
Departure · Madeira → Lisbon → home
Usually a morning flight out. We take you to the airport in good time for your flight home — or on to the next leg of your journey (no meals included today).
Photographs
Included
- Eleven nights in 4-star standard double rooms (twin-share)
- One-way flight from Lisbon to Madeira
- Touring minibus, local driver-guide and Chinese-speaking photography mentor
- Hotel breakfasts plus lunches and dinners (Chinese and Western, two-course Western meals)
- All fuel, parking, city-entry and motorway tolls
- All entry and guide fees
Not included
- International flights (can be booked at market rate), travel insurance and Schengen visa
- Driver-guide gratuities (EUR 10 per person per day, EUR 100 total, collected by the tour leader)
- Single-room supplement EUR 800 per person
- Personal expenses and any services not mentioned above
Price
On request
A USD 1,500 deposit confirms the seat.