Zigotours Madeira Autumn Camp: The Island of Flowers

The stay is run star-fashion from Funchal, so the group unpacks once and travels out from there. Funchal itself is covered on foot - the old quarters, the Mercado dos Lavradores, the Madeira Story Centre, then the cable car up to the heights and the wicker toboggan back down. One day goes to the north-west: the easy and spectacular walk to the 25 Fontes, then the natural swimming pools of Porto Moniz. A boat trip goes out in search of dolphins, and of whales for the lucky ones. Another day covers the north-east, with the Levada do Caldeirao Verde hike through jungle scenery for the walkers, and Santana with its traditional houses and its cable car. There is canyoning, and a circuit of the island's viewpoints: Curral das Freiras hidden in the mountains, the fishing village of Camara de Lobos and the cliffs of Cabo Girao.

The price published by the operator covers accommodation, meals, the activities and excursions of the published programme, and insurance. Zigo Tours takes out cover for every participant - assistance and repatriation, individual accident, third-party liability, legal costs and baggage - and advances medical expenses during the stay. Travel is by scheduled flight with a stopover, out of Paris to Funchal and back. Pre-travel from regional cities can be arranged by the operator's transport department; it is quoted case by case and is not part of the published price.

The group sleeps in a youth hostel, in dormitories of four to eight beds. Showers and toilets are shared and sit outside the rooms. A collective kitchen is available, together with a common room that doubles as an activity room.

Breakfasts are taken at the accommodation, lunch is a picnic while the group is out, and the evening meal is either in a small local restaurant or cooked by the group itself.

Walking is the backbone of the programme: the 25 Fontes path, the Levada do Caldeirao Verde through jungle scenery, and the viewpoints of the south coast. Alongside it there is canyoning, swimming in the natural volcanic pools of Porto Moniz, a boat trip watching for dolphins and whales, the cable car above Funchal and the wicker toboggan descent, and a treasure hunt through the capital.

The hostel provides a collective kitchen the group can use, a common room that doubles as an activity room, and shared shower and toilet blocks outside the dormitories. Travel around the island is by minibus driven by the team.

A small group - at least twelve participants and at most twenty-four - with a qualified director and activity leaders, one adult for every eight young people. The island is covered from one base, so days are spent outdoors rather than moving luggage.