Dec 2, 2025
Transformative experience - We spent two unforgettable days exploring Madeira with Joel, and it became not only the highlight of our trip, but a transformative experience of how we would love to learn about new places in future. A tour with Joel feels more like visiting a close friend’s hometown: someone who genuinely wants you to feel at home too, sharing honest recommendations, incredible food, and the most memorable experiences. He knows exactly where to go for the best weather, the best views, and the quietest spots away from the crowds.
Joel is also a wonderfully smooth and confident driver, which made the journey very comfortable.
What really sets him apart is his energy and passion. There wasn’t a single dull moment: just fascinating stories, curious facts, jokes, breathtaking viewpoints, and insider tips you would never discover even with chatGPT. The tour is fully tailored to your interests, whether that means popular sights, hidden gems, or even specific food and drink preferences.
We travelled with our teenage daughter, and she genuinely loved every moment 😄, and that says a lot! These tours didn’t just add to our vacation; they transformed it. We left Madeira dreaming about coming back some time again, and that’s entirely thanks to Joel!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 19, 2025
All day tour of the East side of Maderia - Joel was an amazing Tourguide. His passion and knowledge of Maderia shone through. His English was exceptional and he had a wicked sense of humour which all added to our amazing Tour of the East side of the Island, including off roading and being taken to hidden gems only known to locals. Highly recommend
Rachel, Manchester, UK
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 17, 2025
Awesome day with Joel - our captivating guide. Definitely a full day of wonders - From pickup to drop-off Joel was a non-stop font of knowledge for all things Madeira. We ascended Pico do Areeiro and then left it to Joel to show us the north-east corner of the island and Machico. We saw where the locals lived, drank and ate. Drove off the beaten track as well as off-road. Lots of two-way conversation thrown in as well. It was everything we wanted and more. Who’d have thought the underside of the airport would be so fascinating - it really was jaw-dropping. The trip was our best experience in Madeira and highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 13, 2025
Great tour with fantastic flexibility - We had a great time with Joel. He was very knowledgeable about the island and took us to places that we hadn't seen on other tours. While it was more expensive than other tours, it was well worth it since we got to see a lot of the island at our own pace. For example, we gave Fanal a miss since it is so over-touristed, but got to spend more time around Porto da Cruz and Machico. We didn't go to Cabo Girao, but stopped at a miradouro with an equivalent view and no crush of people. We didn't feel rushed, but were able to see a lot of the island. We had a wonderful time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 5, 2025
There is only one way to see the island of Madeira ... this is it. - Firstly, we were recommended to take a tour with Nourishing Experiences by a friend who had taken a tour earlier in 2025. We met our host, Joel, outside our hotel and immediately began a lively conversation about Madeira and what we were looking forward to. Our tour was to start at 9am and finish at 4pm.
So we set off. Wow, what a day. This tour has created some precious memories and we were still talking about it over breakfast this morning. The tour was very interesting and full of great photo opportunities. The tour developed throughout the day to suit us. We stayed longer in some places and spent less time in others. We stopped at a cafe for an unforgettable lunch with a stunning view.
We do not give 5 stars without good reason. This was a day to remember and will form a significant part of our memories of this holiday. The private tour was perfectly suited to give us an awesome day. Joel was a great host and gave us so much information about the history and development of the island. At the end we stopped off at a superb vantage point and watched a plane take off and one land at Funchal airport. We even discussed doing it again but seeing the sights of the west of the island next time we come to Madeira. Can you get a better recommendation for Nourishing Experiences? Book it and enjoy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 23, 2025
Joel is amazing - Joel greeted us outside our hotel and before we got in the car he asked “ what is the top thing you wanna see?”. Told him waterfalls and possibly swim in natural pools. He said we can go but I must advise you they will be packed with tourist so don’t be disappointed when you arrive. Immediately I changed my mind and said no thank you. I then asked what he would recommend and he said “ do you trust me?” Obviously I replied “Hell yeah I do !” And that my friends is how I went on the best super secret Joel tour. Of course some spots had tourist but no major crowds. Got to taste wild flowers and fruits. Even saw a super rare seal that’s a protected species. Joel is so full of information about plants and history. Long story short, it was an amazing adventure
Review provided by Viator
Sep 21, 2025
Amazing - We had the most Enjoyable day yesterday! Joel was our tour guide and he was Amazing !He took us to places we would have never found on our own! He was Fun ,Happy ,Energetic and So Proud of his country ! Seeing Portugal through his eyes was just the best we could have asked for. We spent a Beautiful full day with Joel and felt like family before the day was done ! Thank you Joel we would recommend this tour which made us fall in Love with Beautiful Portugal❤️! Joanne and Augie
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 20, 2025
Brilliant day with an excellent guide - We had a brilliant day out. Joel was an excellent guide, he was knowledgeable and entertaining. We have travelled many times to Maderia and wasnt expecting to see things we hadnt seen before Joel took us to some interesting places which we hadnt been before. It was wonderful being a private tour especilly when you watch eight people crammed into a jeep tour!! sardines spring to mind definitely worth the extra money. We will definitely use again next year when back in Maderia, and would want to use Joel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 12, 2025
Madeira Island - East Section - Great way to see the island and learn about its history. I enjoyed a traditional tomato soup with egg and an espanada fish entree at a local restaurant on the way up to the Pico do Aireiro mountain. Views from the top were among the most stunning I have ever seen.
Review provided by Viator
Aug 31, 2025
Wonderful full day tour - We are a family of 4 with two boys aged 12 & 9. We had a wonderful full day tour with Joel. He was super friendly and very knowledgeable and tailored our tour around us taking us to places we would never have found on our own. We explored routes that won't feature on the tourist maps, didn't rush us at any of our stops and kept us entertained for the whole day. He recommended places to eat and dishes to try too. It really was a highlight of our holiday and we would definitely have another tour to explore more of the island the next time we visit x
Review provided by Tripadvisor