A figure standing on the edge of a cliff above the ocean at sunset on the São Lourenço peninsula

Guiding in Madeira with Worldee (2022)

· Travel · 3 min read

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In 2022 I set off on a trip in a role I'd never tried before: as a guide. The travel platform Worldee was looking for its first Travel Buddies, people who know a destination and lead a small group around it. And I went with them to Madeira, an island I knew and loved. It was a trial by fire. And the start of a new chapter.

What Worldee and a Travel Buddy are

Worldee is a Czech travel platform and community where people share and plan their trips and can join group trips. A Travel Buddy is the guide who leads the trip: knows the places, organises the programme and looks after the group. I was one of the very first.

123456FunchalPico do ArieiroPonta de São LourençoCaldeirão VerdeFanalPorto MonizThe group's route around Madeira32°46′ s. š.S10 km
Mapa: The group's route around Madeira
  1. Funchal – base and the old town 32.667° N, 16.924° W
  2. Pico do Arieiro – sunrise above the clouds 32.736° N, 16.929° W
  3. Ponta de São Lourenço – a cliff-top hike 32.745° N, 16.705° W
  4. Caldeirão Verde – along a levada to a waterfall 32.791° N, 16.913° W
  5. Fanal – the misty forest 32.810° N, 17.143° W
  6. Porto Moniz – lava pools 32.867° N, 17.167° W

The itinerary

The week was built on a mix of hikes, photography and taking it easy:

  1. Funchal: the Mercado dos Lavradores market, the old town and a taste of poncha.
  2. Sunrise on Pico do Arieiro and a ridge hike: more in from the coast to above the clouds.
  3. Ponta de São Lourenço: a trek over the coloured cliffs in the east of the island.
  4. Along a levada to Caldeirão Verde: rainforest, tunnels and a waterfall.
  5. Fanal and the north-west: the misty laurel forest and the lava pools at Porto Moniz. More in time to switch off.
  6. A free day to rest or for a trip of your choice.
  • Guiding in Madeira with Worldee (2022), photograph 1 of 3
  • Guiding in Madeira with Worldee (2022), photograph 2 of 3
  • Guiding in Madeira with Worldee (2022), photograph 3 of 3

What it's like to be a guide for the first time

Nerve-racking. But above all joyful. I found out that guiding isn't only about knowing the way. You have to sense how everyone feels, who needs a break, who's afraid of heights and who'd like to go further. You need a plan B when there's fog on the mountain or a route is closed. And you have to be able to crack jokes at four in the morning in a car park.

Photographing with a group

Most of the participants wanted to bring home good photos. At each place I showed compositions, helped set up cameras and phones, taught long exposures at waterfalls and took portraits. My biggest joy was when, at the end of the trip, someone showed me a photo they'd taken themselves and were proud of.

What came next

Madeira convinced me that guiding is the path I want to take. A year later I led a group in Iceland with Worldee, and today I run my own northern lights trips in Norway: more in northern lights hunting in Tromsø.

Faq

Is it worth going to Madeira with a group?

If you don't want to deal with car hire, difficult roads and planning hikes, yes. And with a photographer guide you'll bring home better photos too.

How many days for Madeira?

Ideally a week. You'll manage the main hikes and still have time to rest.

When is the best time for Madeira?

Madeira has a mild climate all year. Spring and autumn are ideal for hiking; it rains more often in winter.

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