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Ride across deserted beaches and
through pristine countryside along the west coast,
where even during the summer months the temperatures
are pleasant due to the light breeze from the
Atlantic.
The area around the mouth of the Rio Sado is a sanctuary of 57,500 acres.
Bottlenose Dolphins play in the mouth of the river Sado. From here on south you'll find
36 miles of deserted beaches interrupted only by lagoons and little fishing
villages. From the estuary of the Sado to the south we find more than 60
miles of white sandy beaches, lagoons and fishing villages. All along you
have a chance of seeing the local schools of dolphins.
 IT-PTPATC
Rates include: Accommodations in rural
hotels and guesthouses, all
meals, wine with lunch, English speaking guide, 6 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights $ 1,445
Single + $ 160
High Season + $130
-- based on
€ 995 / High € 1,095 Single € 110
Non Rider $955
(€ 630)
2008 Dates:
02/17-02/24 04/06-04/13
06/22-06/29
07/13-07/20
07/27-08/03 08/17-08/24
10/12-10/19 11/02-11/09
see availability
Meeting: Lisbon airport at 5:30 p.m.
Transfer:
included from the airport
Level:
Intermediate
Tack:
English
(Portuguese Army saddles, covered with sheep skin
- very comfortable)
Horses:
Lusitanos
Pace : Moderate with
great canters
Min/Max Riders: 6-10
Note:
Max weight 185 lbs.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival at Lisbon and transfer from the airport at 5:30 PM to Grândola's Hotel D.
Lencastre (62 miles south), result of the rebuilding of a
dwelling seigniorial of the 18th century in the centre of city
with a very accessible environment and very charming personnel
it is one of the most recent units of the area. You find there a
very refined ambient where you can slacken in the comfortable
rooms before the first day on horse back. After
dinner you will have your first night of rest in Portugal.
Day
2: We ride through hilly
landscapes to our first destination in Santiago do Cacém. After
the first few canters and gallops, you will notice the Lusitanos'
wonderful character and how sure footed they are. A tasty picnic
is to follow, as our driver usually has something grilled and
fresh salads. In the afternoon, rested after the midday pause,
you ride through the forests of pines and cork oaks. You reach
Pousada da Quinta da Ortiga where the horses will rest for the
night. A short transfer to
Albergaria D.Nuno, an hotel in Santiago do Cacém
with its personal charm and a swimming pool. Spoil
yourselves with a delicious dinner in a local
restaurant eating typical Portuguese food and sleep
in very comfortable rooms.
Day
3:
Start your day with a continental
breakfast. Leaving Quinta da Ortiga you will
start your trail riding across forest of eucalyptus,
with under wood cracking under the shoes of your
mountings. Near Morgavel’s Water Reservoir we stop
for a picnic and a relaxing Siesta. Afterwards,
appreciate the marvellous gallops on sand tracks
that cross the Portuguese country. Evening like the
day before.
Day
4:
After a plentiful breakfast
you start a long ride towards St.Andre. Primarily
sandy trails lead us through fields and forests,
allowing several gallops. Surefooted, your horse
takes you through the woods of the cork oak forests.
In the afternoon, the horses get a rest and you have
the opportunity to visit wild bottlenose dolphins in
its natural habitat, in Sado River near the town of
Setubal. You will have a short half an hour transfer
to Setubal and after the visit you will return to
Hotel Vila Park, at the edge of the Lagoon of
Melides. Tonight we have dinner in the hotel.
Note: Depending on the weather, the program can be
changed, possibly the visit to the Dolphins in the
morning and the riding program in the afternoon. If
the state of the sea does not allow the use of the
boat (very rarely) we will spend the time visiting
the region.
Day
5: The course of the morning
excursion continues in direction of the beach. You will make
long gallops in the beach. Ride through the forests of pines and
by the hills of the Atlantic coast, close to the Lagoon of St
Andre, on the coast of Alentejo. This place gives you an
extraordinary feeling of freedom and rest; quiet
water, the flight of the birds above your heads and
the green of the pines make it a paradisiacal place.
You arrive at the stables of the St. Andre Riding
Center.
Tonight we have dinner at a local
restaurant with traditional local food and sleep in
the same place as the night before.
Day
6: Today you ride from
Sto.Andre towards Grândola. New innumerable wondrous gallops
arise. Lusitanos will carry you safely through forests of pines.
Red ground paths alternate with those of sand, you meet herds of
cows or sheep. On your return and after having watered your
horses, you appreciate a good refreshing shower before the
dinner in Hotel D. Jorge de Lencastre.
Day
7: Today the group rides by the
Serra of Grândola through an undulating landscape and
picturesque villages, where the noise of the shoes of your
horses attract the curious inhabitants of the village out of
their houses. As usual, one makes a pause for the last picnic of
the trail. The horses and the riders take a rest during a nap
after lunch and then proceed to forests of cork oaks. Dinner and
overnight as on the previous night.
Day
8: After breakfast you will be
transported to Lisbon. |
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