This Unicorn horse riding holiday in Portugal is set in the most beautiful location. The Costa Azul, also know as the Blue Coast, encompasses the southern stretch of Portugal's west coast. It is remote and unspoilt with deserted beaches and pristine countryside all along the coast, even during the summer months. The area around the mouth of the river Rio Sado is a sanctuary of 57,500 acres. Dolphins play in the mouth of the river. From here on south you'll find 36 miles of deserted beaches only interrupted by lagoons and little fishing villages. Discover this jewel on the back of a first class Lusitano. Ride from the lush and green coastal mountains of Grandola, overgrown with pine and cork-oak forests, to the inviting beaches of turquoise waters. Simple but comfortable hotels are used and the food is regional.
2010 low season: £115/€129/$175
2010 high season: £96/€109/$149
SAMPLE ITINERARY - BOTTLENOSE TRAIL
Day 1
Sunday: Arrival at Lisbon and transfer at 5:30 PM to Grândola's Hotel D. Lencastre. This hotel is a product of the rebuilding of a seigniorial dwelling of the 18th century in the centre of town with a very welcoming atmosphere and very charming staff. It is one of the most recent units of the area. With a very refined ambience, you can relax in the comfortable rooms before the first day on horseback. After dinner you will have your first night of rest in Portugal.
Day 2
Monday: Our trail begins. We ride through hilly landscapes to our first destination in Santiago do Cacém. After the first few canters, you will notice the Lusitanos' wonderful character and how sure footed they are. A tasty picnic is to follow, our driver usually has something grilled with fresh salads. In the afternoon, rested after the midday break, you ride through the forests of pines and cork oaks. You reach the Quinta da Ortiga where the stables for the horses are located, and you are then transferred the short distance to the 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 comfortable rooms.
Day 3
Tuesday: There is a large breakfast to start the day. Today we cross forests of eucalyptus, and hear the cracking under the shoes of your mounts. Near Morgavel's Water Reservoir we stop for a picnic and a relaxing Siesta. Afterwards we have the opportunity for some fast canters on the sandy tracks that cross the Portuguese country. Evening like the day before.
Day 4
Wednesday: 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 we have the opportunity to visit wild bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat, in the 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 Moinho Velho, 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, with the Dolphin visit taken 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 exploring the region.
Day 5 Thursday: The course of the morning excursion continues in the direction of the beach. We will have long gallops along the beach, along 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 very special place. In the afternoon we arrive at the stables of the St. Andre Riding Centre. Tonight we have dinner at a local restaurant with traditional local food and sleep in the same place as the night before.
Day 6
Friday: Today we ride from St.Andre towards Grândola, with many opportunities for faster riding. Our Lusitanos will carry us safely through forests of pines. Red earth paths alternate with those of sand and you meet herds of cows or sheep. On our arrival and after having watered our horses, we appreciate a good refreshing shower before dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight is spent in Hotel D.Jorge Lencastre in Grândola.
Day 7
Saturday: Today the group rides by the Sierra of Grândola through an undulating landscape and picturesque villages, where the noise of your horse's shoes attract the curious inhabitants of the village out of their houses. As usual, we make a pause for the last picnic of the trail. The horses and the riders take a nap after lunch and then we proceed to forests of cork oaks. Dinner and overnight as on the previous night.
Day 8 Sunday: Transfer back to Lisbon after breakfast. Departure flights must be booked no earlier than 12:00.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
NOTES - BOTTLENOSE TRAIL
Set transfer time on Day 1 is 17:30 (arrival up to 17:00) and flights must be booked to depart no earlier than 12:00 on Day 8.
Children under 12 sharing their parents rooms are eligible for a 20% discount.
The weight limit for this ride is 13 st/185 lb/84 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation, meals, wine with lunch, horse riding, English speaking guide and luggage transfers and transfer to and from Lisbon airport at set times.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to Portugal, drinks with dinner and bar drinks, items of a personal nature.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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