Short Break in Portugal

Day One

Arrive at Lisbon or Faro airport where you will be met and transferred to the equestrian centre. You will initially be given a short tour around the facilities and shown to your first class, newly renovated room with ensuite facilities. The centre where you will be staying for this fantastic holiday is set in breath-taking surroundings nestled in picturesque pasture land punctuated by cork and olive trees. At dinner, the chief instructor, Nuno Baptista, will discuss with you your aspirations in order to choose which horse you will be best suited to for the course of your stay.

Day Two

After breakfast today you will have an equitation lesson on one of the equestrian centres expertly trained horses all under the watchful eye of Nuno. Make the most of this opportunity to draw as much knowledge as possible from your vastly experienced chief instructor. After lunch you will be heading off on a trail ride around the park where the cattle are kept and you can spend some time relaxing getting to know your horse. If you prefer you can try your hand at carriage driving; Nuno is also an expert carriage driver and you can choose to enjoy learning a new art. Dinner will be served in the farm house this evening. The food is a delight and both at lunchtime and in the evening the cook prepares splendid local cuisine featuring the very best of Alentejo’s renowned gastronomy.

Day Three

Breakfast, then you will have a lesson with Nuno in the fantastic facilities offered by this centre. The facilities include an immaculate indoor arena with a gallery and an Olympic size outdoor arena. Nuno will work on any difficulties that you may have found when riding at home. His skill and patience with his horses is evident in every corner of this wonderful farm and he will make your experience here one you will cherish for a lifetime. This afternoon you will set off on a trail ride across open country through the olive groves and the vast expanse of picturesque pasture land in the Southern Alentejo region that is home to the pure bred Lusitano horses. In between riding you can spend your time relaxing by the pool or going for a walk or bike ride allowing you to admire the beautiful surroundings from a different view point.

Day Four

Breakfast, then an opportunity for a wonderful trail ride in the beautiful countryside along miles and miles of tracks where you will hardly meet a single vehicle or carriage. Driving or riding through the cork and olive trees whilst taking in the beautiful centenary trees, fragrances, colours and sounds of this region is an experience to cherish. There will be a chance to relax before the afternoon's equitation lessons in which you can experience amongst other movements shoulder-in, half pass, pirouette, passage, piaffe, flying changes and tempi changes. This afternoon you may like to relax by the Equestrian Centre’s newly built swimming pool or alternatively take some archery lessons, go canoeing or fishing. This evening why not relax in one of the many lounges or sit in the gardens enjoying a glass of wine.

Day Five

Breakfast, then time to say goodbye to your new found friends and horses before being taken to Lisbon or Faro airport where you will depart.

Transfers from Lisbon or Faro airport are available, 50€ pp each way.

For more riding holidays in Portugal please click here. We also offer a wide range of horse riding holidays in the UK and around Europe. If you are looking for a short break or a longer riding holiday, we will find the perfect equestrian holiday for you.

We inspect all the horses in our horse riding holidays to ensure the best quality holiday for you.