Dressage, Beaches and Heritage

Day 1

Arrive at Lisbon airport and head to Arraiolos in the heart of the Alentejo region (1 hrs 25 mins driving). This small but enchanting town is presided over by a XIV castle perched high on a hill top. The area is rich in ancient legends and traditions that are reflected in the architecture of the town’s buildings and in their famous embroidered rugs which demonstrate a clear Arabic influence. There are many small shops in the town selling artisan art and craft work all made locally. In order for you to get the most out of your stay here we have selected a charming local hotel that has been built around an ancient convent dating back to the XVI Century. Here you can relax and appreciate the aesthetic beauty of this wonderful monument whilst enjoying the service and amenities of a modern hotel. If time allows, riding will begin today. You will have the opportunity to start to work towards improving your equestrian skills riding a beautiful Lusitano horse under the careful guidance of our excellent instructor.

Day 2

This morning there will be an equitation/dressage lesson at the wonderful equestrian centre that is located just a few metres walk from the hotel. Here you will be able to continue to refine your riding techniques practising on a well trained Lusitano horse. This afternoon we will organise a ride out for you in the countryside. There is no better way to appreciate and savour the landscape, the colours and the scents of this enchanted region than from the back of a fine horse. This evening you can enjoy a splendid dinner in this beautiful and tranquil setting. We recommend an evening stroll around the historic centre of nearby Arraiolos.

Day 3

This morning, after breakfast, you will have another lesson and after that another ride out in the local countryside. This evening we can arrange a guided tour of the historic town of Evora (10 minutes by car). Evora has a magical quality and appears in front of your eyes as though it were floating on the horizon of the plains of the Alentejo. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the finest examples of a city of the Golden Age of Portugal. Inside the city walls there is a world of contrasts waiting to be discovered, the streets are laid out like a labyrinth, there are squares inundated by light, fountains from the age of the Renaissance, patios with typical Moorish design and Gothic gateways. Everywhere you look there are echoes of the past dating back 2000 years. The tour we will arrange includes a trip in a horse drawn carriage; we can also extend the trip to include a visit to Elvas.

Day 4

Head towards the beautiful beaches of the Costa de Prata this morning. Here you can choose to stay by the historic city of Óbidos in a small and traditional hotel or close to a wonderful lagoon just 10 minutes from the coast. The accommodation at the lagoon is in a rural Portuguese Quinta, where you will be staying in a “tipi”, of course, with all  modern day comforts!  This afternoon your riding will continue again on beautiful Lusitano horses (2 hours). You will ride out enjoying the  natural beauty of the incomparable Silver Coast. Evening meal is included tonight for those staying in the Quinta.

Day 5

This morning we are going to continue putting your technique into practice on the back of a Lusitano horse! This ride will follow a longer route along the cliff paths of the region. Leaving the camp you will follow the river banks of the River ‘Real’ to the shores of the Lagoa do Obidos. Those who wish to can go for more trotting, cantering or even a gallop. After this you will contine in a Westerly direction between the lagoon and a cliff lined forest, where a stony path leads up to onto a ridge giving you a stunning view of the lagoon. Dinner is included for those staying in the Quinta.

For those with transport, this evening we highly recommended that you visit Óbidos. Encircled by a ring of medieval walls and crowned by the Moorish castle (rebuilt by D. Dinis), Óbidos is one of the most perfect examples of a medieval fortress. In its original state the town would have been entered through the southern gate of Santa Maria, embellished with eighteenth-century azulejo decoration. Inside the walls, which at sunset take on a  beautiful golden colouring, you can sense a cheerful medieval ambience created by the narrow winding streets and old whitewashed houses bordered with blue or yellow. Manueline embrasures and windows remind us that King D. Manuel I carried out major works here in the sixteenth century, and masses of colourful flowers and plants smother the picturesque streets and its houses.

Day 6

This morning after breakfast, you will be preparing for a very special horseback adventure. Today we will be following a longer route that we estimate will include around 4 hours of riding. Your guide will lead you along the coastal paths that offer truly stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. You will be heading north towards Porto Covo, riding along the coast, tracing the contours of the Morgavel ravine where you will see the remains of a Neolithic necropolis. You will continue heading north through the tiny fishing village of Porto Covo, here the streets end in the sea. Further along the coast the cliffs overhang the beaches offering spectacular views. Here the tracks are perfectly suited to enjoy a canter or gallop. A picnic lunch will be served in the ravine and you may like to enjoy a refreshing swim whilst the horses rest a little. After lunch we will be riding to the enchanted Vale do Gaio; the colourful flowers, shrubs and bushes of the valley give the countryside a fairytale quality! We will then return back along the edge of the lagoon and have a quick stop at the beach café for a refreshing drink. In the evening you will have time to absorb the peace and tranquillity of this charming coastal zone, dinner this evening for those staying in the Quinta (tipis).

Day 7

Today you will be heading for Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. Here we have organised a guided tour of this spectacular city with one of our excellent local guides, we can include tickets to watch the wonderful display by The Royal Riding School of Portugal (Wednesday performances) and/or tickets to visit The Carriage Museum. For those who already know the city we can offer you the opportunity to enjoy a tour of the historic city of Sintra by horse drawn carriage (35 minutes from Lisbon). Lisbon has excellent train links to Sintra. This evening we suggest that you enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner in one of the restaurants of the Fado of Lisbon to complete this unforgettable equestrian escape.

Day 8

Return to the airport this morning for your flight home.

Accommodation

For the accommodation you can choose between hotels or you can stay in B&B type accommodation plus the tipis on the coast.

The cost for 3 nights in Arraiolos in a lovely hotel on half board plus 3 nights in a hotel in Obidos and one night in Lisbon on B&B plus the riding as described would be £875 per person.

Staying in a rural B&B in Arraiolos plus 3 nights in the Tipis and one night in a hotel in Lisbon all on B&B plus the riding as described would be £795 per person.

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