Sunday – Arrival

Arrival at Lisbon and transfer at 5:30pm. You travel to the south towards Grândola, approximately 100km. Your hotel is Monte das Faias which has a refined ambience and charming staff, you can unwind in comfortable rooms before the first day on horseback. After dinner you will have your first night of rest in Portugal. Dinner and overnight at Monte das Faias*.

Monday – Meet your horse

Today you ride through hilly landscapes to our first destination in Santiago do Cacém. After the first few canters and gallop, you will notice the Lusitanos’ wonderful character and sure‐footedness. For lunch, a delicious picnic will be prepared with grilled meats or fish with salad accompanied by fresh bread and local wine. In the afternoon, rested after lunch and perhaps a siesta, you ride through the forests of pines and cork to Quinta da Ortiga where the horses will rest. There is a small transfer to your hotel, Hotel D. Nuno, with a swimming pool in which you can take your first swim. Spoil yourselves with a pleasant dinner in a local restaurant eating typical Portuguese food. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at Hotel D. Nuno.

Tuesday – Sand tracks and a picnic at the water reservoir

Leaving from Quinta da Ortiga we ride through forest of eucalyptus, with their distinctive perfume and the sound of the bark crunching underneath the horses’ hooves. Near Morgavel’s Water Reservoir we stop for a picnic and a relaxing siesta. Afterwards, appreciate the marvellous gallops on sand tracks across the Portuguese countryside. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at Hotel D. Nuno.

Wednesday – Looking for dolphins

Today, either in the morning or afternoon, you will have a short transfer about 30 minutes to Sebutal at the Sado River where you will enjoy a two hour boat trip to see the dolphins play in the estuary. Dolphin sightings cannot be guaranteed but are very likely. Also please note that the boat trip is subject to weather conditions. When you ride today you will explore sandy trails through fields and forests, allowing several long canters. You ride past the St. Andre Lagoon ‐in this beautiful place you may see flamingos and storks. Ride past the rice fields of the area, which in late summer prior to harvest are an astonishing colour of green. Your accommodation is at the modern, comfortable Hotel Vila Park, where you can enjoy relaxation and a swim in the pool.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Vila Park.

Thursday – Beach ride

The course of the morning excursion continues in direction of the beach. You will make long gallops on the beach. Ride through the forests of pines and by the hills of the Atlantic coast, close to the Lagoon of Santo André, on the coast of Alentejo. This place provides an extraordinary feeling of freedom and tranquility ‐still waters, flights of birds and the green of the pines make it a very special experience. In the afternoon we arrive at the stables of the St. André Riding Centre. Tonight we have dinner at a local restaurant with traditional Portuguese food. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at Hotel Vila Park.

Friday – Ride towards Grândola

Today you ride from St. André towards Grândola. Many opportunities for wondrous gallops are possible. Our Lusitanos will carry you safely along red ground paths that alternate with those of sand, where we might meet herds of cows or sheep. Dinner and overnight at Monte das Faias*.

Saturday – Riding through a beautiful landscape

Today you ride near the Serra of Grândola through a beautiful landscape of picturesque Portuguese villages. We stop for the last picnic of the trail, horses and riders can take a siesta after lunch. Farewell dinner and overnight at Monte das Faias*.

Sunday – Bye bye

After breakfast, transfer back to Lisbon and departure.

* In the trail of August 7th this hotel is replaced by Hotel D. Jorge Lencastre in Grândola