Dolphin Coast Ride - Portugal

The Costa Azul, also know as the Blue Coast, encompasses the southern stretch of Portugal's west coast. It is as long and beautiful as the Algarve (Portugal's south coast), but while the Algarve is overcrowded with tourists, one finds deserted beaches and pristine countryside all along the west 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. Your accommodation for three nights will be in an historic Puosada, then enjoy 2 nights in the heart of the country and a further 2 nights near the coastline by the Lagoon of Santo Andre.

IT-PTPATD
Rates include: Accommodations with 2 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels with 2 nights in a historic Poussada, all meals, wine with lunch, English speaking guide, 6 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights  $ 1,825   Single + $ 265
High Season + $100
-- based on € 1275 / 1340    Single  € 185
Non Rider: $ 955  (€ 660)
2008 Dates: 
03/02-03/09    04/13-04/20    06/15-06/22
06/29-07/06    08/31-09/07   
10/05-10/12    10/19-10/26    11/16-11/23
  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 Monte das Faias (100 km south). This rural house integrates a building of typical ‘alentejana’ architecture and is located in the region of Grândola. It is in a very accessible environment with charming personnel and equipped as a modern hotel. Here you find an elegant atmosphere where you can swim in the pool or relax 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 with its personal charm and a swimming pool in which you can take your first bath. Pousadas are public hotels that were built in historical walls. Spoil yourselves with delicacies during the evening and sleep in very comfortable rooms.
Day 3: Copious breakfast to start your day. You cross 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 marvelous gallops on sand tracks that cross the Portuguese country. Evening like the day before.
Day 4: After a plentiful breakfast we start a long ride towards St.Andre. Primarily sandy trails lead us through fields and forests, allowing several fast canters. Your sure-footed 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 dolphins in their natural habitat, in the Sado River near the town of Setubal. We will have a small half an hour transfer to Setubal and after the visit you will return to Moinho Velho, at the edge of the Lagoon of Stº André. Tonight we stay overnight at the Hotel Vila Park and will dine a seafood speciality.
Day 5: The course of the morning excursion continues in direction of the beach. We will have long gallops 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 one 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. In the afternoon we arrive at the stables of the St. Andre Riding Centre. Dinner and accommodation as the night before.
Day 6: Today we ride from St.Andre towards Grândola. Many opportunities for faster riding arise today. Our Lusitanos will carry us safely through forests of pines. Red earth paths alternate with those of sand, you meet herds of cows or sheep. On our return and after having watered our horses, we appreciate a good refreshing swim before the dinner in Monte das Faias.
Day 7: 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: After breakfast you will be transported to Lisbon.