Train & Trail in Monte Velho

Introduction
Alentejo / Blue Coast Portugal
Stay in an upscale boutique hotel and mix dressage lessons with trail rides in the beautiful countryside.

This package offers a great mix of dressage lessons and trail rides for various levels. Ride locally bred Lusitano horses across the rolling landscapes of Alentejo and improve your dressage skills with renowned instructors.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same accommodation.

Description
You will be staying in a beautiful Eco-Resort that blends with the surrounding countryside.

Each room opens to a furnished balcony with an amazing view to the dam. The rooms all offer modern conveniences, including air conditioning, wireless internet, a multi-channel television, and a Nespresso coffee machine. The ensuite bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a glass wall and features a modern shower cabin.

Your package includes accommodation in a Standard room (20 square meters) but it is possible to upgrade to a Premium room (25 square meters) for an extra fee. The Premium rooms offer the same amenities as the standard rooms but they also feature a balcony.

The rooftop pool offers amazing panoramic views. There are few seating areas around the pool with umbrellas and sunbeds, where guests can relax.
The resort also features a Jacuzzi and a Sauna, that guests can enjoy at no extra fee. It is possible to book massages for an extra cost (please, inquire for rates).

Room Occupancy
Single travelers must pay a single room supplement.


Meals
The package includes all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day.
If booking the short stay option (4 days) lunch is also included on your arrival or departure day.

The meals are served buffet style. We offer an alleged version of Portuguese cuisine.
Our buffet always includes some bread and cheese as well as cold meats, salads, vegetables, one meat of fish course and a desert. We try to vary the options during the week.


Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with advance notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

* Please note that anyone who is over the weight limit will not be allowed to ride onsite in order to protect our horses.

The Eco-Resort features its own Stud Farm. The owners have been dedicated to horse breeding of Lusitanos since 1994. Our Stud Farm, was originally formed by a group of five Alter Real mares, which were crossed initially with the stallion Xaquiro, with the goal of creating well conformed horses morphologically and especially with very good gaits.
Most of our horses show a great aptitude for dressage which is the main objective of the Stud Farm. Please, note that none of the horses used on this program are able to perform at Grand Prix level.

Children
We are able to provide riding lessons and trail rides to kids 10 and older, with a good riding level. Younger kids or those with less experience might be able to attend riding lessons on request.

Weight Limit
Our Lusitano horses are amazing and very fun to ride but they tend to be a little more fragile than other breeds. In order to protect our horses, we will not allow riders weighing over 200 lbs (90kg). Riders who are over the weight limit will not be allowed to ride on site and no refund will be issued. Please, be truthful about your weight to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Itinerary

Your package includes 2 riding sessions per day (no riding on arrival and departure days), with 1 lesson and 1 trail ride per riding day.
Please, note that Sunday is a rest day for horses and the instructors. Because of this, we recommend that guests arrive at the resort on a Sunday.

Each riding lesson is 1-hour long and has a maximum of two students per instructor. The lessons can take place in one of the 2 indoor arenas or in the Olympic-sized outdoor arena (60 m x 20 m).
The lessons take place anytime between 9 am and noon for the morning session and between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm for the afternoon session.
All our instructors are engaged in Dressage competitions with our stud farm horses, and have regular training with the world most renowned trainers.

Each trail ride lasts for about 1.5 hour. Riding groups during trail rides are no bigger than 6 riders (5 guests + 1 guide). The trails are organized in groups with similar riding levels, and are mostly done at a walk, but there is always the possibility of some trotting and cantering in flat areas, if the rider feels comfortable with the horse.
During the summer months (July and August), we ask not to book 2 trail rides on the same day as the afternoons can be really hot.



Non Riding Activities
The resort offers several non-riding activities at no surcharge.

Fishing
The resort has a small lake where many 'axigan' fish live.

Canoeing
Two canoes are available for guests to use on the dam. Each canoe can fit up to 3 people.

Biking
There are 6 bikes that can be borrowed to explore the beautiful surrounding landscape.

Rates and Dates for Train & Trail in Monte Velho

Dates Note:
Most 2024 dates are sold with some availability in July, August, September and December

Other Info
Meeting: Arraiolos
Airport: Lisbon Airport
Transfer: Lisbon Airport

Climate:
                                               Arraiolos area