Ride & Relax

Introduction
Azores Portugal
This tour is ideal for those who wish to mix riding with sightseeing in the Azores.

Create your personal program to your liking and choose among hiking, horse riding, whale watching and many more activities to discover Faial Island!
The flexibility of the program means this trip can be enjoyed by riders and non riders alike.

Accomodation


Accommodation
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
You can choose your preferred accommodation type for your stationary ride. There is free Wi-Fi access at this property, no matter the room option you choose.



Lodge
The lodge has been built with natural materials and was designed in order to be in harmony with its environment.
You can choose between 3 different rooming options:
- the Panorama Apartments. Each of the 7 apartments have their own entrance with splendid ocean view. They come equipped with one bedroom (double or twin), a spacious bathroom, a small kitchen, a living room and a private terrace.
- the Lodge Rooms. All 4 rooms feature a sea view, a double or twin beds and an ensuite bathroom with hairdryer.  
- the Tiny Houses. The 3 tiny houses are located in the garden and offers beautiful ocean view. They have a Queen size bed, a small bathroom and a kitchenette.



Camping
You will be accommodated in spacious 2-person tents on camp or airbed, with shared bathroom and shower facilities.

Room Occupancy
Solo travelers might be able to share a room with another solo traveler of the same sex in order to waive their single supplement fee - please inquire at time of booking.
This option is currently not available during the pandemic.



Meals
All breakfast are included in your package. Lunches and dinners need to be paid extra.


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

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
You should be comfortable at all paces and in sufficient physical condition to ride for 4-5 hours to join the half-day and full day trail riding activities.
We expect support from our guests in feeding, tacking and cleaning.

Horses
We have about 20 horses are living as a herd in the meadows around the barn, all year round. Our horses are mostly Lusitano and Cruzado Portuguese horses averaging 7 years old.
Anja, our horse specialist and trainer (Horse Academy of Cologne, Germany) and Victor, Trail-Guide (German Trail-Rider-Academy) are training our horses carefully and permanently. In that way they are becoming cooperative, hard-working and relaxed companions.

Equipment
We use equipment approved by the German Trail-Rider Academy.
Our most important piece of equipment is the Trail-Saddle. We only use the First Class Trekker-Saddle from the Italian saddlery Prestige.
Seating, safety and correct fit are without comparison. All saddles are equipped with a Prestige saddle bag for personal stuff and tension belts for your coat.

Guide
All horse-trail guides are entertaining and passionate. They speak English and mostly a second or third language. Experienced in horsemanship and as well trained horseback riders, they have profound knowledge of the island nature, history, social life and small hidden secrets. Safety of the ride is top priority.

Itinerary


NOTE: All trails itineraries are general guidelines and in order to offer our guests the best-riding holiday experience we may change these. Depending on the number of trails running, the season, the weather and national holidays, we may make alterations to itineraries at short notice. All changes are at the operator's discretion.


Your package includes 10 activity units that be exchanged for riding and non-riding activities.
Create your personal program to your liking and choose among the following activities (we need to know which activities you want to do in advance in order to make sure we have enough guides).
It is also possible to purchase more activity units in case you want to do more.



Riding activities

Riding lesson - 45 min. (2 activity units)
Improve your riding seat, become a safer rider, learn to ride in the open terrain, learn to lead a hand horse, and much more. Determine your personal workload with your guide / trainer.

Lusitano Trail - 1.5 h (from 3.5 activity units)
Join our Lusitano trail ride to start learning the basics or to get back into riding after a break from the saddle. Steady paced ride in the countryside with instruction.

Half Day Ride * - 3h (from 4.5 activity units)
Ride our excellent Lusitano and Cruzado Portuguese horses out on trails (2 different itineraries available) through the beautiful island landscape.

Full Day Ride * - 5h (from 7.5 activity units)
Choose between 6 itineraries and ride to some of Faial's most popular attractions. Your trail guide will introduce you to the island. Wild nature and fascinating views await!

*: You must have previous riding experience (intermediate level recommended) to join these activities.



Non-riding activities

Whale watching - 4h (3.5 activity units)
Learn about the huge marine mammals with a team of marine biologists that will accompany you on this exciting tour on the ocean.

Dolphin swim - 4h (3.5 activity units)
Swim with dolphins in their natural element. These gentle animals will approach you within a meter. Marine biologist will accompany you.

Hiking into the volcano crater - 4h (4 activity units)
Explore the deep bottom of the huge island crater, lying at a depth of 400 meters. With your guide you descend and discover the silence.

Half-day hiking tour - 3h (1.5 to 2.5 activity units)
Choose between one of the 3 following trails: Levada Trail (Monday & Thursday), Caldeira Trail (Tuesday & Friday) or Capelinhos Trail (Wednesday & Saturday).

Full day hiking tour - 7h (4 to 4.5 activity units)
Choose between one of the 2 following trails: Lighthouse Trail (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) or Volcano Trail (Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday).

Horta town walk - 3h (2 activity units)
Starting at the Marina you will cross the beach of Porto Pim and visit the whalers museum. Back to town we will show you the old telegraph stations and the Parliament of the Azores. You will visit old gardens, see the marine biology University, the theatre, the market place and old squares and streets. You see the old fortress protecting Horta against pirates and can listen to anecdotes of the colourful Marina and its sailors.

Half-day island tour - 4h (4.5 activity units)
Choose to explore Faial by jeep or bus and visit the island's many attractions: craters, volcano, sea pools and the port city of Horta.

Full day island tour - 8h (4.5 activity units)
Choose to explore Faial by jeep or bus.
We will reach the 1.100m summit of Faial Island to enjoy awesome views to Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa Islands. A small tunnel leads us to the rim of the 400m deep Caldeira. An unbelievable 2.500m wide crater of a "sleeping volcano".
We drive over lonely roads to the beautiful subtropical Bay of Varadouro with its famous rock pools.
Along the Mystery Zone we reach the Volcano of Capelinhos. Time to visit the Interpretation Center of Capelinhos and to climb the old lighthouse (entrance incl.).
On our way back to Horta we will pass the North Coast of the Island and will enjoy a picnic stop at the Lusitano Horse Farm.
Later we pass a traditional whale spotter point and visit the old whalers harbour Salão. You will get in touch with the whale hunting history.
Driving along the North Coast, we head to the old Lighthouse where you still can observe the consequences of the 1998 earthquake.
The great finish will be the volcano Monte da Guia with an unforgettable view to the picturesque town of Horta and Faial Island.

Rates and Dates for Ride & Relax

Dates Note: Sold out dates (as of 10/30/23): May 4-5, June 8-9, July 6-7 + 23-25, August 7-9, September 4-5 + 18-20

Other Info
Meeting: Cedros
Airport: Horta Airport
Transfer: Horta Airport

Climate:
                                                   Horta area

Source: NOAA