Horse Riding

Day 1

Arrival in Lisbon and transfer to the farm

Arrival at Lisbon Airport. A private transfer to the rural house where you'll be staying for the next 3 days. This property is part of an 800 hectare farm of cork trees, located between the small towns of Coruche and Almeirim. This is a place where you can enjoy the magic and tranquility of nature in its purest sense.

Dinner on the first evening will be at a typical restaurant close to the farm, where you will taste the main specialities of the local Alentejo cuisine.

Day 2

Ride in the Valleys

Breakfast at the farm.
We will start the day with a short drive to the largest agriculture, cattle and forest farmstead in Portugal. Here you will have a first contact with the Puro Lusitano horse at the equestrian school. Enjoy a first horseride through the cork plantages and rice fields, which are unique to this landscape. Depending on your riding level, the instructor can direct you to courses along and cross the river.
A delicious picnic will be prepared as lunch based on the traditions of Alentejo cuisine.
Afterwards we continue having some fast canters on the trails, that cross this part of the Portuguese countryside. Then, we suggest a visit to the property's winery where you will have a wine tasting guided by an official winemaker followed by a traditional dinner.
Back to the farm, enjoy the beautiful starry night sky.

Day 3

Ride & Wine

After breakfast, we will visit one of the oldest Lusitano Horse stud farms in Portugal, named after its owner, a fighting bulls breeder - the late António da Veiga Teixeira. The purpose of this stud farm is to train animals for bullfighting, work riding, leisure and dressage. Annually it exports several horses to Europe and Americas. We will visit this space and have contact with the bulls besides the horses.
Lunch will be served at Almeirim village where you can taste the infamous Sopa de Pedra (Stone Soup) based on an old folk story in which hungry strangers convince the people of a town to each share a small amount of their food in order to make a meal that everyone enjoys.
In the afternoon, we will visit a Quinta with vestiges of wine production from the times of the Roman occupation and distributed over 2 types of soils: the moorland on sandy soils and Sorraia valley on alluvial soils. Here, you will taste the history and diversity of the wines of this region.
Dinner and overnight at the farm.

Day 4

The Portuguese Equestrian Traditions

Before departing today please prepare all your belongings to go to the next accommodation in Estremadura. In the morning we will visit Santarém city and some of its history. We will join a local farmer to meet real Puro Lusitano horses and learn a bit more about them.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Santarém.
In the afternoon, check-in the new accommodation farm. You will have some free time to explore all the facilities of the Equus Salgadas property, spa and rural houses. All rooms are inspired by the Portuguese Equestrian traditions.
Dinner and overnight at Equus Salgadas.

Day 5

Dressage and Working Equitation

Breakfast. During the morning, we will visit one of the largest equestrian sport complexes in Europe. Its main purpose is to preserve and teach Portugal’s long and renowned heritage of classical horsemanship and equestrian art. It organizes various National and International Competitions and Championships of Dressage, Jumping of Obstacles, among others. You will participate in one of the active workshops and courses available, depending on your horseriding level.
Lunch in a near restaurant. Then, we will attend a multimedia equestrian show that integrates, including the World Riding Champion, Pedro Torres.
Back to the Equus Salgadas to relax, dinner and overnight.

Day 6

Sintra National Park

Breakfast. In the morning, we will visit the Equestrian Centre of Grande Leziria, created exclusively for the Lusitano horse and for the teaching and practice of all modalities related to it.Here we will meet its owner Luis Valença and learn precious tips of the horseback riding activity based on an Equestrian School destined to the Traditional Portuguese Art.
Then, after lunch, we will spend the rest of the day "breathing in" the local culture. We will visit Sintra village and its Natural Park including a visit to the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
Back to the country house for dinner and overnight.

Day 7

Equestrian Art School and Tour of Lisbon

Breakfast at the farm. Visit to the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, which is located next to the Botanical Gardens and right next to Belém Palace, has as its mission to conserve and promote the Alter Real-bred Lusitano horse and uphold the Portuguese tradition of Haute École through the selection, training and exhibition of Pure Blood Lusitano horses from the Alter Real Stud Farm. It is an equestrian cultural heritage that remains unique in the world.
Lunch will be served in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon, we will have a free tour in Lisbon center, where you can explore the main sights of the capital of Portugal.
A farewell dinner combined with a fado entertainment show will be served in a typical restaurant.
Back to the farm and overnight.

Day 8

Return Home

After breakfast, there will be a transfer back to Lisbon International Airport for your departure.