The 7-day comfort trail offers great trotting and galloping routes through vineyards, past herds of cattle, along Portuguese quintas and through rolling cork oak forests to the mares and foals of the famous Veiga stud farm and on to Golegã, the ‘horse capital’. Ride on excellently trained Lusitanos and discover the unspoilt landscape of Portugal as well as the culture and hospitality of the Portuguese people. Let yourself be carried through nature by top-trained Lusitanos!

Itinerary

Day 1: Pick-up at Lisbon Airport (approx. one hour's drive). You will be warmly welcomed by the owners at the Quinta. In the afternoon, you will go on a first trial ride to familiarise yourself with the horses. Discover the beautiful landscape of Portugal with its magnificent pine and cork oak forests. In the evening, you can relax and enjoy dinner together. You will eat in the garden of the quinta or at a long table. Overnight stay at the quinta or in a guest house (5 minutes from the quinta, depending on the number of participants and availability).

Day 2: Today you will start from the quinta and ride for approx. 2 hours to a winery, the Quinta da Ribeirinha in Povoa de Santarém. Here you will enjoy a tour and, of course, a fine wine tasting accompanied by a delicious lunch. Afterwards, you will ride for about 2 hours through vineyards and hilly terrain to the first stop, the magnificent Quinta Boa Vista with its beautiful views. This private farm, situated on a hill directly on the Tagus River, is home to a Lusitano breeding programme and is internationally successful in carriage driving competitions. If there are fewer than 4 participants, a longer ride (approx. 5.5 hours) without wine tasting but with a picnic en route will be organised. Overnight stay and dinner in the stately Quinta Boa Vista or at the Quinta.

Day 3: Today you will enjoy the Tejo Valley and experience the charm of the Ribatejo region. You will have plenty of opportunities to trot or gallop. You will leave the Quinta and ride along the Alviela River before reaching the Tagus with its beautiful sandbanks. Passing a few old farmhouses, you will reach a beautiful, special place with a peaceful and quiet atmosphere where you can rest and enjoy your picnic and the wonderful nature around you. In the afternoon, your route takes you through vast cornfields on winding paths near the Tagus River until you arrive in Azinhaga, one of the typical Portuguese villages. After crossing the village, you ride along some fields and meadows with grazing mares. Today's destination is Quinta da Brôa, home to the famous Veiga stud farm. You will be welcomed at the traditional farm, known as the cradle of the Lusitanos and famous for its long tradition. The Veiga family has been breeding Lusitanos for several hundred years. In the evening, you will meet for dinner in Golegã. Riding time approx. 5 hours.

Day 4: In the morning, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast before taking a guided tour of the Veiga stud farm to learn more about this special place. With a little luck, you may see Manuel Veiga (international dressage rider) training one of the horses. After a light snack, you will mount your horse again and ride across the stud farm's meadows, where you will see mares grazing with their foals. The ride then continues along the Boquilobo nature reserve. After a ride of approximately 3.5 hours, you will reach Golegã, the ‘horse capital’, where you will spend the night. Golegã has a very long tradition and is famous for its annual horse fair with shows in November. You will have the opportunity to take a stroll to explore the small streets and hidden traditional shops and coffee bars or visit Sabine Marciniak, an artist who has dedicated her life to her passion, painting Lusitano horses and equestrian art. In the evening, you will gather for dinner in the main square of Golegã.

Day 5: After breakfast, you will saddle up again and leave the horse capital of Golegã, riding through the beautiful streets towards the Tagus River. You will ride along the Tagus and learn more about the region known as the Garden of Lisbon. The very fertile soil next to the river-rich fields produces tomatoes, potatoes, corn, sunflowers, etc. After about 2.5 hours, you will see the magnificent buildings of the Veiga stud farm. Stop for lunch at a restaurant in a small village and enjoy authentic Portuguese cuisine. Refreshed, you continue your ride past eucalyptus trees, cork oaks and herds of cows before arriving at Quinta Mata Rural, where you will spend the night. This is a charming, family-run farm that produces olive oil and breeds livestock. Riding time approx. 5-6 hours.

Day 6: Today you leave this little paradise and head back towards the Quinta where you started. Gently rolling hills and large cattle farms accompany you uphill and downhill with magnificent views of olive trees and cork oaks until you reach the picnic area, where Antonio is already waiting for you with delicious food. You then continue riding through vineyards and around a small lake where the horses can drink. The horses can already sense that you are approaching the stable. Once there, you say goodbye to your faithful four-legged companions and are expected for dinner. Riding time approx. 5 hours.

Day 7: After breakfast, transfer to the airport and departure.

Subject to change.

Accomodation
During the tour, you will stay at the Quinta or at ed country estates in double rooms or, on request, in a single room (at an additional cost). The Quinta is beautifully situated in the countryside with simple and clean rooms. The stables are also very close to the rooms. The grounds include an outdoor riding arena, an indoor riding hall and a swimming pool. A cosy dining room and lounge invite you to spend pleasant evenings.

Saddle & Tack: Portuguese saddles and tack.

Experience: Advanced riding skills: confident in all gaits and experienced in trail riding. Maximum weight 90 kg. Children aged 12 and over with sufficient riding experience are welcome on the trail, but only when accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also riding.

Horses: At to stand you will find well-trained, very well-trained, enduring and sure-footed Lusitano horses. They are easy to ride and are regularly trained. Maximum rider weight: 90kg.