PG-SANSTA7/618

Alentejo Center - Sanguineira Estate Ride

The elegant estate is situated 100 miles northeast of Lisbon in the upper Alentejo. More and more visitors avoid the overcrowded beaches in search of more tranquility and peace in a pretty setting. This is why we recommend the newly renovated estate. The estate offers a stress-free vacation along with beautiful rides that can be combined with other tours. 
Embedded in the lovely rolling hills of the higher Alentejo region and hidden away in a fertile valley lies this country estate. Canter across meadows and pastures to some of the highest points in Alentejo from where you can see all the way over to Spain. 
In addition advanced riders have the option to take lessons at the beautiful riding center with covered indoor and outdoor riding arenas in the morning and ride out in the afternoon. 
The estate offers four country-style guest houses each with 2 or 3 private rooms with kitchen, bathroom, and living room with fireplace. In some cases 2 rooms share one bathroom. Breakfast ingredients are brought to your room. The other meals are served in the main house. The facilities include an outdoor swimming-pool.
The stables are home to 14 Portuguese horses, well trained and dependable. Riders have to be comfortable in all gaits.

PG-SANSTA     
2002 Rates include accommodation, all meals, 5 hours of group dressage lessons, 10 hours of hacking, or 15 hours of hacking only. English speaking guide. 
7 days/ 6 nights  $995  Single +$185    
non-rider: $ 595

Open year-round  No riding on Saturday. Sunday-Saturday
Group Transfer from Lisbon: $195 for up to 4 people - pay locally, or by scheduled bus to Ponte de Sor ($25). Or rent a car from $140 per week.
Additional instruction is subject to availability only and can be paid locally at the center:
5 private lessons $300
5 hours hacking $150

Itinerary
Sunday: Arrival after 4:00 PM and overnight.
Monday: Introduction and short lesson. After lunch riders will be taken on the Vale do Arco trail. This trail will introduce riders to hidden places where time has stood still. White painted cottages, cobbled streets, women who carry their packages on their heads, old mule wells and medieval forts still in use will surprise the riders along the way. You may stop for a drink in one of the little cafes and get acquainted with the local people who are known for their friendliness. A delicious dinner is enhanced by the exchanging of ideas and lively banter of the day's activities. After dinner guests can partake in games of chess, snooker, drinks in front of the fireplace or a lovely night stroll. Your wonderful room with comfortable bed awaits you.
Tuesday: At 11 am riders will be taken on a trail visiting the highest point of the region with an exceptional view of many natural and historic sites. Riders will also cross an old airfield built over a hundred years ago by the great uncle of your host. Ancient eucalyptus trees flow over this vast area hiding stories of civil war and stormy times of the history of this country. Afternoon is free for relaxation.
Wednesday: The morning is open to optional riding lessons. After lunch the remainder of the day can be spent relaxing or taking the chance to visit the famous stud of the Royal Horses in Alter do Chao, which is only 40 minutes away. Or you can part in a long afternoon ride into the countryside.
Thursday: After breakfast you spend the morning on a 4 hour ride, known as the 'Vale das Mos' ride. This ride takes you through wonderful countryside with an abundance of hidden lakes containing rare water birds. Pass through small fertile valleys where locals grow many types of produce. The land is still plowed in a primitive manner with the help of mules or bulls. Storks and herons are a common sight on the fields. With a brief canter you might reach a old village with gleaming white Portuguese cottages. Lunch at 1:30 p.m. Afternoon is available for optional riding instructions.
Friday: After breakfast optional group lessons will start. Lunch will be taken at the estate and in late afternoon the last trail ride will begin. This trail ride will include long sandy bridle ways and comfortable canters or smooth trotting over wild flower fields and vast valleys where sheep and goat herds are grazing. Through orange or lemon groves, you will arrive at a distinctive nearby village for a drink. The trail back to the farm leads through oak or pine tree forests where riders will see wild pigs running free in the forest or even a fox. The overwhelming of nature and calmness of this area should take stress out of anyone on the ride. Dinner at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday: Departure

Due to seasonal conditions, daily schedules may change in order to provide the best program. Programs offering more lessons or more trail riding are also available.