Sample Itinerary: Normal Program -
subject to changes
Note: For the October 18th 2020 and June 6th 2021 departures (see "special program" itinerary description), a beach ride is organized at the end of the trail. All other dates run without the beach ride, but with an exclusive tour of the famous Veiga Stud.
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
After your transfer from Lisbon airport, you are warmly welcomed by the owners of the Quinta. This afternoon, we go on a first introductory ride to familiarize ourselves with the horses. On that ride, you will get a first taste of the beautiful Portuguese landscape with wonderful pine and cork oak forests. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner together.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Quinta or in a guest house (5 minutes from the Quinta, depending on the number of participants and availability)
Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Quinta Boa Vista
Today you make your way on horseback to a winery (Quinta da Ribeirinha) located in Povoa de Santarém. A visit awaits you here and of course a fine wine tasting, accompanied by a delicious lunch.
Afterwards you will ride through vineyards and hilly terrain to your first accommodation. This private farm on a hill directly overlooks the Tagus River and is home to some splendid Lusitano horses.
In case there are less than 4 participants, we will go on a longer ride without wine tasting, but with a picnic on the way.
Riding approx. 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Quinta Boa Vista
Day 3 (Tuesday): Quinta Boa Vista to Quinta da Brôa (Veiga Stud)
Today you enjoy the Tej valley and experience the charm of the Ribatejo region. Again and again you have the opportunity to trot or gallop as you ride along the Alviela River, before reaching the Tagus with its beautiful sand banks. Passing some old farmhouses you reach a beautiful, special place with a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, where you can relax and enjoy your picnic and the wonderful nature around you.
In the afternoon, the trail takes you through huge grain fields on winding paths by the Tagus River, until you arrive in Azinhaga, an excellent representation of typical Portuguese villages. After crossing the village, ride along some fields and meadows with grazing mares. Your goal for the day is Quinta da Brôa, the home of the famous Veiga Stud. You will be welcomed to the traditional courtyard, called the cradle of the Lusitano. The Veiga family has been breeding Lusitano horses for several hundred years. In the evening you meet for dinner in Golegã.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Quinta da Brôa
Day 4 (Wednesday): Veiga Stud and Ride to Golegã
In the morning, after breakfast, you will get a guided tour of the Veiga Stud. If you are lucky, you can see Manuel Veiga (international dressage rider) training one of the horses. After a small snack, get back in the saddle and ride across the meadows of the stud, where you can always see mares with their foals. Then, continue along the Boquilobo nature reserve. In the afternoon, you will reach Golegã, the "capital of horses", where you will spend the night today.
Golegã has a very long tradition and is famous for its annual large horse fair held in November. You have the opportunity to go for a little walk, to explore the small streets and hidden traditional shops and coffee bars or to visit Sabine Marciniak: an artist who has dedicated her life to her passion, painting Lusitano horses and riding. In the evening you will meet up in the main square of Golegã for dinner.
Riding approx. 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Golegã
Day 5 (Thursday): Golegã to Quinta Mata Rural
After breakfast, saddle your horses again and, ride through the beautiful alleys, leaving Golegã to ride along the Tagus River. On this ride, you will learn more about the region that bears the name "Garden of Lisbon". The very fertile soil next to the river-rich fields produces tomatoes, potatoes, corn, sunflowers, etc. For lunch, you stop in the restaurant of a small village and enjoy the authentic Portuguese cuisine. Rested, you get back on your horse and ride past eucalyptus trees, cork oaks and herds of cows before arriving at Quinta Mata Rural where you spend the night. It is a charming, family-run farm that produces olive oil and farmed cattle.
Riding approx. 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Quinta Mata Rural
Day 6 (Friday): Ride back to Quinta
Today we ride back to the first Quinta. Gentle hills and large cattle farms surround us with magnificent views past olive trees and cork oaks. We stop for lunch at the picnic area where Antonio is already waiting for us with delicious food. Afterwards, we continue riding through grapevines and ride by a small lake where the horses can have a drink. The horses already feel that you are approaching the stable. Once there, say goodbye to your loyal four-legged companions get ready for the farewell dinner.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Quinta or in a guest house (5 minutes from the Quinta, depending on the number of participants and availability)
Day 7 (Saturday): Departure
After breakfast transfer to the airport and departure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Sample Itinerary: Special Program -
subject to changes
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
After your transfer from Lisbon airport, you are warmly welcomed by the owners of the Quinta. This afternoon, we go on a first introductory ride to familiarize ourselves with the horses. On that ride, you will get a first taste of the beautiful Portuguese landscape with wonderful pine and cork oak forests. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner together.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Quinta or in a guest house (5 minutes from the Quinta, depending on the number of participants and availability)
Day 2 (Monday): Ride to Quinta Boa Vista
Today you make your way on horseback to a winery (Quinta da Ribeirinha) located in Povoa de Santarém. A visit awaits you here and of course a fine wine tasting, accompanied by a delicious lunch.
Afterwards you will ride through vineyards and hilly terrain to your first accommodation. This private farm on a hill directly overlooks the Tagus River and is home to some splendid Lusitano horses.
In case there are less than 4 participants, we will go on a longer ride without wine tasting, but with a picnic on the way.
Riding approx. 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Quinta Boa Vista
Day 3 (Tuesday): Quinta Boa Vista to Azinhaga
After a tasty breakfast, start riding along the Tagus River with fantastic views. The ride takes you through cork oaks, past olive trees, partly on the Portuguese Way of St. James. A fine lunch awaits you directly by the Tagus River. In the summer months, the Tagus invites you to take a refreshing dip! Afterwards, you ride through flat terrain of the Tagus Valley, with the possibility of brisk gallops, until you reach Azinhaga. Dinner and overnight in Azinhaga in a traditional guest house with swimming pool.
Riding approx. 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Guesthouse in Azinhaga
Day 4 (Wednesday): Azinhaga to Golegã
Today you will ride from Azinhaga to the renowned Veiga stud farm. We ride along the pastures where mares and foals graze, enjoying the view of the time-honored mansions. The ride continues through the Boquilobo UNESCO Natural Park to the horse capital Golegã! Total riding time about 3.5 hours. On the way, a delicious lunch awaits you in the Lusitano restaurant with a view of the main square of the horse village. In the afternoon you have time to discover the horse capital Golegã or let yourself be pampered with a massage (not included, registration required). Dinner and overnight in Golegã.
Riding approx. 3.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Golegã
Day 5 (Thursday): Golegã to Quinta
After breakfast, get back in the saddle and ride through the beautiful alleys that lead us towards the Tagus River. We stop for lunch in a typical restaurant in a small village. The horses can relax outside. After the break, we continue our trail through the sweeping landscape of the beautiful Ribatejo region with cork oaks and large pastures of bull farmer. Dinner in a restaurant in Santarém.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Quinta or in a guest house (5 minutes from the Quinta, depending on the number of participants and availability)
Day 6 (Friday): Atlantic Beach Ride
We transfer you by car (about 50 minutes) to the lagoon of Obidos. Today's ride will follow the lagoon path to the opening to the Atlantic. Magnificent views of the idyllic natural area await you. The opening of the lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean with its extensive sandy beach invites you to brisk gallops, partly through the shallow lagoon water. Afterwards, the sight of the roaring Atlantic awaits. You will stop at a restaurant and, while the horses rest, you can make yourself comfortable on the wonderful terrace and enjoy the view over the lagoon. On the transfer back to the Quinta, there is the possibility to make a small stop in the medieval village of Obidos. The village offers a romantic atmosphere with its small streets.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Quinta or in a guest house (5 minutes from the Quinta, depending on the number of participants and availability)
Day 7 (Saturday): Departure
After breakfast, enjoy a little final ride before you have to say goodbye to the horses. You will be transferred back to Lisbon Airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Non Riders
Non riders are welcome to join this trip. Please contact us for more information about non-riding activities.