ALENTEJO ESTATE RIDE - PORTUGAL

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This ride is set in Portugal's largest breeding area for fighting bulls and this central region is the greenest in the country. You will stay overnight in beautifully renovated private estates that used to be the homes of nobles decorated with antiques. There is a delighful personal atmosphere. There are no fences or roads on the ride to the Maranhão Lagoon. You cross several Roman bridges to reach Alter do Chão and visit one of the two National Stud Farms. This is certainly a highlight for all lovers of Portuguese horses, but the view from the farm at 1,200 ft over the surrounding countryside is no less impressive. Hundreds of mares and their colts graze on huge meadows. The ride ends at Lake Maranhão, at the private hunting reserve Calatrava.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights Ride only price 2008: £1,209 2009: £1,239 Departure dates 2008: 16 & 23 Mar, 27 Apr, 4 & 11 May 2009: 15 & 22 Mar, 26 Apr, 3 May Approximate riding time per day 4 to 6 hours Riding ability required Must be able to walk, trot and canter Group size 2 - 10 Meeting point (getting there) Lisbon Airport Transfer Included from meeting point. Set transfer time on Day 1 is 17:30 (arrival up to 17:00) and flights must be booked to depart no earlier than 12:00 on Day 8. Flight guide London - Lisbon return from £95, see below for detailed flight info Single supplement 2008 & 2009: £250, waived if we can find a sharer

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ALENTEJO ESTATE RIDE

Day 1
Arrival in Lisbon and transfer at 5:30 PM to Benavila (±93 miles). Dinner and overnight in a Farm house, Monte dos Cavaleiros. A large number of manors with original furniture were renovated to promote tourism. Visitors are pleasantly surprised about the personal atmosphere and warmth of these private homes.

Day 2
You ride over hilly meadows by the Maranhão Dam. This is a large-scale land-holding and the fences between meadows are miles apart. The landowners prevented road construction on their properties and you will seldom run into roads in this part of Alentejo. Most of the stone bridges over the numerous rivers date back to the Romans. The day ends in another manor, the Monte do Padrão. Enjoy an evening in the beautiful garden by the pool.

Day 3
Departure from Monte do Padrão to the town of Altér do Chão and its Horse Breeding Farm, with a ride through meadows where they raise wild bulls. Picnic and more riding, night over at Varandas de Altér.

Day 4
Visit to Altér do Chão’ Horse Breeding Farm, one of the two national stud farms. The horses bred here are so famous that they're traded under the name Altér. The town rises 1,200 ft over sea-level and you can enjoy a panoramic view over the landscape. After lunch at the Hotel, we visit the stud farm. This is a highlight and not only for horse-lovers. In this idyllic location, hundreds of mares and their colts graze on huge meadows. We then transfer to the town of Altér, for a stroll before dinner. At night, we stay at Varandas de Altér, a modern Hotel right by the Breeding Farm.

Day 5
Through large meadows, past fields, and with only one remote farmhouse that reminds us of the presence of people, you ride to Ribeira da Seda. The original, regional Portuguese cuisine offers you a varied and delicious menu. Overnight in the manor of Monte do Padrao as on the second night.

Day 6
You ride back across large meadows. The plains of the Upper Alentejo abound in water and favor extensive fruit-growing. A blue lake in these lush surroundings invites for a swim. Dinner and overnight at Monte dos Cavaleiros, as in 1st day.

Day 7
This last day you will ride inside the farm Monte dos Cavaleiros that is 3000 ha large with cork trees and is inhabited by dears and boars. You will have the opportunity of watching these animals free in its natural environment. Overnight as night before.

Day 8
Transfer to Lisbon after breakfast and departure. Flights must depart after 12:00.

Please note that all itineraries are for guidance only and may be altered due to weather or other local conditions.

The weight limit for this ride is 13 st/185 lb/84 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
The trip price includes all meals, wine with lunch, accommodations, horses, tack, guide, transfers to and from Lisbon at set times, luggage transfer by back up vehicle and all transportation during the ride.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to Portugal, telephone calls, drinks with dinner, bar drinks and items of a personal nature.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.

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