Portuguese Traditions & Culture

Arrival at Lisbon airport and at 6pm transfer north to the stud farm where the horses are based to enjoy a homemade welcome dinner and get a brief overview of the week ahead. Drive a short distance to your first guest house, Casa do Alfaro, to overnight.

After breakfast at Casa do Alfaro transfer back to the stud farm and start the day with a tour of the farm and an explanation of the breeding program. Then off on your first ride aboard your fine Lusitano. You will ride through the surrounding forests and vineyards to arrive at an open field for a countryside meal, prepared by a local cook on the grill, at a table set for you under the shade of a big cork tree. In the afternoon, cross the village of Azambuja and on back to the farm. You will be riding along the historic path traveled by Christopher Columbus when he went to meet King John II. The king had taken refuge in the Vale do Pariso to escape the scourge of the plague and here he received Columbus who had come to propose the journey to India which eventually led to the European discovery of the Americas.

Upon arrival at the farm, transfer back to Casa do Alfaro for dinner and overnight.

Today you ride towards the Tejo river, arriving in the fishing community of Valada. Here you have a traditional lunch with fresh river fish. After lunch you will continue riding toward Porto de Muge, where you will have dinner and overnight at Quinta das Palmeiras.

Cross the Tagus River by boat, with lunch served on board and take a look at the unique island inhabited by horses and the island filled with many birds of many different species and kinds, before visiting the historic fisherman’s villages and become acquainted with their culture. Continue riding to Santarem, the gothic capital of Portugal. The town was conquered from the Moors by D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, on March 15, 1147. This conquest was crucial from a military point of view, as it allowed later the winning of Lisbon and the establishment of the kingdom of Portugal.
Dinner at the “Quinzena” restaurant and overnight at the lovely Casa da Alcacova. This is a beautiful historic manor house that affords a panoramic view of the Tagus River valley and Santarem.

Open fields greet you during your ride today as you pass through Quintas, stopping for a picnic lunch beside the river Alviela. Continue riding to Quinta da Broa, the stud farm of Manual Veiga and one of the pillars of Lusitano breeding. Enjoy dinner and overnight here.

Today you visit a traditional saddle maker at Pombalinho, with lunch at a local restaurant. You spend the night again at Quinta da Broa.

Ride toward Golega, through the nature reserve of Paul do Boquilobo. After reaching the town, known as the “capital of the horse,” you will dine at the restaurant Lusitanus, with views over the main arena for the yearly horse festival. Take the afternoon off from riding to sightsee in the town. Your dinner and overnight are at the luxurious 4 star Hotel Lusitano.

After a final breakfast, bid Portugal’s Ribatejo farewell as you transfer back to Lisbon airport.