Portuguese Traditions & Culture with Golegã Fair

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 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.

Lunch is a picnic near the foals’ pasture, with traditional delicacies prepared on site. In the afternoon, cross through the village of Azumbuja and its nearby fields.

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

Today you ride towards the Tejo river, before stopping for a lunch with fresh river fish at a local restaurant. 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 before visiting a unique island inhabited by horses. After your visit 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 and overnight at the lovely Quinta do Anjo.

Open fields greet you during your ride today as you pass through Quintas, stopping for a picnic lunch beside the river Alviela. After lunch at the river Alviela, ride to Casa Azinhaga, home of one of the most important writers, Jose Saramago, for dinner and overnight.

Today you visit a traditional saddle maker at Pombalinho, with lunch at a local restaurant. Continue on to Manuel Veiga’s stud farm, Quinta da Broa, which was founded 180 years ago by the “prince of Portuguese farmers,” Rafael Jose da Cunha, the great grandfather of Manuel Veiga. Veiga has revolutionized the breeding of Lusitanos in Portugal. During your visit you will tour the family museum before returning to Casa da Azinhaga for dinner and overnight.

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. Return to Casa da Azinhaga for dinner and overnight.

Today is free to be spent in Golega (meals not included), with a transfer back to Lisbon at 9pm.