Course itinerary
Spend 7 nights / 8 days in a tranquil rural centre just 15 minutes drive from the bustling harbour town of Lagos in the Algarve. Suitable for all levels, you will be free to enjoy the wide range of hacks, treks and challenging trail rides based horse riding in this spectacular area of Portugal.
This unique horse riding holiday is a great chance to experience the fun and exhilaration of combining carriage driving within the stunning Costa Vincentina National Park. If carriage driving is not for you don’t worry, the local area and dramatic coastline of deserted Algarve beaches provide the perfect backdrop for a wonderful week of riding.
You’ll stay in a charming stone barn farmhouse set in 50 acres of grounds. The stables, which house 12 locally bred horses, are set just 2 minutes walk from the accommodation giving you the opportunity to get as involved with the care of the horses as you wish during your horse riding holiday.
Your host, riding and carriage driving tutor David and his wife and Chef Frances will be on hand throughout your stay to cook delicious meals and to ensure you have a wonderfully sociable, fun and enjoyable horse riding holiday with a difference.
Suitability
- Horse riding holidays are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced riders
- There is no minimum age and families with children and babies are welcome as small children can also ride in the carriage (children under 5 recieve a discount, email us for more details)
- Note: all under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult
- Your hosts are British so all horse riding classes are taught in English
Travelling Solo?
- These horse riding holidays make great singles holidays and singles are welcome to join an existing group
- Solo travellers can either share a bunk room with up to 3 other participants of the same sex for no extra charge or can pre-book a private single room for a small supplement
- To book a private single or shared room, email or contact us via live chat (click on the ‘start chat’ link at the bottom of this page) or call us to check availability
Horse riding Holiday Start Days
- Holidays run year round taking advantage of the great weather and arrivals are accepted on any day of the year
- Horse riding holidays are for 7 nights/8 days
- If you wish to stay for extra nights please email to check availability for your preferred duration and we will do our best to accommodate you
- If dates appear ‘on request’ please email us and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival as quickly as possible
Horse riding Holiday Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows:
Day 1- Arrival and welcome dinner
- Check into your room any time after 3pm and enjoy a welcome drink before taking your time to explore the stables and your local surroundings
- In the evening, join your hosts David and Frances for a 3 course welcome dinner of local Portuguese dishes accompanied by local wines
Day 2 - Meet the horses, riding lesson or riding
- On your first morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the terrace with views over the Atlantic before being introduced to the horses
- Beginners will start the day with a lesson and more experienced riders can ride out with a guide
- Lunch will be taken at the stables today as you’ll be eased into the riding gently with just a morning in the saddle today
- The afternoon is free to visit one of the local beaches, a nearby village or the secret swimming lake
- The evening is free for you to take a taxi to Lagos for dinner or if you prefer, your hosts will cook a delicious 3 course dinner at the house which can be reserved at an extra charge of 20 Euros per night
Days 3-4 - Horse riding and/or carriage driving
Note: The holidays include the opportunity to not only horse ride but to also try carriage driving. If you prefer to just horse ride that is absolutely fine, the holidays are flexible and you can do as much driving or riding as you wish.
- Each day, enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the terrace before saddling up for your day of horse riding or carriage driving
- Ride out or carriage drive with your experienced guide either enjoying the countryside, local villages or ride on the beaches of the National Park taking in the stunning views from horseback
- The exact length of your day and the terrain covered will depend on your stamina and experience
- Lunches are al fresco picnics taken with you at the start of the day
- At the end of each day, return to the house, feed, groom and settle your horse back into the stables for the night
- The evenings are free for you to head into the local villages or take a taxi to Lagos for dinner or if you prefer, your hosts will cook a delicious 3 course dinner at the house for an extra charge of 20 Euros per night
Day 5 – Rest day
- After breakfast, take the rest of the day to relax and head to one of the local beaches or explore a market town or the harbour town of Lagos
- Again, the evening is free or you may wish to have dinner at the house for an extra charge of 20 Euros
Day 6 – Beach or lake ride or carriage drive with picnic
- After breakfast today you’ll ride or carriage drive to the beach or lake to explore and perhaps take a swim
- Enjoy a group picnic lunch at the lake or beach and a well-earned rest
- After your day’s riding or driving, the evening is free or you may wish to have dinner at the house for an extra charge of 20 Euros
Day 7 – Riding and BBQ
- As your last full day, after breakfast you’ll ride out for the day to the village of San Joao for a cool glass of local wine followed by a farewell BBQ taken in the woodlands of the Mata National Park
- After your day out and BBQ, return home to settle in your horse for the last time and enjoy an evening at your leisure
Day 8 – Departure day
- After a leisurely breakfast guests are asked to check-out of their rooms by 12 noon ready for departure taking home with them horse riding and perhaps a new found passion for carriage driving!
- If you have a late flight, you can choose to take one last ride out today if you prefer
About The Equestrian Centre And Your Tutor
- Your host and riding teacher David established the riding centre several years ago
- David hails from the UK but several years ago decided to sail around the world with his family but when they reached Portugal, they decided to stay on
- David and his wife Frances are former Chefs and have run restaurants in the past both in the UK and Portugal so meal times are a treat as you’ll be sampling their wonderful local food
- David is passionate about horse riding and in particular carriage riding and in the past has raced carriages
- David has also been master of the hunt (drag hunting only) and loves the exhilaration of riding although nowadays is happy to ride at a more relaxed pace
- The stables stand in 50 acres of pasture and forest on the edge of the Cabo Vincentina National Park surrounded by cork and pine forests
- There is a large circular training area and there is also a private cross country trail which is continually evolving with new obstacles and jumps for those who feel confident
- The main barn has been comfortably restored with a large log fire for the cooler evenings, TV, internet, self-service bar and a lovely social area for group meals
- Due to the stunning countryside and coastal trails, trekking is a big focus here and you can ride to your heart’s content
- David is assisted by other guides to ensure groups of mixed abilities can ride out at their own pace
About The Horses
- The centre has 12 horses and ponies varying in age from 2 to 20 years
- The horses are mainly locally bred Lucitano cross
- The horses are well trained, schooled and suitable for all levels of riders from beginners to advanced
- The horses range in height from the smallest miniature pony to horses up to 16hh
What Will I Learn?
- If you have arrived as a beginner the aim is that you will leave with a sincere love and understanding of horses
- As a beginner or novice you will begin to develop your skills by starting with saddling up and getting on, steering, stopping and getting off again
- You will continue by learning about balance and developing control over the horse working mainly on your balance to help to create a harmony between yourself and the horse
- The teaching methods are gentle and sympathetic and will point you to an understanding of natural horsemanship
- Experienced riders will of course have the freedom of the endless traffic free trails and will learn to appreciate the intelligence and stamina of the locally bred Lucitano cross horses
- If you prefer to concentrate on carriage driving, the aim is to introduce you to a new sport which you will continue to enjoy for years to come or to help develop your existing carriage driving skills to take you to the next level
Your Accommodation
- Your accommodation is set in the very tranquil rural location of Corte Pero Jacques just 15 minutes drive from the busy harbour town of Lagos
- You’ll stay in a converted ancient stone barn set in 50 acres of pasture and forest ensuring complete peace and quiet during your stay
- There are a total of 4 rooms for guests use
- 3 rooms have a single and double bed with private en-suite bathroom
- 1 room is a bunk room with 4 bunk beds ideal for solo travellers sharing a room or for groups of friends, the shower room is located just across the yard
- If you are travelling solo, stay in a twin/double room for sole occupancy for a small supplement or if you prefer not to pay a supplement, you can share the bunk room with other solo travellers of the same sex (subject to availability)
- Rooms are simply decorated in a rustic style
- Rooms will be cleaned and towels replaced on request whilst you are there
- The house also has a large communal area perfect for socialising after a day’s riding or carriage driving
- The kitchen boasts a traditional wood fired oven, great for bread making and for producing delicious meals
- The stables are 2 minutes walk from the stone barn and house 12 horses so you can get as involved in the day to day care of the horses as you wish
- Accommodation is included for 7 nights / 8 days
- Check in anytime after 3pm on day 1 and check out by 12 noon on day 8
Meals
- All breakfasts are included and are usually taken on the terrace with views of the Atlantic
- A light lunch (usually a picnic taken al fresco) on days 2,3 and 4
- On day 7, enjoy a BBQ lunch taken in the woodlands
- A 3 course welcome dinner with wine at the farmhouse on your arrival day
- All other evening meals are not included in the price but you can choose to take these in the local villages or in Lagos if you prefer, or you can request a 3 course meal at the house for an extra 20 Euros per night
- If you have dietary requests these must be communicated to us at the time of booking
Free Time In Portugal
- This horse riding and carriage driving holiday is packed with riding so you will discover the local area and beaches on horseback but in your free time you may want to explore the local surroundings a little more
- Lagos is a lively harbour village and is just 15 minutes taxi ride away
- Taxis will pick you up from the farm entrance which is about a 1km walk away from the farmhouse down the dirt-track
- Your hosts tend to travel into Lagos most days however and will offer you a lift if it fits with your schedule
- You’ll stay in a rural location surrounded by local villages or you may wish to head to one of the fabulous nearby beaches
- Your hosts will be on hand to give you insider advice on the best places to go as well as to show you the secret swimming lake and more
Go learn to horse ride or try the fabulous sport of carriage driving in this idyllic Portuguese National Park. Enjoy the hospitality of the Portuguese people, exploring the stunning landscapes and coastal trails for a horseriding holiday with a difference.