DOLPHIN COAST TRAIL - PORTUGAL

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The Costa Azul, also know as the Blue Coast, encompasses the southern stretch of Portugal's west coast. It is as long and beautiful as the Algarve (Portugal's south coast), but while the Algarve is overcrowded with tourists, one finds deserted beaches and pristine countryside all along the west coast, even during the summer months. The area around the mouth of the river Rio Sado is a sanctuary of 57,500 acres. Dolphins play in the mouth of the river. From here on south you'll find 36 miles of deserted beaches only interrupted by lagoons and little fishing villages. Discover this jewel on the back of a first class Lusitano. Ride from the lush and green coastal mountains of Grandola, overgrown with pine and cork-oak forests, to the inviting beaches of turquoise waters. Your accommodation for three nights will be in an historic Puosada, then enjoy 2 nights in the heart of the country and a further 2 nights near the coastline by the Lagoon of Santo Andre.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights Ride only price 2008: £1,065, high season £1,119 2009: £1,095, high season £1,149 Departure dates 2008: 31 Aug *, 5 & 19 Oct, 16 Nov 2009: 1 Mar, 12 Apr *, 14 Jun, 5 Jul*, 30 Aug*, 11 & 25 Oct, 15 Nov * = high season Approximate riding time per day 4-6 hours Riding ability required Must be able to walk, trot and canter Group size 4 - 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 - £150 all dates 2009: £160 all dates

SAMPLE ITINERARY - DOLPHIN COAST TRAIL

Day 1
Sunday Arrival at Lisbon and transfer at 5:30 PM to Monte das Faias. This hotel is the result of the rebuilding of a dwelling seigniorial of the 18th century in the centre of town with a very accessible environment and very charming personnel it is one of the most recent units of the area. Here you find an elegant atmosphere where you can relax in the comfortable rooms before the first day on horse back. After dinner you will have your first night of rest in Portugal.

Day 2
Monday We ride through hilly landscapes to our first destination in Santiago do Cacém. After the first few canters, you will notice the Lusitanos' wonderful character and how sure footed they are. A tasty picnic is to follow, as our driver usually has something grilled and fresh salads. In the afternoon, rested after the midday pause, we ride through the forests of pines and cork oaks. We reach Pousada da Quinta DA Ortiga with its personal charm and a swimming pool in which you can take your first swim. Pousadas are lodgings that are located in historical buildings. Spoil yourselves with delicacies during the evening and sleep in very comfortable rooms.

Day 3
Tuesday There is a large breakfast to start the day. Today we cross forests of eucalyptus, and hear the cracking under the shoes of your mounts. Near Morgavel's Water Reservoir we stop for a picnic and a relaxing Siesta. Afterwards we have the opportunity for some fast canters on the sandy tracks that cross the Portuguese country. Evening like the day before.

Day 4
Wednesday After a plentiful breakfast we start a long ride towards St.Andre. Primarily sandy trails lead us through fields and forests, allowing several fast canters. Your sure-footed horse takes you through the woods of the cork oak forests. In the afternoon, the horses get a rest and we have the opportunity to visit wild dolphins in their natural habitat, in the Sado River near the town of Setubal. We will have a small half an hour transfer to Setubal and after the visit you will return to Hotel Al Tarik, at the edge of the Lagoon of Stº André. Tonight we stay overnight at the Hotel Moinho Velho and will dine a seafood speciality.

Day 5
Thursday The course of the morning excursion continues in direction of the beach. We will have long gallops along the beach. Ride through the forests of pines and by the hills of the Atlantic coast, close to the Lagoon of St Andre, on the coast of Alentejo. This place gives one an extraordinary feeling of freedom and rest; quiet water, the flight of the birds above your heads and the green of the pines make it a very special. In the afternoon we arrive at the stables of the St. Andre Riding Centre. Accommodation as the night before and tonight we have dinner at the Tower of Santiago do Cacém, a superb Restaurant with a breathtaking view over the coastline.

Day 6
Friday Today we ride from St.Andre towards Grândola. Many opportunities for faster riding arise today. Our Lusitanos will carry us safely through forests of pines. Red earth paths alternate with those of sand, you meet herds of cows or sheep. On our return and after having watered our horses, we appreciate a good refreshing shower before the dinner in Monte das Faias.

Day 7
Saturday Today the group rides by the Sierra of Grândola through an undulating landscape and picturesque villages, where the noise of your horse's shoes attract the curious inhabitants of the village out of their houses. As usual, we make a pause for the last picnic of the trail. The horses and the riders take a nap after lunch and then we proceed to forests of cork oaks. Dinner and overnight as on the previous night.

Day 8
Sunday Transfer back to Lisbon after breakfast. Departure flights must be booked no earlier than 12:00.

NOTES - DOLPHIN COAST TRAIL

Children under 12 sharing their parents rooms are eligible for a 20% discount.

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
All accommodation, meals, wine with lunch, horse riding, English speaking guide and luggage transfers and transfer to and from Lisbon airport at set times.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to Portugal, drinks with dinner and bar drinks, 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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