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3 Day Private Horses and Nature Holiday in Serra da Estrela, Portugal
Quinta Madre de Água, Vinhó, 6290-651 Gouveia, Portugal
Private Horseback Riding Holiday in Portugal
This listing has one of the 10 most popular offers available in in Portugal
Enjoy two nights' accommodation with a horseback ride in the middle of nature with the Serra da Estrela landscape as a background.
Key information
- Horse breed: Lusitano
Meet the instructors
Nuno
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Highlights
- Horse-ride in nature
- Farmhouse setting with 14 hectares of vineyards
- 2 nights accommodation at a four-star hotel with beatiful Lusitano horses
- Breakfast included
- Tastings of Madre de Água wines and Serra da Estrela cheeses available
- Optional guided tours available
Skill level
- Advanced
Styles
2 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Portuguese, Spanish
Group size: Maximum of 5 participants
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
16:00
Check-out Time:
12:00
Facilities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Air-conditioned public areas
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Dining area
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Restaurant
- Special menu request
- Terrace
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Laundry
- Meeting room
- Parking lot
- Pet care / grooming
- Wireless internet
Madre de Água Farm is a project that began in 2007 when its owners decided to return to their origins and develop a sustainable concept that prioritizes respect for man, his arts, and his traditions - while preserving nature.
The project is built on three farms in the Gouveia region, Serra da Estrela, covering around 40 hectares, and includes a four-star rural charming hotel with a restaurant, conference room, eight rooms with double or single beds, two suites, as well as two one- and two-bedroom apartments in a farmhouse setting.
Quinta Madre de Água delicious virgin olive oil is produced from their olive trees. This day, they also have a herd of 20 Bordeaux sheep, an indigenous breed.
They also have 14 hectares of vineyards that in recent years have been awarded as the best vineyards in the Dão, planted at an altitude of 600m and with a microclimate that influences the excellence in the quality of their nectars.
Quinta Madre de Água also has a stud farm, committed to the Lusitano breed and dedicated to teaching and the art of dressage, under the responsibility of their Grand Prix rider, Nuno Carvalho.
Rooms
The double / twin rooms at the Madre de Água present a design and contemporary decor, with warm and welcoming tones, and with a balcony or terrace that will allow you to enjoy the surrounding and life at the farms in perfect harmony with the rural environment in which the hotel is located.
Program
Enjoy the natural beauty of the Serra da Estrela through a horse ride on Quinta Madre de Água!
The Madre de Água’s Stud Farm – Serra da Estrela was founded in 2012, a product of the love that owners Luís Gonçalves and Lurdes Perfeito have for animals. It all began a few years ago with the acquisition of three purebred Lusitano mares to be used as the farm's saddle horses.
However, the interest for the Lusitano breed increased so the owners enthusiastically decided to take this matter seriously and invest in the construction of a stud farm in order to breed and also enter competitions.
Then, they got two stallions from a recognized Portuguese stud farm, Ortigão Costa. They also hired a professional equestrian rider, Nuno Carvalho, and began preparing the horses for dressage. At the same time, a spacious covered arena was built to train the horses.
Lusitano horse
The purebred Lusitano has Portuguese origin and is the oldest saddle horse in the world. It features a natural aptitude for the high airs exercise since it puts its hindlimbs under the mass with great ease.
Thus, the Lusitano is not only displayed in bullfighting and classical riding, but also in federal equestrian disciplines such as dressage, obstacles, carriage driving, and work riding.
Instructors
Nuno Carvalho
Nuno Carvalho was born in 1994 in Viseu. He attended the Professional School Vagos – Equine Management Technician, and he has also done various curricular internships. He is currently working at Madre de Água’s Atud Farm – Serra da Estrela and training the Lusitanian horses for dressage tests. With or without experience, go and visit Nuno at Quinta Madre de Água!
Location
More than a snow destination, Serra da Estrela is the highest region in mainland Portugal.
Places to visit:
- Gouveia
- Torre - Lagoa Comprida - Sabugueiro
- Seia
- Manteigas
- Belmonte
- Museums in Gouveia: Abel Manta, miniature car, and Jewish experience
- Museums in Seia: Natural electricity, toy, bread, and CISE
Food
- Pork ham, turkey ham, ham
- Flemish cheese, Serra da Estrela cheese, fresh cheese
- Salted and unsalted butter
- White bread and seed bread
- Croissant, mini cream, and homemade cake
- Seasonal fruit
- Scrambled eggs
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
On the first day, customers can book dinner / lunch, tastings of Madre de Água wines and Serra da Estrela cheeses, as well as guided tours directly with Quinta Madre de Água.
What's included
- Horseback riding
- 2 nights accommodation
- Breakfast
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Lunch and dinner
- Tasting Madre de Água Wina and Serra da Estrela cheese
- Guided tour
How to get there
Recommended Airports
OPO
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
121 km
Transfer not provided
LIS
Lisbon Portela Airport
231 km
Transfer not provided
Driving directions from Lisboa
From Lisboa, take the A1 until Coimbra, then the IP3 until Serra da Estrela / Nelas exit and continue heading to Nelas. Once there, continue towards Seia and then Gouveia. Arriving in Gouveia, continue until you see the speed lights turn right towards Vinhó. Follow signs for the hotel.
Driving directions from Porto
From Porto, take the A25 until Mangualde, then the N232 until Gouveia. Once in Gouveia, continue until you see the speed lights turn right towards Vinhó. Follow signs for the hotel.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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