holidays | B&B | selfcater | beach & river | camping | luxury | low cost | horse riding | organic farms | off-grid | vegetarian
longterm | retreats | volunteer | internet | algarve | airports | cities | info. | books | property | ecoliving | pledge | contact us

Send to a friend!

Gois Valley Riding

Selfcatering, Equestrian Holiday Guesthouse
Varzea Pequena (Gois). Sleeps: 3

Gois Valley Riding - Click on photo for more photographs from Gois Valley Riding.

The Gois Valley Riding Quinta (farm) is situated in the green heart of Central Portugal, well away from the tourist trails. Even in the peak season you can ride all day and hardly see another person.

In springtime the air is sweet with orange blossom, heathers, and hundreds of different wild flowers. From our veranda you can see the river, and in summer it's a wonderful way to cool off after riding. Autumn is lovely, with cooler days, and the smell of ripe grapes ready to be picked for next years wine.

The diverse landscape ranges from eucalyptus forests on the lower slopes, with tracks climbing up to heather-clad hilltops where you have breathtaking views.

We offer holidays for people who do not want a strict itinery, holidays are for relaxing, not being told what time you must be up for breakfast! The accomodation is a restored stone cottage "Casita do Linteiro" with a bathroom and kitchen/living area, and a double mezanine bedroom. We also offer a bedroom with private patio within our farmhouse.

We are lucky enough to live in an area with lots of different riding options...from quiet one hour hacks, to picnic day rides, galloping along wide mountain ridges. We can talk with you and work out the type of riding you want to do, related to your experience. A normal guide would be, two full day picnic rides, and three 2 - 3 hour rides, returning home for lunch on the veranda, and having the afternoon free for swimming in the river, relaxing, or if you have a hire car, for more sightseeing. We also have a 15m x 30m arena which you are welcome to use in the evenings.

We have seven horses at our Quinta, the Governer, (Guv) is an Irish thoroughbred. He is a very calm horse & can carry up to 86 kilos (13.5 stone). Haraquiri (Harrie) is a 17hh Lusitano X English thoroughbred. He can carry up to 90 kilos (14 stone). He is a very well schooled horse, light & responsive, a pleasure to ride! The other four can carry up to 76 kilos (12 stone). Smartie is a forward-going Arab, Roxy is a mischievous Welsh cob, and Comet and Apollo are 7 year old Lusitano brothers. Comet is a laid-back easy ride & he is our smallest horse at 14hh & is suitable for children or nervous adults. Apollo is for the more experienced rider & has been trained in basic dressage.

The horses have a day off in the middle of the week. You can either relax & soak up the sun, or, if you have a hire car, there is plenty to do in the surrounding areas. You can visit the beautiful historic city of Coimbra or the wonderfully preserved Roman ruins at Conimbriga. A little further to the east (about one and a half hours) there are the Serra de Estrela mountains which are the highest in Portugal. To the west, about the same distance, is the rugged Atlantic coast with sweeping surf beaches and small fishing villages. Staying more locally you can explore small mountain roads leading to stone villages perched on hilltops or nestled in steep valleys, some of which have hardly changed in centuries. If you choose not to hire a car, Steve can drop you at a nearby station where the mountain train meanders its way to Coimbra

Apart from the picnic rides & the most fantastic barbecued chicken lunch at Arganil market, lunch is served at our house al fresco. Evening meals are mainly typical local dishes and barbecues all home cooked by Steve who loves to cook . He also has a good repertoire of vegetarian dishes & if you, or a child just like plain food, that's ok as well. Local wines and beer or soft drinks are served with meals.

Non riders are very welcome and, if holidaying with riders, can accompany Steve by car to the picnic locations. A party of non-riders may book accommodation only in Casa do Linteiro.

Meals (If Available):

Breakfast 5 euros / lunch 10 euros / dinner 15 euros

Extras (if any):

1 hour: 15 euros
1 day (includes picnic lunch): 60 euros

Extras:
Airport return trip. (for one or two people) £100 - (3rd and 4th person pays an extra £20 each ) children of 12 or under go free. Alternatively, you can catch a bus or train from Lisbon or Porto to Coimbra, and Steve will collect you from there free of charge. (Make sure you have a morning flight to give you plenty of time)
Please arrange your own holiday/travel insurance.
It is advisable to bring your own riding hat and boots and also shoes suitable for swimming in the river (if necessary)

Number of bedrooms: 1

Prices in UK pounds sterling:
Riding Holidays
Full board: 590
Non rider full board: 410
Half board (breakfast & lunch included, evening meal optional @ 12 incl. wine/beer): 530
Half board (as above) non rider: 350 GBP
Children under 14 half price.
Weekend or shorter holidays will be charged pro rata
20% discount on holidays booked for the winter months (1st November - 1st March)
Holidays normally run from Saturday to Saturday, however, we can be flexible outside of peak season.
Self-catering accommodation (non-riding holidays) in Casita do Linteiro for 2 people:
55 euros per night minimum 3 nights
350 euros per week
3rd person 10 euros per night
Children under 12 free A deposit of 50% is payable with your booking. Please e mail or phone first to check for availability. Cheques are payable in UK pounds to Steve and Sandra Cross. All UK cheques acceptable, or you can pay directly into our account, details of which will be given upon application. The balance is payable 28 days prior to the start of your holiday.

Availability & Booking:

Contact the owner of Gois Valley Riding direct.

Can we help?
Pure Portugal can help with many aspects of your trip to Central Portugal. We can connect you to people who will pick you up from the airport, give tours of the area & informal taxi service, translators & other english speaking professionals.
Contact us to find out if we can help.
Our Pure Portugal Information website is also packed with useful information.

Learn Portuguese on your iPod. Need Travel Insurance?

Portuguese Phrase Books - Maps of Portugal - Portuguese Guide Books

Pure Portugal advertises on behalf of hosts / owners, who supply their details, and are responsible for accuracy and booking arrangements.
Pure Portugal Ltd is a workers co-operative company, registered in England no: 5123198
Registered Office: 93 North Street, Burwell, Cambridge, CB5 0BB, United Kingdom.