Monte Aguentinho Do Campo
It is the intention of Aguentinho Do Campo that when you choose to stay at their delightful rural farm at any time of year you will experience a true taste of Portugese countryside life, with local traditions, the best of the Alentejo' region's gastronomy and of course top class equestrian facilities where you can experience riding or driving stunning Lusitano stallions in a setting of forest and hillside pastures, with fragrances, colours and sounds that you will remember long after your visit. Your instructor is the multi talented Nuno Baptista, rider on the Portugese national dressage team, handball champion and competitive carriage driver. Nuno is also a member of the National Portugese Lusitano display team as featured at Olympia's 2011 Christmas Show. This excellent equestrian venue offers a high standard of accommodation, swimming pool, plus carriage driving, dressage and hacking programmes and has an indoor arena and large outdoor arena.
Your accommodation
Monte Aguentinho Do Campo is situated high on a hill in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Surrounded by their own farmland estates and spectacular views, the facility has been designed to offer guests great riding and carriage driving whilst retaining many Portugese traditional features. The house offers 8 rooms, all individually decorated and named after the the stud's Lusitano brood mares. There is a comfortable lounge for guests and communal seating areas as well as an in house dining room where you will be served traditional, home cooked cuisine. The property features a stunning infinity pool and in 2012 there will also be a jacuzzi and spa area plus a poolside snack bar. Whilst being recently designed and modernised for guests, the house retains traditional feature and much regional character.
Once you have settled in Nuno will show you around the farm and its facilities. He will discuss with you the itinerary you have chosen whether it is dressage instruction, hacking, carriage driving or a combination programme.The surrounding area is a delight to walk, ride or drive through, with olive groves, greenery and pasture lands.
Equestrian facilities
Riders and drivers will enjoy the instruction of Nuno Baptista, not only a top dressage rider with the Portugese national team but also a prolific carriage driver and member of the Lusitano display team, with his stallion Satellite, that demonstate traditional classical riding around the world. The equestrian centre has been designed by Nuno to enable him offer top class instruction on his selection of Lusitano stallions. Facilities include a 40 x 20m, light indoor arena with mirrors and an airy seating gallery, a large 70 x 30m outdoor arena and numerous trails around the estate for experienced riders and where carriage driving pupils can practice their newly acquired skills. Clents may choose from a variety of programmes whether they prefer to ride out, drive a carriage, have dressage lessons or combine all three!
Monte Aguentinho Do Campo is also a breeding centre for pure blood Lusitanos so you will have the opportunity to see the mares who live in a herd on the estate and the youngstock, who have their own free range pastures. There are horses suited to all levels from beginners to advanced riders and all lessons are one to one so you are guaranteed a highly personalised programme. You will get to ride a selection of horses during your stay. Please note that due to the size of Lusitano horses there is a weight limit of 90kg for riders.
Additional leisure activities
If you are not riding and driving or wish to use your time off away from the gorgeous pool try some of the following that are on offer: long walks around the estate, seee the herds of home bred Alentejo cattle and black pigs, archery, cycling or perhaps visit some of the local places of interest. These include the Chapel of Nossa Senhora of the Castle ( XV Century) and the ruins of the Islamic Castle, Aljustrel's Museum, Chapel of Stª Magarida or some of the region's many fine churches. Or shop for souvenirs selected from Alentejo's handiworks created from clay, brass, copper, wood, cork, glazed tile, footwear, or lace.
The Programmes
Choose from a selection of tailored programmes or ask us to design one for you. As all lessons are one to one with Nuno, there is a maximum of 8 riders or drivers at any one time but non riding friends or family are also most welcome to enjoy the peace of the Portugese countryside.
Programme A
7 nights; 6 Dressage lessons; 4 hacks
Please note that hacks are for more experienced riders confident in all three paces over varied terrain.
Programme B
7 nights; 10 dressage lessons.
Programme C
7 nights, 5 Dressage lessons, 4 hacks, 3 driving sessions
A mixture to show you the versatility of the Lusitano. The ultimate ride drive combo!
Program D Beginners Ride and Drive
7 nights, 10 lunge lessons, 2 carriage driving sessions
A perfect start to equine sports for beginners and novices.
Program E
7 nights, 6 Dressage lessons.
A lighter programme for those who wish to sightsee or pursue other activities
Program F Beginners (Riding only)
7 nights, 8 lunge lessons.
Program G Driving only
7 nights, 6 Carriage Driving lessons
You will not only learn how to drive but also how to train a horse to drive by long reining.
Short breaks of four nights are also available and the venue is open throughout the year except for the Christmas holiday.
Prices are per person based on two sharing a twin or double room and holidays may be on a full board or half board basis. If on Full Board drinks with meals are included in the price. Extra beds are available in the larger rooms. Prices exclude flights, transfers and insurance. Transfers can be arranged and are payable locally (see below). High season (HS) is from 1st March to 30th September, Low season (LS) is from October to February.
Programme A
7 nights; 6 Dressage lessons; 4 hacks
LS Full Board: £865 Half Board: £755
HS Full Board: £1,021 Half Board: £885
Programme B
7 nights; 10 dressage lessons.
LS Full Board: £932 Half Board: £822
HS Full Board: £1,078 Half Board:£961
Programme C
7 nights, 5 Dressage lessons, 4 hacks, 3 driving sessions
LS Full Board: £868 Half board: £765
HS Full Board: £1, 016 Half Board: ££898
Program D Beginners Ride and Drive
7 nights, 10 lunge lessons, 2 carriage driving sessions
LS Full Board: £742 Half Board: £625
HS Full Board: £892 Half Board: £775
Program E
7 nights, 6 Dressage lessons.
LS Full Board: £735 Half Board: £625
HS Full Board £865 Half Board: £765
Program F Beginners (Riding only)
7 nights, 8 lunge lessons.
LS Full Board: £670 Half board: £565
HS Full Board: £797 Half Board: £681
Program G Driving only
7 nights, 6 Carriage Driving lessons
LS: Full Board: £575 Half board:£470
HS: Full Board: ££679 Half Board: £555
Single Supplement for 7 nights: LS £90 HS £150
Non Riders:
7 nights Full Board: £470
Hal Board: £360
Short Breaks :
4 nights, 6 equestrian activities, ride or drive
Full board: £535 Half Board: £485
4, 8 equestrian activities, ride or drive
Full Board £615 Half Board £565
Single Supplement for 4 nights: LS £55 HS £85
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Getting there
Flights: Monte Aguentinho Do Campo is approximately one hour from Faro Airport and 1.5 hours from Lisbon. Both airports are served by many low budget airlines such as Easyjet and from many regional airports. We recommend car hire if you wish to see more of the area as the venue is set in the countryside.
Transfers: We can organise airport transfers on request. Return transfers to and from the airports are:
Faro Airport return transfer: 110€ per person (if one person) 90€ each person (if more than one person)
Lisbon Airport return transfer: 130€ per person (if one person) 110€ each person (if more than one person)
Please note transfers can be arranged by us but are payable in resort.
Car hire: Europcar costs approximately 200 Euros/week.
Riding Ability
Beginners to advanced riders. There is a programme for complete beginners new to driving or riding up to riders at Grand Prix level. Horses are prepared ready for riders however guests are more than welcome to ask questions or assist.
What to bring
The Riding Company always advises taking your own hat. Appropriate footwear and riding apparel is advised. Swimming things. Towels etc are provided and changed mid week.
General information:
The official national language is Portuguese, you’ll find many people who speak English, French, and Spanish.The local currency is the euro, and banks are generally open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 3pm. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Tourists travelling with electronics should note that the electric system uses 230/400 volts with the European-style two-pin sockets. Local shopping hours are generally 9 or 10am to 7pm, with a lunch break around 1-3pm. Shops are generally closed on Sundays, except mornings in December for holiday shopping.
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to Portugal at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
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Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
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