...In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean
Not one piece of Europe is lonelier located as the
Azores. If a landscape could be tenderly, it’s here!
Behind the green meadows under a blue high sky,
the shining spray of the Atlantic Ocean. The air
seems to be soft and a bit misty. This let the contrasts being mild. Faial located in the Mid-Atlantic.
A nature made out of tropical forests and gardens.
Winter temperatures are around 16 degrees accompanied of sunshine almost every day.
During our Happy New Year Trail 2016 …in the
middle of the Atlantic Ocean we will discover the
unique Island of Faial. Thousand of miles away from
the continent we will welcome the New Year 2016.
The detailed itinerary of the Happy New Year Trail 2016 is the following:
27.12.2015: Day of Arrival:
You arrange yourself your own travel schedule to Lisbon
(Airport Code LIS) latest on the eve before your arrival day
on Faial. With your own arranged early flight you will travel
from Lisbon to Faial (Airport Code HOR). We pick you up
with our Land Rover and bring you to your accommodation,
the old Captains House Casa Capitão. After a Lunch-Snack
you will have the first meeting with the horses and a first
introduction. At the evening there will be the welcome Dinner at our Quinta and overnight at Casa Capitão.
28.12.2015: Trail to the old lighthouse
Today we are riding though a lonely landscape. Sometimes
a farmer on his way to his cows and bulls is passing our
way. A sparkling light is reflected by the Atlantic Ocean. At
lunchtime we arrive at the forest park Cabouco where a
typical Azorean barbecue is waiting for us. We canter along
Hydrangea benches and arrive at the old Lighthouse Farol
da Riberinha. The volcano island Pico offers us impressive
views. At evening we arrive at our lonely located paddock
where your horse will stay overnight. The day ends with a
nice dinner in our Quinta do Moinho.
29.12.2015 : Trail to the mystic zone of Capelo
The trail follows a steep way up to the mountain ridge of
the Lomba. Canter with great views alongside old plane
trees to the highest-located village of the island Ribeira Funda. Here lives Lucia. She is running a small island tavern. A
tasteful lunch is waiting for us. Riding further, the way leads
us up to the mountains of this picturesque village. Green
fields and nice paths are inviting us to trot along. After some
time we arrive at the mystic zone of Capelo. Passing jungle
like trails we approach to our paddock where the horses will
stay tonight. The dinner is waiting in the Quinta do Moinho.
30.12.2015 : Trail on the Volcano
Today the trail leads us to the impressive and bizarre desert volcanic landscape of Capelinhos. Ruins of old houses
buried with ash from the 1957 erupted volcano. A lighthouse and underneath, the highly awarded underground
Volcano Museum. We ride over parts of the new volcano
and enjoy a break in the smallest bar of the island Ao fim do
mundo. Here we listen to the stories of Domingo, the owner. A long canter around the green volcano Cabeço Verde
takes us back to our horse’s paddock. At evening nice food
and good drinks at Quinta do Moinho.
31.12.2015 : Sailors Town Horta und Happy New Year
Today our horses have a day off. We will visit the Sailors
Town Horta. During a special sight seeing tour you will feel
the mood of this beautiful Mid-Atlantic town. Close to the
beach of Porto Pim we enjoy our lunch snack. Walk around
the old streets, visit the harbor or spend your time at the
famous sailors bar Peter Café Sport. At the afternoon we
are driving back to Casa Capitão. Time to relax. The New
Year Eve starts with a typical Azorean New Year Eve Menu
in our Quinta. Close to midnight we walk to the cliffs, there
the New Year Bonfire is burning and we clink our glasses
with Portuguese Champagne and view to the waves in the
endless Atlantic Ocean.
01.01.2016: Brunch and Happy New Year Ride
After the inspiring night we start the day with a late brunch.
Later we drive to our horses. A small New Year Ride at the
afternoon leads us to the black beach of Fajã, a tropical
place of gardens and vineyards. A typical Azorean Dinner
will be served tonight in our Quinta.
02.01.2016: The mountain village Ribeira Funda
Today we will start the last trail day. We will cross the island
from the dry South to the evergreen North. Enjoy awesome
views to both sides of the island. At afternoon we approach
the small mountain village Ribeira Funda. A picnic is waiting
for us at a viewpoint where a waterfall is falling down into a
deep valley. We are listening to the shouts of the wild buzzards. Closer and closer we approach our final destination.
After a short stop at the Whale-Watching lookout Vigia dos
Cedros we will end the Happy New Year-Trail at the Quinta
do Moinho. Tonight we have to say good-bye.
03.01.2016: Date of departure
On the way to the airport in the morning we will stop at our island bakery and will have a short breakfast
with fresh bread, cheese and delicious coffee. With the early flight connection you will leave Faial back to
Lisbon. There you are able to catch afternoon flights back home.
Price & Trail-Dates:
27.12.2015-03.01.2016 (Minimum attendance: 4 Riders!)
Non-riders are always welcome!
Arrival Sunday. Start of the trail Monday. End of the trail is Saturday. Departure Sunday. We offer daily
transfer to the accommodation. No daily need to prepare your luggage. 4 Riding-Days, each 4-5 hours
riding time (20-25 km). Happy New Year Ride 3h.
Price: 1.389 EURO Single Room Extra: 259 EURO
Including all transfers; experienced English/Portuguese spoken trail guide; gentle and trained trail horse;
special trail equipment; accommodation in lovely restored old farm houses with double- and single-rooms
(Extra) with shower and toilet; all meals, at lunch mostly picnic (Saddlebag -Picnic) or Island-Tasca incl. soft
drinks and table wine. At dinner we serve typical Azorean cuisine excl. drinks. New years eve Sylvester
Menu. Free WLAN is offered at PÁTIO Horse & Lodge. Price does not include extra activities like i.e. visit
of the Volcano Museum and travel insurance
Important note:
You will participate on a trail on the Azorean - Island Faial. The island is located in the Mid-Atlantic. From
time to time there might be special meteorological conditions. These conditions can influence the trail
content, i.e. high wind speed or very strong rainfall. Due to security reasons for horse and rider, the trail
guide can change the course of the trail or even can stop during these weather circumstances the trail.
What to take:
We suggest to take the following special equipment with you: waterproofed trekking-footwear, wind- and
waterproofed jacket and trouser, own riding helmet.
Riding Qualification:
You should be able to ride in all paces also able to ride 4-5h in country terrain, minimum 16 years age
(below 16 years on request). Maximum riders weight 95 kg.
Your horse is a well-trained pure Lusitano or a Cross Breed Lusitano. The size of our horses is approx.
1,55-meter.
We offer special Trail Rider Equipment (trail saddle, saddlebags and Australian raincoats).