Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
signature tour follows the Alentejo Royal Horse Stud Trail, with stays at grand country es-
tates.
dressage program on Lusitano horses at the Escola de Equitação de Alcainça, near Mafra,
including accommodation plus 90 minutes/three hours of riding per day for US$195/240
in the low season, to US$220/265 in the high season.
Wildlife Watching
Portugal has excellent
birdwatching
, especially in Atlantic coastal lagoons and the deep
river canyons along the Spanish border. In the south, prime spots include the Serra do
Caldeirão (
Click here
)
, Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (
Click here
)
, Parque Natural do
Vale do Guadiana (
Click here
)
and the Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila
Real de Santo Antonio (
Click here
)
. In the Alentejo, Castro Verde is near good birdwatch-
ing (in particular the LPN Interpretative and Environmental Centre;
Click here
)
, while the
nature reserve of the Sado estuary (Reserva Natural do Estuário do Sado;
Click here
)
near
Setúbal is also a big draw.
North of Lisbon, the Ilhas Berlengas are a perfect place to observe seabirds. Other good
places for birdwatching include Reserva Natural do Paúl de Arzila near Coimbra; Dunas
de São Jacinto (
Click here
)
near Aveiro; and the Tejo and Douro gorges, where vultures
and eagles nest in the Parque Natural do Tejo Internacional (
Click here
)
and Parque Natur-
al do Douro Internacional (
Click here
)
.
Portugal's leading ornithological society is the
Sociedade Portuguêsa para o Estudo
de Aves
, which runs government-funded projects to map the distribution of Portugal's
breeding birds.
For birdwatching and other nature- oriented
guided excursions
in the Algarve, there
are several excellent options:
Wildaway
(
www.wildaway.com
)
, based in Portugal, offers day tours of the Algarve's lagoons,
wetlands, salt marshes and tidal flats. Prices for a guided seven-hour day trip start at €120
for one to three people without transport, or €180 with transport. Multiday group and
private tours can also be arranged.
southern Portugal starting at £1295.
