{"id":1324,"date":"2017-08-10T17:21:24","date_gmt":"2017-08-10T15:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.viaggioemozioneacavallo.com\/?p=1324"},"modified":"2018-02-01T14:45:15","modified_gmt":"2018-02-01T13:45:15","slug":"azores-riding-sao-miguel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.viaggioemozioneacavallo.com\/en\/2017\/08\/10\/azores-riding-sao-miguel\/","title":{"rendered":"Azores: riding in S\u00e3o Miguel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Azores: riding in S\u00e3o Miguel<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We were in May. My thoughts were flying to the next month, to where I should go. It was already late to book anywhere. Wow … what do I do? Where will I ride?<\/p>\n

I work in a metalworking company and I have a compulsory holiday because the company closes the whole month of August and two weeks during the Christmas holidays. I have to organize myself for these periods, which are the most difficult and expensive. In Italy, as abovementioned, I do not know tour operators specialized in horse trekking, so I have to return to the most famous English tour operator that organizes tours around the world.<\/p>\n

Last time in 2016, they had not accepted me for the Moroccan tour, but I am a stubborn woman. I did in the same way with the Ranch de Diabat. I had to try again !!! The Italian representative considered that it was a bit late and that so many tours were already full booked. After knowing that I was in Morocco with tour operators, she did everything she could to be their customer and find a place not too expensive and not too far away.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll not tell you how to wander through various riding schools to understand the differences: what they do, how much it cost and \u2026by the way, it’s always a way to meet new people and different horses and above all, to keep learning.<\/p>\n

I found the tour that suits me both as a destination and as a cost: the\u00a0Azores<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I’ve never been to the Azores. I’ve only heard about it from various Oceanic Skippers as a landing place before playing with the trade winds to sail for America.<\/p>\n

I read on-line:<\/a>\u00a0The Faial Island is part of the central group of the Azores, forming the “islands of the triangle”, together with S\u00e3o Jorge and the nearby Pico. From the latter it split up with the Faial Canal, about 8 kilometers wide. Faial\/ This Island is also known as the Blue Island because of many hedges of blue hydrangeas planted surrounding its white houses and embellish its streets. During the seventeenth century, the island became a very important commercial port, thanks to its position that turn it to a safe haven between Europe and America.<\/em><\/p>\n

In my mind, there is a great expectation, and I read all information regarding the Azores. What a surprise … they should be beautiful.<\/p>\n

Vegetation, volcanoes still active, beaches, cliffs, flowers everywhere, waterfalls of warm water, Mediterranean climate, a nine islands\u2019 group, each of which historically and traditionally different from the other.<\/p>\n

I entered into travel contract with this tour operator. A confirming contract of 22 pages has been forwarded to me (or … This tour operator drew up a contract of 22 pages and sent it to me. I run to look on-line the place where I would go for a one-week trip on horseback: a beautiful estate with 50 horses … it seems all right.<\/p>\n

The day of the great departure has arrived! I’m much quieter than before, since I’m now becoming a “veteran” of horse trekking … I smile on my own !!!<\/p>\n

Level of riding required: intermediate \/ advanced \u2013 I cheated a little bit and I declared \u201cintermediate\u201d level.<\/p>\n

My bags were ready for S\u00e3o Miguel\u00a0 – Azores <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The first time in your life ever exists !!<\/p>\n

I missed the connecting flight for Lisbon (three hours delay) and I arrived the next day without luggage.<\/p>\n

I got off at Ponta Delgada<\/strong>, a little sad thinking that the following day I should begin my week of horse trekking but no clothes … I had almost nothing and I had no idea when my suitcase would arrive.<\/p>\n

(In my handbag, I had the cap, Ariat boots, gaiters and gloves, so all things considered, I had also been great … but it was not enough to saddle the horse).<\/p>\n

I met the person from the estate waiting for me, Rui , <\/strong>very kind, and we went to the estate:\u00a0QUINTA DE TERCA<\/strong><\/a>. During the way from the airport, he told me everything he knew about the island and the estate. Arrival!! To welcome me here are the owners: \u00a0 Christina e Claude De Laval.<\/strong><\/p>\n