On frequents walks along the salinas in Arroteia, Tavira, I fell in love with a pretty quinta and its friendly horses. My fascination was fueled when I met its owners, Alexandra and Arnaud Lunelli after a friend suggested we try one of Alexandra’s aerial yoga classes.

And, so, I met the horses and found out that Alexandra is also a skilled rider, and avid nature lover.

“My husband and I moved from France to the Algarve eight years ago to settle in the Ria Formosa natural park,” says Alexandra. “We have always been charmed by this amazing landscape and its ecosystem, so we decided to learn more about it. We were running a luxury B&B in Saint-Emilion France, so coming back to tourism was kind of natural.”

Created five years ago, Pirate Deluxe is an eco-friendly family-run company offering horse tours, yoga lessons, massages and kayak discovery tours of the Ria.

The horse tours offer the chance to ride along the stunning lagoon in front of Tavira and Armona islands, known for its prolific endemic and migrant bird species.

“We pass by a little typical Portuguese fishing harbour and cross the salinas where we often spot flamingos, egrets, herons, avocets, storks and a whole lot more,” says Alexandra. “I think the beautiful setting and the high-quality, intimate experience make our tours unique.

“We’ve also done training with the IPMA (Instituto Portugues do Mar e do Ambiente), the UAlg (Algarve University) and Cienca Viva to be able to give our guests accurate scientific information about the specific ecosystem of the Ria Formosa.”

Another attraction is that the horses are all “rescues” in line with their belief in improving animal welfare in Portugal.

“Our horses were rescued in Alentejo, and our aim is to give them the best life possible,” explains Alexandra. “Our guests contribute by working with us to improve animal welfare and nature protection in Portugal.”

Guests have several options. Those who are experienced riders get to enjoy being on horseback in a private, intimate group (maximum three riders), while the walking tour with the horses is perfect for families or large groups. Both take two hours.

“There’s also the option of spending the whole day with us where you can do the horse tour in the morning and then kayak in the lagoon in the afternoon to discover secret beaches and the magic of the Ria Formosa.

“We love our special place so much that we’re happy to customise special treats for our guests.”

Times: All year, except July and August when the horses have their summer holiday.

Cost: Horse-riding €65 and walking with a horse partner €20.

Suitable for: Experienced riders and anyone who can manage a two-hour walk.

Contact: info@piratedeluxe.com / 925 477 997