burros & artes

donkeys & arts. We provide two products: interaction with the natural and rural surroundings in the company of a highly sensitive animal, the donkey, and stimulation of your creativity by practicing arts or traditional handcrafts.

We believe in simplicity, authenticity, quietness, fun and companionship.

We are active since 2009 mainly in Algarve’s councils of Aljezur, Monchique and Vila do Bispo. We also offer our services in Eastern Algarve and Alentejo.

Activities

Donkeys - Slow is Beautiful:

• Trekking from 2 to 10 days; our routes are: GR “Rota Vicentina” and GR “Via Algarviana”, through the Natural Park “Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina” and Monchique Mountains. The donkeys carriy the hikers’ luggage, but, first and foremost, they are the heart and soul of our tours! Our trekking tours, guided or individual, include all logistics.
• Short donkey hikes (1h30, 3h, 1 day) in SW Portugal

Arts and traditional handcraft:

We welcome you to nourish your creativity! You can choose between various traditional handcrafts like

• pottery;
• modelling in clay;
  
• felting;
  
• wickerwork
  
• weaving.

Our workshops take place in a relaxed atmosphere and can be set wherever you like. Be it in plain nature (ex. at the beach!), at your accommodation or at the donkey farm near Aljezur.

Other Activities

Street Performances at local fairs and celebrations; Parties for School groups; Birthdays; Bachelor(ette) parties; Special needs groups; Retirement homes and others.

Burros & artes ideally works with small groups thus insuring a personalized attention to detail, although we may host goups up to 25 people.

The Team

Sofia von Mentzingen (donkey activities), German, tour guide, pediatric nurse, culture manager, since 11 years in Aljezur and, in the 80ies, five years in Lisbon.

Elsa Lopes Ribeiro (arts & traditional handcraft), Portuguese, artisan & promoter of traditional arts and crafts.

We speak Portuguese, English, French and Spanish.