|
This new ride is on the east coast of the island of
Mallorca, considered to be the jewel of the Mediterranean islands.
Located just east of the Spanish mainland, Mallorca is an island of 120
beaches, swaying palm trees and white sand. However, Mallorca's
diversity is rich - many wonderful villages, church towers and windmills
dotting the landscape, fields of fruit trees, plains and mountains. Here
time seems to stand still and people are very friendly. Over the
centuries, the Romans, Moors and Spanish have all left their mark on the
island. This is reflected in all aspects of life on the island including
the music, the language and the food. Catalan cuisine reflects the
history of the island; olives from the Romans, almonds and oranges from
the Moors, peppers and tomatoes from the Spanish, and always fresh
seafood.
The week includes instructions on quality Andalusian horses combined
with excellent trail rides across wide open beaches and on sandy forest
trails of the Nature park of Llevant. One of the highlights of
this horseback riding tour is a visit to an ancient fortress high on a
hill, with a commanding view of the landscape - Fort Castillo de
Santueri.
For those wanting to pursue their dressage training more, lessons are
offered on Andalusian stallions with the discretion of the instructors
for an additional fee - arrive a day early or stay longer.
PG-SMT7
Rates include accommodations, all meals, 5 riding days, English
speaking guide
7 days/ 6 nights $ 1,225
Single:
+$225
-- based on
€ 850 / € 150
2008 Dates:
02/04-02/10 02/18-02/24 03/03-03/09 03/17-03/23
03/31-04/06 04/14-04/20 04/28-05/04 05/12-05/18
05/26-06/01 06/09-06/15 06/23-06/29 07/07-07/13
07/21-07/27 08/04-08/10 08/18-08/24 09/01-09/07
09/15-09/21 09/29-10/05 10/13-10/19 10/27-11/02
11/10-11/16
reservation & availability
Meeting:
Felanitx
Airport: Palma de Mallorca
Transfer:
Included on Day 1 (between 2 and 5 PM) ...
on other days $135
(€
95)
Level:
Intermediate
Tack:
English
Horses:
Andalusian and
Spanish mix
Pace : Moderate with trots and canters
Min/Max Riders: 4-7
Min/ Age: 12
Note: ...
additional private dressage instructions on Andalusian stallions can be
arranged with prior notice.
.... see trip report
Accommodations, facilities
The finca, which has become the heart of the estate, has twelve
comfortable private rooms with bath and a Clubhouse with a bar,
restaurant, swimming pool and terraces and small spa with sauna,
whirlpool etc. It is built in the traditional style of a country home
and decorated in a functional and comfortable way, with all the
necessary facilities for a relaxing vacation. It is your home for the
week for instructions and trail rides. There is an arena for dressage
and jumping instructions as well as for beginner lessons.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Palma de Mallorca and
transfer to the Finca Son Menut. Son Menut is a typical family farm
situated in the Levante Hills. Here you will be surrounded by its
idyllic natural beauty, a lovely Finca with fruit orchards and their own
winery and a small spa facility. What a beautiful place to start your holidays.
Day 2: After you have finished breakfast, your first trail ride will be
around Son Menut. You will visit their vineyard and the town of “Son
Negre” where there is an ancient church and school. After lunch, you
will take another trail ride through the countryside and see almond
trees and some of the country’s beautiful landscapes.
Day 3: Today you will leave the ranch with your guide who will
bring you to Can Picafort. You will ride through the natural Parc “Son
Reial” and pass a really old mallorquin building called “Necrópolis de
Son Real”. This is a wonderful area of the northeastern part of
Mallorca, full of pines and sand tracks. While the horses are relaxing,
you will enjoy your lunch at a seaside restaurant and of course, have
some free time to swim if you wish. After your relaxing lunch, you will
continue to ride through the pine forest and smooth sand dunes to finish
your adventure at Son Serra. You will return to Son Menut to freshen up
and enjoy a marvelous dinner and possibly sample a bottle of their own
Son Menut wine on the terrace.
Day 4: Today you will go with your guide to Son Serra where your
horses will be waiting for you to go to “Es caló”. On your way there you
will pass through “Sa Canova” beach and two small villages of Mallorca,
S ́estanyol”, and “Colonia de Sant Pere”, all bordering the coast. You
will have a marvelous picnic lunch in “Es Caló” and also have time to
relax and swim at the beach. “Es Caló” is a natural area that is very
important to Mallorca where you will be able to catch a glimpse of two
very special birds of prey, the “Aguila Pescadora” and “e Alcón
Peregrino”. On your return journey you may be able to take a dip with
your horse if the weather permits. You return to Son Serra and will be
brought to Son Menut for dinner with the whole group.
Day 5: Leaving with your guide you will make your way to Cala
Mesquida and ride on to the “Ermita de Betlen”, a delightful little old
monastery. As you continue to ride in the direction of the “Finca d ́Aubarca”
you will see the fabulous scenery of the Alcudia bay and pass the “Torre
des Matzoc”, an old tower dated from 1741. From this tower you can see
the entire Llevant coast. You can be sure you will never forget the
spectacular views. You will continue your ride visiting some calas with
a perfectly blue sea and have a picnic lunch on one of the beaches. You
will return to Cala Mesquida and then to Son Menut.
Day 6: Today, your six mile trail ride will wind you through some
of the most beautiful terrain Mallorca has to offer which finishes on
the top of a hill at the famous castle “Castillo de Santueri”. Here you
will see almond and carob trees and the village below. It is commonly
believed to have been built by the Muslims in the 14th century and was
the scene of many battles as it offered control of the whole area. After
your lunch in “Can Raull” (mallorquin meals), on your return, you will
see typical rural houses and fruit-bearing trees. This evening you will
have a barbeque farewell dinner and a chance to talk about the weeks’
adventures with your new found riding companions.
Day 7: Breakfast and transfer to the Airport taking with you,
your unforgettable memories of your stay at Son Menut.
 |
 |
|
Trip report
by Lynne Marie Volk, Brooklyn NY
Trip date: Sept
3 to 9 2007
This was such an amazing trip. Exploring the island on horseback was an
experience difficult to put in words. The first day on the trail was a
little intimidating, even for an experienced rider like myself. There is
a sense of uncertainty, being on a strange horse and traveling over
changing terrain. Over the course of the week, I really bonded with my
horse, Habibi, to the point that I wished I could bring him home. I have
a newfound love and appreciation for the Andalusian horse.
I enjoyed so many things on this trip! My top three has to be:
1. Exploring nature on horseback. Mallorca is an island of many textures
and colors. I understand why so many artists make it there home.
2. The finca- waking up and watching stallions classically trained in
dressage.
3. Learning about other people's cultures and perspectives. I was the
only American on the trip- my fellow riders came from Sweden, Denmark,
and Scotland. The occasional language barrier just added to the
adventure. You come to realize how easy it is to communicate with
others, sometimes needing no words at all.
The staff was extremely friendly and our tour guide, Joe, had a kind
spirit that if more people had, the world would be a better place. My
fellow riders and I felt like old friends by the end and could have
stayed another week. The European Lifestyle completely revived my
senses, fueled my creativity again, making it even more difficult to go
back to the grind of the working world. I can't thank you enough for
this trip. As a very creative person/writer, I see how beneficial
equestrian vacations are for your soul. Honestly, my dream is to go on a
number of your tours (I have them all picked out), get inspiration and
learn about the world...and finish my book/screenplay. All I have to do
is find the means to make it happen. |
