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Galloping through surf on unspoilt sandy beaches, riding through old villages, passing Romanesque churches.  We leave the foothills of the Pyrenees, the undulating plains of the Empordá region await, fringed by the long curve of the Bay of Roses, kilometers of beach!  From here we can see the white-water of the waves where you will experience the gallop of your life in the surf.  Every hour passes with beautiful villages, castles and churches including Castellon de Empuries a lively cathedral town.  Ride through the fantastic nature of the Alt Empordà. Each time, precious towns, castles and churches. Discover small medieval villages such as real Besalú, Crespià and Bàscara. Cross hills and fields of wheat, poppies and sunflowers. Discover forests full of wild herbs. Canter on plans coastal meadows on mount and follow the small winding creek. Experience the most exciting gallop on the fringe of the sea. Alt Empordà is full of culture, history and natural diversity.

Day 1. Welcome to Can Muní
You will arrive to Can Muní. Located on the Pyrenees’ feet, facing the natural and wild reserve of the Illes Medes, the guesthouse of Can Muni, and its camp site, will make you discover l'Empordà, his preserved nature, riding trails. The multiple pleasures of the mountain and the country-side holidays. Holidays nature close to beach and Figueres, and not far from Girona and Barcelona. The ideal place for a horse riding holiday and an original way of discovering l'Empordà. Before dinner we will go over the week's program. You will be told about the special characteristics of our Andalucian trail horses. You will be given an introduction to the week´s programme with an opportunity for a one-to-one conversation designed to find every rider their perfect horse. Then, you can enjoy a fantastic dinner!

Day 2: The Journey Begins
Today after saddling the horses we are ready to leave, 240 km ahead. The horses are fresh and ready for the adventure. With lots of long canters and gallops through the Alt Empordà pine forests.
Every hour we pass another beautiful village, castles, churches, arches, tunnels, old wooden doors with wrought iron knockers, the beauty of the stonework of the past.
As the afternoon draws on you can sense the proximity to the coast and at last we arrive at the Mediterranean,the beautiful gulf of Rosas stretches before us. Our hotel for the night is right on the beach.

DAY 3: VAMOS A LA PLAYA!!!
After an early start, we trot our horses 1 km down to the beach. The long curve of the bay of Rosas stretches before us, kilometers of golden sand. Here we enjoy some excellent canters and gallops on the beach. (During July, the gallop on the beach will be very early -at 6:00 AM, because otherwise it is impossible to ride on the beach as it is high season).

After the beach ride we head inland again following the river Fluviá, past a bird sanctuary where we can sea flocks of migrating birds. The terrain is flat with lots of peach, pears, and apple orchards. The pace today is lively. By lunchtime we arrive at our destination Castellon d´Empurias. From here you can easily go down to the beach and have another afternoon- evening swim. Or you can go to Figueres to visit the famous Dali-museum, you can explore Castellon d´Empurias and do some shopping. Castellon d´Empurias is a lively cathedral town where we can enjoy some excellent tapas and cold drinks on one of the nice terraces and the local nightlife.

DAY 4: Boadella Lake
Today is a long day in the saddle, around 50km. After an excellent breakfast on the magnificent roof-top terrace of the hotel over-looking the cathedral with the Mediterranean on one side and the gentle curve of the Pyrenees on the other, we saddle up again to continue our journey back to the mountains.
Today the riding is spectacular,  once more a lively pace as we trot and canter out across the planes, through fields, meadows, and Mediterranean woodland rife with the scents of wild herbs and flowers.
In the afternoon we ride through olive groves and vineyards and past the lake of Boadella, on the edge of which we find our accommodation for the night. “La central” an art nouveau palace of blue ceramic tiled towers a haven of peace and tranquillity, a exclusive Spa Hotel, renound for its delicious cuisine Hydro massage pool and relaxing saunas, very welcome after 4 days in the saddle.

Day 5. Wildness Emporda
Today after saddling the horses we are entering in the most isolated are ato the whole trail. Flora, wildlife, nature, we are going to enter in the wildeness. During the morning we ride through rolling hills and pine forests. When we get to the river la Muga, we stop to take a bath under a medieval bridge. We continue through scenery of where it is very likely to meet herds of sheep or wild boar. At dusk we arrive at our destination, the charming village of Beuda, where we leave our horses to graze and rest. Can Felicià was built by father Felicià, heir of the Catalan farm "el Noguer de Segueró". Since the construction of the house it worked as a school for children that lived in the surroundings of the house. Today, is a house dedicated to rural tourism where rooms are rented without loosing the charm of the place.

Day 6. Catalan Architecture and Besalu
We follow the north bank of the river Fluvia where we can enjoy the spectacular fluvial scenery with lots of different bird species. We cover many miles in a short time through sunflower fields, open meadows and forest.
We stop in Besalu where we have a delicious picnic lunch by the river. Besalu, a medieval walled village, the ancient capital, is a jewel of Romanesque architecture set between two rivers. The squares, stone cut pillars and cool shady arched passageways are a wonder to behold. Not to mention the stained glass of its churches. You have some time to wander around and absorb the unique atmosphere of this ancient medieval village with its spectacular bridge and Romanesque architecture. Our destination for today is Hostal Nou de Crespia, where Elena and Juan are the perfect hosts. The house dates back to the seventeenth century and has been carefully restored. The swimming pool and the living room are all at our disposal. In the restaurant they serve a traditional cuisine based on the finest local ingredients and on some old family recipes.

Day 7.  Homeward Bound
In the morning we leave from Vilert into the forest and over the rolling hills around the village of Ollers, with its church dominating the area. Here you find some majestic farm houses built by the nobility in the 12th century.With amazing views on the Pyrenees behind us, we enter the historic village of Galliners with some fine examples of Catalan architecture. We travel through forests full of aromatic herbs and wild flowers and we stop for an  excellent lunch surrounded by Rosemary bushes. After lunch we continue our journey into the Alt Empordan region and after some good canters we hit the town of Bascara, alongside the river Fluvia. For the last part of today, a gentle ride following the river and into the village of Calabuig where we can see the 15th century castle/church, built on a hill overlooking the Alt Empurdan 360º around us. Our destination for today is Can Muní. Once we arrive, you can relax in the gardens or have a swim in the swimming pool. Joan and Isabel will make sure that we feel at home and serve us an excellent home cooked meal.

DAY 8: ADIOS AMIGOS
Breakfast and departure and we hope to see each other again soon

**Subject to Changes

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SPECIFICALLY FROM OUR PARTNER IN CATALONIA:

We recommend wearing jodhpurs, as these protect your legs from soreness of jean seams, and you will find a light-weight, cotton pair the most comfortable during the summer months.  You may want to bring two pairs.

Your riding boots should have a sole with a safe tread and be comfortable for walking, as you are certain to lead your horse on some occasions.  Paddock boots and half-chaps are the most flexible combination for comfort and leg protection than tall riding boots.

A long-sleeved shirt is recommended for protection against the sun and against scratches when riding through undergrowth. A light cotton scarf can help to avoid breathing in too much dust in dry areas. Bring sunglasses, also to protect your eyes from dust.

We strongly recommend bringing a water-bottle which can be refilled en-route; these can be carried in the saddle-bags provided.

Rain gear suitable for riding should be carried along, particularly during the months from November through April. It is essential that you bring good wet weather gear.  Although it rains very little, when it does it is normally a heavy downpour, consequently a jacket or cape and waterproof trousers are a good idea.

Good sun protection - gloves, sunscreen, and hat with a chin strap, sunglasses with straps!

A swimsuit, towel, shorts, and a windbreaker should also be taken. 

A belt pack in which to carry your camera and other small valuables during the ride is handy.

Attire on the ride daytime and evening, is strictly informal throughout, though if you are planning to visit other cities on your own later you may wish to bring dressier evening clothing.

Regular film can be obtained locally, but special sizes may not be available - bring plenty.  And make sure you have plentiful batteries.

It is a good idea to bring your own soap, since not all the hotels supply it. There will be NO  opportunity to have laundry done while on the ride. 

You start and finish with overnights at the horses' home base property and stay in the lovely 17th century stone farmhouse in Costa Brava, a 440 acres farm situated deep in the heart of the countryside and which has been recently restored to a very high standard, incorporating all the modern conveniences.

The Costa Brava is one of few places in the Mediterranean where the land meets the sea in a more dramatic fashion, as chunky peaks cloaked in dense forest are punctuated by coves of soft sand lapped by azure blue water. The farm is a perfect base for walking or touring this area - 2 km from the picturesque villages of Vilopriu and nearby the historic towns of Girona, Besalu and Olot. The beach resort of La Escala can be reached by car in about 10 minutes.

On the trail during the week you will be accommodated at specially selected small, high quality rural hotels/inns characteristic of the area (note: at one of the inns, the rooms are not all en suite) for a most authentic Catalonian trip.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas
Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements