Transfer Option:

Day 1: ARRIVAL
Pick up from the airport in Barcelona at 6:30 PM. After a 1.5 hr drive north you will be driven up a winding track to the riding center, an 11th century farmhouse perched high up on a ridge overlooking the Pyrenees. Here you will meet the family, the guide and the team. At dinner the guide will go over the week’s program and you will be told all about the special characteristics of our Andalusian trail horses. After dinner you will be given an opportunity for a one to one conversation designed to find every rider their perfect horse. Finally, you will discover how to play the ´Champagne Rules’ which is when anyone is found guilty of holding up the ride at any point they must buy a bottle of local cava for the group that evening, which makes for lively dinners!
Day 2: LEAVING THE MOUNTAINS (The Journey begins)
Today after saddling the horses we are ready to leave, 200 km ahead. The horses are fresh and ready for the adventure.
During the morning we ride through the valleys of La Miana and we pass the spectacular church of Sant Frutós. We are leaving the mountains. When we get to the river Fluvia, one of Catalonia’s biggest rivers, we travel along the south bank of the river Fluvia, where we stop for a picnic.
We continue through scenery of rolling hills and pine forests where it is very likely to meet herds of sheep or wild boar. 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 3: CATALAN ARCHITECTURE
Sadly we have to leave our lovely hotel and say goodbye to our hosts. We ride 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. We walk into the fortified centre, with its castle, and stop in one of the traditional bars for a carajillo or a glass of local fino. Back on our horses 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, build on a hill overlooking the Alt Empurdan 360º around us. Our destination for today is Can Sort, an old traditional Catalan country farmhouse which has been renovated and decorated with antique furniture. Here you can relax in the gardens or have a swim in the swimming pool. Jaime and Cristina will make sure that we feel at home and serve us an excellent home cooked meal.
Day 4: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ROMANS
Today the scenery and pace is varied. Every hour we pass another beautiful village, castles, churches, chapels, arches, old wooden doors with wrought iron knockers, the beauty of the stonework of the past. We will stop for a drink in a bar in the middle of the pine forest where we can listen to the singing of the crickets. We ride along with excellent views where it is not unusual to disturb a resting eagle and to be able to watch it soar gracefully above us. We ride through the coastal mountains, with views all around us, and act in the footsteps of the Romans, following a part of the Roman road from Gerona to the important Roman settlement on the coast (Sant Marti d´Empuries) and further into France. We enjoy our lunch near a natural well, a welcome refreshment for us and the horses.
After a siesta we saddle the horses and go coastal bound. Out of nowhere we suddenly see the magnificent castle Sant Feliu de la Garriga, a 12th century fortified castle with a Romanesque church. From here we have spectacular views on the coast and we see our beach for tomorrows ride. Our destination of today is our hotel in L´Escala, a lively town situated at the coast. Walk around the old town or plunge into the sea before dinner.
Day 5: VAMOS A LA PLAYA (and the Dali theater museum)
Today we make an early start. The long curve of the bay of Rosas stretches before us. Miles of sand and surf, not a soul, the splash of the waves, the Mediterranean sunrise, the dull thud of the hoofs on the sand, the horses love to cool their legs in the sea. Here we enjoy some excellent canters and gallops. What an experience! After the beach ride we head inland again through the natural Parc Aiguamols, a bird sanctuary where we can see flocks of migrating birds. We stop in the lively fishing village Sant Pere de Pescador for a coffee and some sightseeing. Heading for Castellon d´Empurias, the terrain is flat with lots of pears and apple orchards and also huge rice fields. The pace today is lively. By lunchtime we arrive at our destination Castellon d´Empurias. In ancient times this was the capital of the region, a lively town dominated by its spectacular cathedral. Our hotel, in the historic center, has an outdoor swimming pool where you can relax on one of the sun beds on the lovely patio or you can do some shopping, enjoy some excellent tapas with cold drinks at one of the nice terraces and explore the local nightlife. Or you can go to Figueres to visit the famous Dali-museum and amaze yourself with his art.
Day 6: MILES INTO THE ALT EMPORDA
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 through the Alt Emporda. Today we have miles ahead of us. We ride through the village of Riumors and gallop over the planes surrounded by fields with different crops.
Around lunch time we will find an excellent spot in the beautiful wild forest for our picnic.With an amazing view on the Pyrenees in the distance, we ride through walnut and olive groves before we go down to the river Fluvia where you can see the immediate change in scenery. All year around its lush and almost looks like the Amazon jungle. At dusk we arrive at our destination, where we leave our horses to graze and rest. Tonight we will be driven to the home base for a welcome meal with our popular house wine.
Day 7: HEADING HOME & VISIT BESALU
We start of with a refreshing gallop and we ride through sunflower fields and walnut groves to the picturesque village of Crespia. 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. In the afternoon we ride through the scented oak forests above beautiful ravines that so characterize this mountainous region known as the Garrotxa. The views are superb with the Pyrenees in the distance to the north and the Mediterranean coast to the south. After some long canters we see our base - a welcome sight as we arrive in the afternoon. A glass, or two, of Cava on the terrace overlooking the mountains followed by a delicious meal is a perfect end to a marvelous journey.
Day 8: DEPARTURE
Departure after brakfast.

Departure after breakfast. Arrival at the airport in Barcelona is estimated around 11:30 AM. If you are staying for an extra few days, there is a good train connection from the airport to the center in Barcelona.

**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 11th century stone farmhouse which has been lovingly restored into a rural  inn for international travelers from all walks of life.  It is tucked away in the Catalonian hills with breathtaking panoramic views over the Catalan Pyrenees.  It offers the warmest climate of all the Pyrenean range, an almost unknown corner of Spain, but once discovered  it is never forgotten.  Dating back to AD 1000, the farm draws drinking water from its own well, while electricity is generated by a solar power system and a generator.

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