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, you will be told about the special characteristics of our Andalusian trail horses. And after dinner you will be given an introduction to the weeks program with 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’ when anyone found guilty of holding up the ride at any point having to buy a bottle of local cava for the group that evening, making for lively dinners!

Day 2:  The Trail Begins
After breakfast and tacking up, we leave following along a ridge with spectacular views, through forest, rosemary and thyme. We pass by Besalu, a medieval village, the gateway to the Pyrenees. Down to the river Fluviá, out of the rolling hills onto the planes, we canter and gallop through olive groves and fields of wheat, past country farmhouses and churches and into the Pyrenean foothills.
Our destination for today is Sant Marti de Sesceres, an XII century church and rectory, here we settle the horses for a well earned rest and we are driven back to the center. Before dinner we will try some of the Empurdan wines.

Day 3   THE WILDERNESS RIDE
The Mediterranean Pyrenean wilderness stretches out before us, foothills heavily forested with oak, cork and beech, witness the spectacular vastness of the Pyrenees. Today you will notice the fitness of the horses; at the end of the days they are still enthusiastic about a long gallop.
Before lunch we lead our horses along a winding forest track. Picnic by a mountain river, enjoy a swim, a rest and then we ride through the ancient medieval village of Sant LLorenc de la Muga with its castle in the background. We tie up the horses and have a drink in the local cafe, and then on to our hotel for the night. “La Central” an art nouveau palace of blue ceramic tiled towers, a haven of peace and tranquillity. An exclusive spa hotel, infamous for its delicious cuisine, hydro massage pool and relaxing saunas! Very welcome after 3 days in the saddle! Now we are on the edge of the Alvera, the oldest wine growing region of the Iberian peninsula.

Day 4   THE COASTAL VINEYARDS - swimming with the horses
A day of lively riding and excitement, because we are going to swim with the horses in a lake. An unforgettable experience! Today we leave the mountains and ride through the Alvera wine growing region, olive groves and vineyards, intense natural beauty.
In the morning we stop at Boadella, a lake surrounded by a breathtaking mountainous scenery, for a refreshing swim with the horses. Always a pleasure for both people and horses.
The village of Capmany, in the heart of the wine region, is our destination for today. Here we will settle the horses and go to our hotel for a relaxing afternoon with a visit to one of the famous bodegas for a wine tasting session. Here you get the opportunity to taste some of the best local wines (even the French come here to buy it!)

Day 5   Along the plains to the CATHEDRAL OF CASTELLON DE EMPURIAS
Heading out across the plains with some long trots and canters. Hard working, responsive horses enjoying the pace. Today we pass some interesting villages, like Peralada famous for it´s cava, casino in the castle and big Empurdanees farm houses, follow a beautiful river and enjoy the wide open space. We stop in the lovely town of Peralada for lunch and we can visit the Cava cellers.
This evening our destination is Castellon d´Empurias. In ancient times this was the capital of the region, a village dominated by its spectacular cathedral.
Our hotel 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 or cold drinks at one of the nice terraces and the local nightlife.

Day 6   AIGUAMOLS THE NATURAL PARK
After breakfast on the magnificent roof-top terrace of the hotel over-looking the cathedral and with amazing views of the surrounding landscape, we saddle up again to continue our journey through the Aiguamols. The Aiguamols is a natural park, home of bright flamingos and other exotic birds.
We will ride out of this medieval village through the northern part of the Aiguamols Park over a small mountain range and on to the Cap de Creus peninsular. From up here the views are spectacular, kilometres of coast rocks, cliffs and little bays. We will have lunch in a pine forest near a lake where you can swim. In the afternoon we will ride down out of the mountains through an idyllic vineyard of beautiful terraced vines.
Our evening destination is Port de la Selva, an active fishing village in the small bay, on the northern side of the peninsular. Our hotel for the night has an excellent spa and is situated right on the edge of the port. You can enjoy a swim in the sea & a delicious fish dinner next to the sea.

Day 7   RIDING ON THE MOON
Today we ride further along the Cap the Creus. This peninsula of sculptured rock is full of flowering shrubs, a truly remarkable lunar landscape. This is Salvador Dali country, the area that inspired many of his paintings. This morning will have spectacular views on the Mediterranean coast. We lead our horses down to Talavera Bay, a smugglers cove and fantastic beach, where we have a picnic. Here you can swim with your horses and its a pleasure to see how much they like to swim. Following a lovely afternoon on the beach, we ride on to the ridge above the village of Cadaques. Before we are driven back, we will celebrate our arrival with a glass of Cava at a lighthouse overlooking the coast and the terrain we have been riding through. Tonight we will be back at the mountain lodge for a final farewell supper, a glorious end to a wonderful journey.

DAY 8 : BYE BYE
Breakfast & goodbye! You leave for the airport with a lot of memories and a little bit more peace of mind, we hope. 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.


     Subject to Change

The overall climate of Catalonia is similar to Southern California: hot in the summer, pleasant and moderate in the spring and fall, and fairly cool in the winter. Rain is possible anytime, but rare in summer. The main rainy season is from the end of October to the beginning of May.

English or Western riding attire is fine for the ride. Rain gear suitable for riding should be carried along, particularly during the months from November through April. Good sun protection (gloves, sunscreen, and hat with a chin strap), sunglasses with straps, swimsuit, towel, shorts, and a windbreaker should also be taken. A jacket or sweater for the cool evenings is recommended. A hard hat is not required, but recommended for safety. A belt pack in which to carry your camera and other small valuables during the ride is handy.

We recommend wearing jodhpurs, as these protect your legs from soreness, and you will find a light-weight, cotton pair, more comfortable during the summer months. You may need two pairs if you are on one of the longer rides. Your riding boots should have a sole with tread and be comfortable for walking, as you are certain to lead your horse on some occasions. Jodhpur boots and half-chaps are a more flexible combination for comfort and leg protection than long riding boots. A long-sleeved shirt is recommended for protection against the sun and against scratches when riding through undergrowth. Lightweight riding gloves are useful, as is a "bum bag" to contain your camera and any other items you may need during your ride. We strongly recommend taking a water-bottle, especially on trail rides, that can be refilled en-route; these can be carried in the saddle-bags provided. A light cotton scarf can help to avoid breathing in too much dust in dry areas.

Attire is strictly informal throughout, though if you are planning to visit other cities on your own later you may wish to bring a jacket and tie

Please pack your luggage in one or two soft bags rather than a cumbersome suitcase.

Don't forget your Passport!

The week's accommodation is in local inns and small hotels selected for their character and comfort as well as for their cuisine. At midday we will eat delicious picnics.

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

In general the hotels only heat the rooms during the winter months. Even newer buildings are seldom insulated. Therefor when the weather turns cool you can have an impression of dampness. In case your room is too cool during your stay, you should find an extra wool blanket in the closet, or ask at the reception.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

As the rides on some days are up to 6 hours in the saddle, we highly recommend that you ride regularly for at least 2-3 months before your departure, and that in the fortnight beforehand you go on at least two or three longer rides of 3 or 4 hours in length. Try also to get yourself in a state of reasonable general fitness.

 Riding is English style with English endurance-type saddles (Spanish saddles are available upon request for some horses). The guides speak English.

Tack:		English, Spanish
Horses:		Spanish & Andalusian Cross
Pace:		Moderate with long canters, some steep descents, approx 5 hrs in the saddle - 20 miles per day | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Good Intermediate
Riders:		Min 6 riders	Max 10 riders

As the rides on some days are up to 6 hours in the saddle, we highly recommend that you ride regularly for at least 2-3 months before your departure, and that in the fortnight beforehand you go on at least two or three longer rides of 3 or 4 hours in length. Try also to get yourself in a state of reasonable general fitness.

 Riding is English style with English endurance-type saddles (Spanish saddles are available upon request for some horses). The guides speak English.

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