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A Taste of Provence
Provence
France
A trail ride in the heart of Provence, country of sunlight and fragrances, at the time of year painters and all artists prefer. Come discover all the landscapes painted by Cezanne. A week dedicated to trail riding in the beautiful Provence landscapes and villages, tasting the Mediterranean food with the local people who have more time to share with you. This is an introduction to the Luberon Regional Nature Park, combined with some interesting sight-seeing and gourmet days.
The discovery of these beautiful landscapes and friendly faces make beginners' fears soon disappear. The kindness of the horses allows a rapid development of the rider in all gaits suitable for trail riding (walk, trot and canter).
French language Course:
If you are interested, you will receive two hours of formal French lessons each day, and every effort will be made to speak French with you throughout each day and evening. Total immersion in riding, language and culture!
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Family Vacation
Center-based ride
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Meeting:
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Lauris
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Airport:
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Marseille
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Transfer:
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Marseille Airport or Aix-en-Provence Train Station
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Riders:
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Min
1 riders
Max
4 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates include*:
Taste of Provence: Standard accommodations, Most meals with wine for lunch and dinner, 5 riding days, Wine tastings & Transfers from/to Marseille airport or Aix en Provence train station at set times.
Week in Provence: Standard accommodations, Most meals with wine for lunch and dinner, 5 riding days, Wine tastings & Transfers from/to Marseille airport or Aix en Provence train station at set times.
New Year's Eve Special: Standard accommodations, All meals with wine for lunch and dinner, 5 riding days and 1 day of sightseeing & Transfers from/to Marseille airport or Aix en Provence train station at set times.
* prices are per person based on double/twin occupancy
Rates Note:
For 1 pax booking as willing to share: 25% off single supplement rate will be applied if we don't have anybody to share with you
It is possible to book extra nights before or after the tour - please inquire
Transfer and Other Charges:
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2020
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Transfer from Marseille Airport or Aix-en-Provence Train Station included at set times
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€
0
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$0
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2020
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Non-rider -- 50% discount
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€
0
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$0
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2020
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** For 1 pax booking as willing to share: 25% off single supplement rate will be applied if we don't have anybody to share with you
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€
0
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$0
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2020
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Taxi transfer from/to Aix-en-Provence TGV station, one way, per car (3-4 pax)
This is a "Group Rate" - to be paid locally
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€
130
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$150
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2020
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Taxi transfer from/to Aix-en-Provence central train station, one way, per car (3-4 pax)
This is a "Group Rate" - to be paid locally
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€
110
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$125
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2020
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Taxi transfer from/to Marseille airport, one way, per car (3-4 pax)
This is a "Group Rate" - to be paid locally
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€
150
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$170
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Rates do not include:
Taste of Provence: 2 lunches (on day 3 and day 6), Beverages outside of mealtime, Entrance fee to the Cezanne work studio & Gratuities.
Week in Provence:: Lunch on Day 4, Dinner on day 5, Beverages outside of mealtime & Gratuities
New Year's Eve Special: Beverages outside of mealtime & Gratuities
It is possible to upgrade to luxury accommodations, but in this case, wine is not included with dinner
Sample Itinerary - subject to changes
Please, note that the 5-day program starts on Monday morning (meeting at 9am in Lauris) and ends on Friday after the ride (around 5pm).
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
After airport or train collection, riders will gather at your lovely French Farm House late in the afternoon. Introduction to your accommodation, an aperitif in front of the fire place, and a presentation of the ride will mark the start of your week in Provence.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Les Gargoulettes in Lauris
Day 2 (Monday): Introductory Trail Ride
In the morning, meet your equine partner and “get acquainted” on an introductory trail ride in the vineyards surrounding the Farm. Enjoy a French lunch on the grounds of the Farm. In the afternoon the group leaves for another one hour and a half hour ride into the rolling hills of the Luberon Mountain range. You will see White Oaks, olive trees and the great perfume filled countryside of Provence. This area was home to the shooting of two very famous Provencal movies of French culture, "Jean de Florette" and "Manon de Sources" adapted from the novels of the famous author, Marcel Magnol. The movies will be played at the farm after the dinners during the week if you wish to view.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Les Gargoulettes in Lauris
Day 3 (Tuesday): Luberon & Durance
Morning ride between the Luberon and Durance mountains: along vineyards, fields of olive trees, almond trees, cherry trees, peach trees ...
We will go back to the equestrian center for lunch. In the afternoon, we ride in the scented trails of the Luberon, among thyme, sage, rosemary.
Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Les Gargoulettes in Lauris
Day 4 (Wednesday): Durance River Ride
Today, you will ride to the Durance river bank for a lovely picnic lunch with aperitif, cheeses, salads, local pies, local wines and coffee. Riding down the hills, you will discover the entire Durance Valley, and take a glimpse at the village of Lauris, perched on the cliff. The ride back will be an easy ride through lovely agricultural landscape. You will discover the rich soil that permits this area to have the best production of wine, asparagus, olives, truffles, cherries, apricots, melons, and many other of the Provence treasures!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Les Gargoulettes in Lauris
Day 5 (Thursday): Luberon Ridges
This morning, we head to the Luberon ridges. We will stop for a picnic lunch in a beatiful cedar forest. You will be able to enjoy views over the "mont Ventoux", called the "Giant of Provence" as well as the Southern Alps.
Return through a valley to the equestrian center. Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Les Gargoulettes in Lauris
Day 6 (Friday): Lourmarin Visit & Wine Tasting Ride
This morning you will visit the famous Provencal village of Lourmarin, This is where Peter Mayle – the Author of “A Year in Provence”, used to live.
After your free lunch (not included) in the village, you will go on your last ride to a local cellar producing “Cotes du Luberon”. This little family cellar has been promoted by Robert Parker, the famous American Wine Writer. Don’t drink too much, just enjoy the tastes, before once again riding through the nice pine tree forests and bringing your horse home to the pasture in the woods, where they will have a weekend rest.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Les Gargoulettes in Lauris
Day 7 (Saturday): Departure
After breakfast, around 9:30 am transportation to train station or airport is organized.
Meals included: Breakfast
Non Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. It is best to have a car in order to do some sightseeing while the rest of the group explores on horseback.
Meeting:
Lauris
Airport:
Marseille
Train station:
Aix-en-Provence
Transfer:
Marseille Airport or Aix-en-Provence Train Station
Distance:
45 miles
Pick-up / drop-off for this trip is available from Aix-en-Provence TGV train station at 11 AM
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Tack:
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Western saddles with saddle bags
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Horses:
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Camargue horses
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Pace:
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Moderate - with walk, trot and some canters, 3 to 5 riding hours per day
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Age:
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Min
12
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Max
80
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Weight:
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Max
200 lbs / 90 kg
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Riders:
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Min
1 riders
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Max
4 riders
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Riding Level
In order to make the most of the ride, we require riders to be at ease with walk, trot and canter, in outdoor riding.
Pace
This program includes 5 riding days depending on the option you choose. You will ride an average of 5 hours every day (about 2-3 hours in the morning and again 2-3 hours in the afternoon). The pace will vary according to the terrain.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except: (a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Passport NoteFranc. more
Lourmarin area
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Month
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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Average High Temperature (°F)
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50
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52
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59
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64
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72
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80
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85
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83
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77
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68
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57
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51
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Average Low Temperature (°F)
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32
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33
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37
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42
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49
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56
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61
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60
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54
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48
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39
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33
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Average High Temperature (°C)
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10
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11
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15
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18
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22
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26
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29
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29
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25
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20
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14
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11
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Average Low Temperature (°C)
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0
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0
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3
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6
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10
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13
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16
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16
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12
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9
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4
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1
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Average Precipitation (days of rain)
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5
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4
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4
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5
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4
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2
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1
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2
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4
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5
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5
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4
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Source: NOAA
Seasons
Thanks to its position in the South of France, the Provence region enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. The region benefits from warm summers and mild winters.
Summer
The hot summer days are broken up by the evening sea breezes which provide a cooling break from heat and create an ideal atmosphere to enjoy what this alluring picturesque area has to offer. Along the coast, summers are hot, with scarce rain for a 3 month period in the midst of summer. However, when it rains – it pours and often the rain is associated with thunder. Sunshine is plentiful - up to 11/12 hours a day in summer and around 5 in midwinter.
Winter
Winters in the region are generally mild and sunny but this pleasant weather is often interrupted by very unsettled cold and squally weather brought in by the famous northerly ‘mistral’ wind. The mistral blows with particular strength through around Marseille and through the Rhône Valley.
| This list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Jodhpurs or comfortable jeans (used if possible!) |
| Riding boots and mini chaps |
| Riding helmet (some helmets are available at the stables- bring your own for best fit!) You may sign a waiver on arrival if you wish to ride without a helmet |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection |
| Lightweight Waterproof |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjamas |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Jacket |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and extra batteries |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
Luggage is limited to 1 piece per person. It can be a regular suitcase or a bag but dimensions should not exceed 70cm x 40cm x 40cm and 15kg!
If you wish to bring an extra luggage, please advise us, as we may need an extra vehicle, and a supplement may be asked.
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so you will be staying in the same location each night.
Description
Your host welcome you in their lovely country house in Lauris. Each room has its own theme and decor with air-conditioning, a TV, free Wi-Fi access and ensuite facilities. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a Jacuzzi and a sauna that guests are welcome to use.
Room Occupancy
Triple occupancy is available at most accommodations. If not available, we can book one double and a single without the supplement.
If traveling as a single rider willing to share and we don't find anyone to share, then the single supplement will apply.
Meals
Most meals are included in your package (check itinerary for more details) and typical Provençal meals are on the menu.
Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations we stay in.
At lunch, our assistant will prepare a substantial buffet, a barbecue by a mountain stream or a refreshing salad followed by a nap before leaving again. If there are less than 5 riders, lunch will be taken with you in saddle bags.
In the evening, everyone meets around the table to discover local food - or should we say "cuisine" - don't count on losing any weight.
Wine is included with lunch and dinner for the standard accommodations. Wine is not included with dinner for the luxury accommodations.
Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions with prior notice.
This trip
includes some wine with dinner
and
can accommodate special dietary requests.
|
Tack:
|
|
Western saddles with saddle bags
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Camargue horses
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate - with walk, trot and some canters, 3 to 5 riding hours per day
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
12
|
Max
80
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
200 lbs / 90 kg
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
1 riders
|
Max
4 riders
|
|
Riding Level
In order to make the most of the ride, we require riders to be at ease with walk, trot and canter, in outdoor riding.
Pace
This program includes 5 riding days depending on the option you choose. You will ride an average of 5 hours every day (about 2-3 hours in the morning and again 2-3 hours in the afternoon). The pace will vary according to the terrain.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passport Note
France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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A Taste of Provence
Tour Code:
IT-FRPV01
7 days /
6 nights
Dates :
Feb-Mar & Nov
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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