Landes Ride & Relax

Landes France: (IT-FRAN06)
URL: https://www.hiddentrails.com/tour/france_landes_ride.aspx

Introduction
Landes France
A blend of cool breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, endless sandy beaches, lush forests, pearly lakes, cliffs and more await you during this incredible stationary ride.
 
This program is very flexible and allows you to discover the Landes on horseback with your friends and/or family.

When you are not riding, take advantage of our well-being activities: yoga, massage and sauna sessions can be booked for an extra fee to provide a relaxing experience.

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so you will be staying at the same location every night.

Description
You will be staying at the guesthouse beside the riding center. We can accommodate up to 17 people total.
Our guesthouse is divided into 3 buildings:
- the main guesthouse building has 4 bedrooms with ensuite facilities.
- the guesthouse's annex building has a big dormitory (capacity of 4-7 people) and 2 shared bathrooms
- the family guesthouse has 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom
The guesthouse has an outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi access. Laundry can be done for an extra fee.



It is possible to add yoga classes, a relaxing massage or a sauna session for an extra fee, paid locally (please inquire).

If we do not have enough space, riders will stay in a hotel in Mimizan Beach or at another guesthouse close to the riding center.

Room Occupancy
We charge a single supplement fee for solo travelers not willing to share a room with another rider.
If you would like to guarantee a double/ twin/ single room, additional costs apply.



Meals
This package includes half-board (breakfasts and dinners).

Breakfast is served at the guesthouse before we head out on our rides.
Dinners are served either at the guesthouse or at local restaurants. We try to offer as much variety to guests as possible.

You can choose to pay for lunches locally (about 28 euros) or you can upgrade to full board for an extra fee.

If you decide to book a full day ride, lunch will be included. For full day rides, comfortable lunches are provided by the Equestrian Center with shelter, table and chairs. Those lunches are served buffet-style, with aperitif and appetizer, different kind of salads, meat and veggies, French cheeses, dessert and drinks.

1/4 liter of wine or soda and coffee is provided during dinners. Other drinks need to be purchased locally.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice. Unfortunately, we cannot cater to vegan diets.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Horses 
We have 30 horses (mostly Anglo-Arabs) and 5 ponies. Most of them are born in our family farm.
Beauty, blood, intelligence, frankness, kindness, and generosity are the essential qualities we seek in the choice of our horses. Our horses are safe, brave and easygoing; well trained and very well-balanced. They horses live in herds in the outdoors. We take great care in providing horses with a good quality of life.

Staff
Guidance is guaranteed by qualified /certified equestrian guide of tourism (French professional certification: A.T.E., CQP ASA or BPJEPS Tourisme Équestre) having good regional knowledge and willing to let you discover the beauty of this area.

Children
Participants as young as 10 years old can join the ride as long as they are accompanied by an adult. From 15 years old, participants are welcome to join the ride non-accompanied. There are no discounts for children.

Itinerary


Because this program is so flexible, we can cater to all riding levels from Novice to Advanced riders:
- Less experienced riders may get a mix of lessons given in the arena and trail rides in the forest.
- Intermediate to Advanced riders can choose to go on 2-hour, half day or full day trail ride in the forest and on the beach. The rides will be faster-paced with many opportunities to canter.
In case we have riders of different riding levels, we can create 2 different riding groups.

Riders can choose between 2 options:
- 6 riding sessions of 2 hours each (12 hours total)
- 8 riding sessions of 2 hours each (16 hours total)
You can also choose to ride on half day tours of 4 hours (1 half-day tour = 2 sessions), or full day trails of 6 hours (1 full day tour = 3 sessions).

Average trail ride lengths:
- Forest (about 2 hours / 8-10 km)
- Forest & Beach (half-day ride / 15-20 km)
- Ride to Bias or Aureilhan Lake (dull day ride / 30-35 km)



Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival 
Pick-up from the Bordeaux Airport (at 4:00pm) or Bordeaux train station (at 5:00pm) and transfer to Mimizan. You should arrive at the guesthouse around 7:00pm. Dinner is at a restaurant (around 9:00pm).
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan


Day 2: Introduction
After breakfast, we have a small briefing about the program and a tour of the stables. We have our lunch break around noon.
At 2pm, you can go on your first riding session: a test ride to get to know your horse and make sure you are comfortable.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan


Day 3 - 7: Ride & Relax
You are free to arrange your days as you wish, either starting with a trail ride in the morning, allowing for some free time in the afternoon to discover the surroundings or take part in one of our wellness activities (extra fee), or the other way around.  
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Mimizan


Day 8: Departure
After breakfast transfer to Bordeaux airport or train station.
Meals included: Breakfast



Non-Riding activities - inquire for extra cost
- Tennis
- Bicycle
- Swimming pool
- Numerous water sports 
- Yoga
- Wellness (sauna & massage)


Rates and Dates for Landes Ride & Relax

Rates include:

Accommodation in shared rooms (3-4 riders per room), Half-board (including 1/4 litre of wine or soda and coffee is provided during dinners) & 12 or 16 riding hours
The riding center provides helmet, sticks and chaps on request

Packages and Options




* prices are per person based on double/twin occupancy

Transfer and Other Charges:



 DescriptionEUR~US$
2021 Transfer from Bordeaux airport or train station (return, pp)
- to be paid locally
90 $105
2021 Pick-from from Morcenx train station on Day 2 (1 pax)
- to be paid locally
35 $40
2021 Pick-from from Morcenx train station on Day 2 (2+ pax), per car
This is a "Group Rate" - to be paid locally
20 $25
2021 Extra nights - please inquire 0 $0
2021 Private lessons for the week 200 $240
2021 Full board supplement 170 $100

Season Seasons  Min / MaxReserve
E 2021 01/01 - 03/31 8d / 7n 8 day trip with 16 hours of ... 2 /8 Reserve
F 2021 01/01 - 03/31 8d / 7n 8 day trip with 12 hours of ... 2 /8 Reserve
D 2021 04/01 - 06/30 8d / 7n 8 day trip with 12 hours of ... 2 /8 Reserve
C 2021 04/01 - 06/30 8d / 7n 8 day trip with 16 hours of ... 2 /8 Reserve
A 2021 07/01 - 08/31 8d / 7n 8 day trip with 16 hours of ... 2 /8 Reserve
B 2021 07/01 - 08/31 8d / 7n 8 day trip with 12 hours of ... 2 /8 Reserve
C 2021 09/01 - 10/31 8d / 7n 8 day trip with 16 hours of ... 2 /8 Reserve
D 2021 09/01 - 10/31 8d / 7n 8 day trip with 12 hours of ... 2 /8 Reserve
E 2021 11/01 - 12/31 8d / 7n 8 day trip with 16 hours of ... 2 /8 Reserve
F 2021 11/01 - 12/31 8d / 7n 8 day trip with 12 hours of ... 2 /8 Reserve

Dates Note: It might be possible to arrange a shorter stay with a minimum of 3 nights.

Rates do not include:

Lunches, Extra drinks, Gratuities & Transfers from/to Bordeaux or Morcenx

Other Info
Meeting: Mimizan
Airport: Bordeaux
Transfer: Bordeaux airport

Climate:
                                            Mont-de-Marsan area


Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Average High Temperature (°F)

11

13

16

18

22

25

28

28

25

20

14

11

Average Low Temperature (°F)

1

2

4

6

10

13

15

15

11

8

4

2

Average High Temperature (°C)

51

55

61

65

71

78

82

82

77

68

58

52

Average Low Temperature (°C)

34

35

39

42

49

55

59

58

52

47

40

36

Average Precipitation (days of rain)

11

9

9

10

10

7

6

6

6

9

10

10

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The Landes climate could be classified as oceanic-temperate, with moderate temperatures in both winter and summer. There are on average 2,000 hours of sunshine per annum. The nearby Atlantic Ocean has a major effect on the difference between day and night temperatures. You should be expecting cool nights, even in the summertime.

The best time to visit is between April and October, excluding the months of July and August which can get very crowded and hot. June is a very good time to visit, while September and October are also good months to visit. Winters tend to be wet and mild.

What To Bring:

This list is only a guideline for you

 

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

 

RIDING GEAR

Comfortable riding jeans or jodphurs

Riding boots (short) + Minichaps

Riding helmet  (recommended for all trips)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Lightweight Rain coat

 

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

 

 

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Sleeping bag (July and August only)

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Flashlight

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra films and batteries

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm  


Sheets and towels are provided at the guesthouse. The riding center provides saddle bags.

During your stay, you will have several occasions to swim so please, keep your swimming clothes in your saddle bag!