News from Unicorn Trails
WHAT'S NEW AT UNICORN TRAILS
Browse through some of our news here, see what new horse riding holidays we've added lately, news from the Unicorn Trails office team, news from the tour in
far outposts of the world, and news from recent guest trips.
THE WORLD RIDE DNA APPEAL
No one has ever gone all the way around the world on horseback and Basha and Chuchullaine O’Reilly plan to be the first. They are superbly qualified to take on the journey: founders of the Long Riders Guild, they have both individually ridden through some of the most challenging parts of the world. Basha rode her Cossack stallion Pompeii from Russia to England, and Chuchullaine has a history of incredible adventure. In the eighties he fought with the Mujahadeen against the Soviets in Afghanistan, and he has ridden all over Pakistan and Afghanistan. Between them they have several different languages and a lot of experience.
Their planned route follows what Chuchullaine has called the “equine equator”, a wide belt of grasslands where horses are thought to have evolved and prospered. They will start at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, pass through Western Europe and into Russia the ex Soviet republics of Central Asia. They will fly to Canada, cross Canada, fly to Scotland, ride south through the British Isles and finally back to Paris. They want their ride to be more than just an incredible adventure. They are planning several projects along the way to give something back to the many people and horses who have helped them over the years.
 That is why they have started the World Ride DNA Project. They are planning to collect DNA samples from every breed of horse they encounter on their travels. And this is where you come in. They obviously can’t collect horse DNA from all the world’s breeds, so they have launched a world wide appeal for horse DNA samples.They want tail or mane hair samples as well as photos of each horse and owner. So if you think you know of a horse breed that is missing from their list, or you have access to a rare breed of horse, contact Team Equus. Led by the incredible Andi Mills, grandmother of five and Long Rider herself, Team Equus is the international band of volunteers who are collecting and storing samples. Why collect all these DNA samples? The O’Reillys have recruited two world renowned equine DNA experts to help coordinate the scientific study of the DNA collected: Dr Matthew Binns (Royal Veterinary College of London) and Dr Gus Cothran, of Texas A & M University.
Dr Binns believes the samples will be useful in two ways. Firstly, differing degrees of genetic variation will show how closely horse breeds are related and thus give us information on horse domestication and the  subsequent spread of the horse through the civilized world – and thus on human history. Secondly, it will help in conservation of endangered horse breeds. Breeds with low genetic variability (a small gene pool) are more at risk. Knowing about their genes helps us to develop management plans for at risk populations. Some breeds are more prone to developing certain diseases than others, and if we can isolate the genes involved it may help to developing new treatments and vaccines, as well as allowing us to breed out some of the more negative traits. If you would like to be a part of this historical project, check out www.theworldride.org.
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Late availability with easy flights
While some of our rides are sold out, there are still some great ones available. Browse the selection below for some with availability as of 2 June 2009 and easy high frequency flights.
Spain, Andalucia Mountain Retreat - fly to Malaga for this relaxing getaway, all abilities.
USA, Colorado Rocky Mountain Ranch - fly to Denver and ride through the stunning countryside from this wonderful ranch, some late availability still available this year. For all riding abilities.
Hungary, Somogy Nature Trail - riding at its fastest in Eastern Europe for good riders. Fly Easyjet to Budapest.
Morocco, Essaouira Beach Trail - a welcome relief from the heat of the plains and desert of Morocco, fly to Marrakech. intermediate riders onwards.
Morocco, Central Atlas Summer - another easy flight to Marrakech, Morocco and experience the adventure of camping in the High Atlas.
Spain, Paths of the Herdsmen -
Fly to Barcelona and ride a mountain trail along ancient routes on fit and forward-going horses - intermediate riders onwards.
Spain, Sweet and Salt Water Trail - Again from Barcelona - enjoy the chance to swim with your horse at every opportunity ! For intermediate riders onwards.
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Unicorn Trails Guarantees Price on booking!
 The drop in the value of the pound has been widely reported. In 2009, Unicorn Trails guarantees the price of a holiday on booking. After enjoying an extended period of very strong values, the pound dropped against almost all key currencies by a considerable amount in the course of 2008. Since the start of the year the value of one pound has dropped by 25% against the Euro (graph right) and, by 30% against the US dollar (graph below).
The problem for holidaymakers is firstly that spending money is a lot less than than last year. When changing money there is a noticeably smaller amount. Everything abroad has become more expensive.
However along with this the cost of the holiday has also gone up. As tour operators usually sell holidays in pounds, but pay the suppliers of the services abroad in other currencies such as Euros and US Dollars, the prices of holidays are more than last year.
 When a currency drops as quickly and steeply as the pound has, tour operators can invoke something known as “supplementary invoices” or “surcharge invoices”. Notice of these charges are usually happily relegated to the small print and are not needed under normal circumstances. However in extraordinary circumstances such as the present financial turmoil you may receive one if you have booked a holiday more than a month ago, even if you have paid in full. The good news is that, in 2009 once a holiday has been booked with Unicorn Trails the price is guaranteed and supplementary invoices will not be issued.
What can you do to ensure you get the best value this year?
- Guarantee the price - if you book a holiday with Unicorn Trails in 2009 we guarantee the price and will not surcharge in the event of exchange rate movements. The normal deposit is payable and the balance of you holiday is due 10 weeks before departure as per normal. Sometimes flights need to be paid earlier or occasionally special offers require payment in full at the time of booking.
- Book early to make sure you receive todays price. This way if the exchange rate deteriorates you have locked the price in!
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RECESSION BUSTING RIDING HOLIDAYS
In January 09, as the the pound hits ever lower lows against the Euro and the US Dollar, the recession is becoming reality to many people as they look to book their annual holiday. Here we've listed 9 of our best value rides - easy to get to, good quality and affordable even at today's record prices.
- Hungary - Balaton Meadows
A comfortable and well run country house hotel with an on site riding centre that caters to all levels of rider. Beautiful rides through meadows and with some memorable stops at wineries en route. Full board Beginner Programmes £519, Relaxed Programme £559 for a week away. Only a Ryanair flight away.
- Romania - Transylvania Week
If you've ever wanted to see what life was like in Eastern Europe before it disappears now is the time to go. Lipizzaner horses, modest accommodation, great riding and very welcoming hosts who are super chefs. Full board, this is a bargain at £795
- Poland - Baltic Coast Ride
A comfortable hotel with many facilities including and on site spa and riding centre that can cater to all levels of rider. Riding in the woods or to the coast for more experienced riders. Again there are some amazing bargains to be had with Ryanair to Szcesin and Gdansk and the full board week costs only £685 outside peak season.
- Portugal - Western Style Algarve
Amazing value riding holiday on the sunny Algarve. Bag a bargain flight to Faro and enjoy a week's western riding for only £625 full board.
- Greece - Beginner Riding Week
Learn to ride in the sunshine. Accommodation is in a beautiful hotel with endless views, empathetic instruction on kind horses and hosts who can't seem to do enough for you. This half board week is a bargain at £549 and can be tailor made to your requirements too.
- Morocco - Central Atlas Summer
Explore the High Atlas on magnificent ArabX Barb horses in this vehicle supported camping trip for intermediate riders onwards. With Easy Jet now flying to Marrakesh, this is a peak season bargain at £865 for the week full board.
- Turkey - Cappadocia Camping Trail
A very different destination riding through the contorted rock fomrations of Cappadocia, surrounded by history and speeding along on your Arab X horses. Our recession tip is to bag a bargain flight to Istabul and take the overnight bus to Kayseri. With the ride costing only £709 for the week full board
this is tough to beat.
- South Africa - Zululand Private Reserve
A 5 star luxury lodge set in a private reserve with wonderful riding for only £1,125 sounds almost too good to be true. Book before July and
this is all you pay for full board including transfers from Johannesburg. There are some real bargains to Johannesburg at the moment from some of the European airlines, so if you've always wanted to treat yourself to a safari you can still do so.
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BBC EXCESS BAGGAGE EQUESTRIAN TRAVEL
 For
centuries, before the arrival of the motor car, the main means of individual
travel over any significant distance was on horseback. Nowadays there
are plenty of people who like nothing better than to saddle up and ride
on their holiday from pony trekking to equestrian exploring. Sandi Toksvig
talks to three keen riders who have travelled thousands of miles across
all the continents.
Travel writers Christina Dodwell, Robin Hanbury-Tenison and equestrian
holiday organiser Wendy Hoftsee are all members of a club called the Long
Riders' Guild. They recount tales of nights under the stars, robbers,
horses rescued from the knacker's yard and discuss the bonds they've formed
with the animals that have carried them on their backs. Click to listen
Presented by Sandi Toksvig
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Eastern Europe
 Eastern
Europe is the next hot place to visit. The countries out there are fast
adapting to the western values, but particularly in the countryside retain
an almost medieval way of working the land and a very distinct culture.
This is a startling contrast. Many of these countries have recently joined
the European Union and are easily accessible by many low cost airlines.
In general these areas are far more rural and less mechanized. They rely
on horses to do regular work and even for transport in rural areas. Consequently
almost everyone has some knowledge of horses, much like the UK 100 years
ago. The countryside is also very horse friendly, with minimal fences,
fields criss crossed with tracks and paths suitable for horses and an
acceptance of horses a a means of transport. No problem then to find a
pub that has a place to tie your horse, or a B&B with stables or a
field. Horses also provide a handy conversation topic with locals. Talk
of a nice sized horse that is a "good doer" or a good farrier
is as common as a motoring conversation in England.
On the cultural side there are two aspects to Eastern European countries.
One is the post Soviet culture. Behind the iron curtain there was a the
completely different world of communism and collective farms. The legacies
are still clearly seen and a hot topic of conversation with the locals.
On top of this many countries are now rediscovering national identities
long suppressed by Soviet culture and revelling in expressing them. National
dress, food and traditions are more strongly supported than ever. This
makes for a fascinating mix.
 Post
Soviet cultures did not have many consumer items and goods and their economies
were not as monitized as ours. Consequently goods and services tend to
cost a lot less out there. This era of cheap travel in Eastern Europe
won't last forever. As these countries integrate their economies into
the EEC prices will rise and eventually largely equalize. Since joining
the EEC, the labour markets have opened up and hundreds of thousands of
young Eastern Europeans come to Western Europe to seek well paid jobs.
These jobs are only well paid by their standards, by regular UK standards
they offer an excellent hard working, well educated service at low rates.
Most send their money home and after a few years go back, buy or build
a nice house and start their own businesses, raising standards and prices
in the process.
This mutual fascination is a two way exchange. The increasing numbers
of Eastern Europeans coming to the UK not only work hard and earn money
to improve their lives back home. They also take back with them a taste
for UK culture - music, clothes and consumer lifestyles. While all this
accelerates the rate of economic development in these countries, it also
heralds the decline of the traditional lifestyles and dilutes cultural
differences and increases costs. Given this, it makes sense to visit these
fascinating places now while they are still very different, easily accessible
and low cost.
See our riding holidays in Hungary, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia and keep an eye
out for new additions such as Russia.
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New Book about Horseback Travel in Ecuador
 The
book is called "Why Walk When You Can Ride - How to Find and lose
a horse in Ecuador" and is written by Tania Krupitza, a vet from
New Zealand. While in England on her usual antipodean tour she met up
with two other friends who were both enthusiastic riders became seduced
by grandiose visions of explorers from times gone by. They decided to
buy horses and ride them through Ecuador. Despite a queue of charming
Ecuadorian gentlemen eager to help, they ended up with one horse that
looked like a mule, one that liked to go backwards instead of forwards
and one that turned out to be Houdini reincarnated.
Determined to prove that girls can do anything, they decline offers of
machetes and bodyguards and set off. They slogged through rivers of mud
and soaked in steaming hot pools in lost Indian villages. They saw sunrise
over snow capped volcanoes and galloped over vast plains at 4000 meters
above sea level. They met lonesome cowboys, Colombian hippies and ferocious
patriarchs.
They discovered how difficult it is to find horses in Ecuador and how
easy it is to loose them.
To order this book please contact the author Tania Krupitza on taniakru@xtra.co.nz.
To discover for yourselves what riding in the Andes is like, see our new
rides in Ecuador.
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Unicorn Trails
17, Acorn Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 ORA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1767 600606 Fax: +44 (0)1767 312555
Office hours 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday
Email: enquiries@unicorntrails.com
http://www.unicorntrails.com
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