SARDINIA MOUNTAIN TO SEA TRAIL - ITALY

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This trail takes you through the Montiferru mountains, along old shepherds paths through to the crystal clear coastal waters of the Mediterranean where you will have the chance to splash in the surf and swim with your horse.

The horses are exceptional, Anglo Arab and Sardinian bred, well schooled and forward going. Your hosts are also instructors so if you'd like to work on your dressage or show jumping on accomplished horses in their beautiful menage this can be arranged too.

This is a point to point trail however each afternoon you will be taken back to your base, a family ran country retreat in the heart of ancient woodland. The luxurious converted farmhouse accommodation is tastefully decorated using local materials. Have a dip in the pool or just relax with a cold drink and enjoy the ambience of this exclusive little hide-away.

Your hosts are an old Sardinian family that have been working with horses for hundreds of years, breeding top class show jumpers that have competed to international level. Some of these high flyers return to the estate to become trail horses and schoolmasters.

The family and staff have a deep understanding of the landscape and an expert knowledge of the local flora and fauna. You will find yourself immersed into the local culture and experience true Sardinia.

Another highlight of this trip is the cuisine, mostly locally produced and organic and always delicious and typical.

DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS OF FOUR OR MORE. PLEASE ENQUIRE. A 10% DISCOUNT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR RETURNING CLIENTS.

Trip length 8d/7n/6d riding Ride price detailed prices price promise From: 2012: double pp £1,069/€1,349/$1,835 Departure dates 2012 confirmed departures: 5, 19, 26 (FULL) May; 2 (FULL), 9 (FULL) June; 21, 28 July; 11 August; 8, 15, 29 (FULL) September Other dates available on request for groups of two or more. Approximate riding time per day From 3 hours per day Riding ability required Confident in walk, trot and canter. Group size 2-8 Meeting point (getting there) Alghero (AHO), Olbia (OLB) or Cagliari (CAG) Airport Transfer From Alghero to the hotel 100 Euro per car each way. From Olbia to the hotel 110 Euro per car each way. Flight guide RyanAir fly to Alghero from Stansted and Liverpool EasyJet fly to Olbia from Gatwick. Flights start from around £75 return.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - SARDINIA MOUNTAIN TO SEA TRAIL

Day 1:
Arrival in the afternoon. Relax in your comfortable room, enjoy a swim or have a drink before dinner which is served each day between 8-8:30 pm. You will have the opportunity to talk over the details of the trail with your hosts and meet the other riders.

Day 2:
Breakfast is served between 8:30 and 10:00 am. After this you will meet the horses and have a ride in the local area to see how you get on with your new horse. After lunch on the estate you can relax in the comfortable grounds, another swim or perhaps a walk or bike ride to explore the area. Dinner is served around 8.00pm.

Day 3:
After breakfast you will leave the hotel and set of on the first day of the trail - heading to the mountains. The ride to the base of the Monte Ferru mountain and the historical village of Santa Lussurgiu will take around three hours, trailing along old shepherds paths watched carefully by the local donkeys, pigs and sheep and passing through the shade of the cork oak forests. The horses will be left at the end of your ride and you will return to the hotel where lunch will be served. Afternoon at leisure. Another delicious dinner is served around 8.00 pm

Day 4:
After breakfast you will be driven back to the horses which have been left grazing overnight. You will leave Santa Lussurgiu and climb once more towards the Monte Ferru, passing through the village of San Leonardo - famous for its fountains. The landscape changes, huge stones and rocks and pure isolation give this area a lunar quality and eventually you will find yourself at 1100 metres - looking west to the breathtaking coastline of western Sardinia. The flora consists mainly of mediterranean mountainous species along with rare shrubs and grasses whereas the fauna, quite rich, includes some remarkable specimens, mouflon, boar, Sardinian wild cat, marten, weasel and fox. The climax of todays four hour ride takes you over the mountain and down 800 metres to Mount Seneghe where the horses spend the night.

You will be driven back to the hotel by jeep. On your return lunch is served and once again you can relax and enjoy the lovely grounds and facilities. Dinner is served around 8.00 pm.

Day 5:
After breakfast you will leave the hotel by jeep and find your horse stabled in the mountains. If you would like, you can help to get your horse ready, you then and leave Mount Seneghe and head towards the sea. You will ride from a height of 800 metres down to 50 metres, the vegetation changing once again, becoming humid and lush, and you ride through the mysterious forests populated by many different species of trees. After a ride of approximately two hours you stop for a sandwich in the shade before descending once again through the meadows and Mediterrannean Macchia, typical of Sardinia, to Ranch Catzeddu.

Again, you will leave your horses and return to the hotel by jeep for lunch and relaxation in the sunshine before dinner.

Day 6:
After breakfast you will be driven back to your horse at Ranch Catzeddu. Today we ride on the beach! The smell of the salty water and the sight of the crystal waters lures you through the narrow stony paths and big open meadows and finally you will arrive on Is Arenas beach, all 8 km stretching out before you! The horses love to splash in the water or go for a swim if the water is warm enough and everyone loves a good canter along the sand and in the surf. Todays three and a half hour ride culminates at Sa Rocca Tunda where the horses stop for the night and the riders can enjoy a swim in the sea before heading back to the hotel for lunch, relaxation and dinner.

Day 7:
After breakfast you go by Jeep to the stables by the sea, to prepare the horses for the final days ride of approximately four and a half hours. The landscape will be totally different from yesterday. You will discover the protected area of the half island of Sinis, passing woods of pine, enjoy a canter through fields surrounded by wild flowers, scale steep cliffs with your horse to enjoy a fantastic view of the emerald-green water beyond us. Finally you will reach the famous “rice corn beach” of “Maimoni”, which is covered with glittering white quartz sand - together with the intense blue of the seawater it is really a blaze of colour!

Horses and riders alike are transferred by road to the hotel. Today is your final night on the estate, a night to enjoy each others company for the last time and drink a toast to the horses that have accompanied you on this wonderful trail ride.

Day 8:
Breakfast and time to say goodbye.

Please note that this itinerary is intended as a guideline only and is subject to the prevailing conditions at the time.

NOTES - SARDINIA MOUNTAIN TO SEA TRAIL

Car hire is strongly recommended on this trip should you want to use your spare time to get out and about and explore the island.

There are four en suite standard rooms located in the main building each with double bed which can accommodate a maximum of 2 people. There are eight superior suites in the garden with bedroom (twin or double), private bathroom with a jacuzzi shower and own living room where it is possible to place a third and fourth bed. 

Please enquire for prices if you would like a garden suite for 3 or 4 people as there is a reduction in the price.

All rooms are decorated to a very high standard utilising local stone and materials to provide a truly luxurious stay. There is an onsite solar heated swimming pool. There is also a beauty salon available nearby where you can have a massage, pedicure or facial.

The weight limit for this ride is 19 st/264 lb/120 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
The trip price includes all meals, welcome and goodbye drink, en suite accommodation, all riding as per the itinerary, tack, qualified English speaking guide and tuition if required, services and taxes.
For price details click here

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights, transfers, alchohol with meals. Guests should bring a small quantity of Euros for personal expenditure or extra drinks from the bar outside meal times. Tipping is not expected but welcome should you feel the service has been excellent.

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Reading List
We're avid readers here at Unicorn Trails and have selected several books connected to this ride. If you're interested in reading more about the area before you travel, or want to get into the cultural background, here are some suggestions that may inspire you. Click on the links for more information.

A Room with a View - E.M Forster
A Traveller in Italy - HV Morton
and anything by Italo Calvino.

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