CATALAN CASTLE TO COAST TRAIL - SPAIN

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This is a one way trail, a horse riding holiday in Spain taking you from the mountainous interior to the coast with luggage transfer every day, comfortable and luxurious accommodation and diverse landscape. We start in the wealthy and varied landscape of Catalonia with its castles and rice fields and follow the trails of Spanish vineyards to the sandy beaches and bays of the wild coast. Along the way we enjoy wine and cava tasting, delicious Catalan cuisine, and swimming with horses. 2700 years ago the Greeks built commercial colonies along the Mediterranean coast. With the arrival of the Greeks, wine came to this region, which they called God's nectar. The Empordán developed out of this Greek emporium. The far reaching valley therefore belongs to one of the oldest and most important vineyard regions of Spain. The wild coast of Cap de Creus builds a big contrast to the enormous valley of Empordán. We are delighted to include this ride in our selection of riding holidays in Spain. 

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights Ride only price 2009: Low season £1,039, High season £1,145 Departure dates 2009: Low season - 8, 15, 29 Mar; 1 Nov. High season -12 Apr; 3, 24 May; 5 Jul; 13 Sep, 11 Oct. Approximate riding time per day approximately 4- 7 hours in the saddle daily Riding ability required Must be able to walk, trot and canter confidently and mount and dismount unaided. Group size 2 to 8 Meeting point (getting there) Barcelona airport at 17:00 (arrival up to 16:00) and departure flight from 2:30pm. Girona airport at 18:30 (arrival up to 18:00) and departure flight from 1pm. Transfer 2009: €40 return from Girona or €80 from Barcelona Flight guide London - Girona from £50 return with Ryanair, or fly to Barcelona. See below for flight info. Single supplement 2009 - Low season - £209 High season - £229

SAMPLE ITINERARY - CATALAN CASTLE TO COAST TRAIL

DAY 1:
Arrival at Barcelona or Girona in southern Spain and transfer to the coastal village of  Port de la Selva. The evening sun illuminates the beautiful silhouette of white painted  fishermen`s cottages. Dinner together with seaview, overnight stay in the luxurious hotel Porto Christo. A great place in which to start your horse riding holiday.

DAY 2:
You will climb through the coastal mountains of Rodas, which are the last foothills of the Pyrenees. On top of the pass you will have a spectacular panoramic view over the bay of Rosas and the fertile and mild Plateaux of  the Alt Emporda. This valley will remind you of an amphitheatre surrounded by mountains, which ends in the Mediteranean sea. Here among this splendid garden of overwhelming beauty you will take a break above a small lake. In the little town of Garriguella you will spend the night at the farm of Emilia. She is well known for her delicious Mediterranean cuisine.

DAY 3:
Trotting and cantering into the valley of Empordá, you will spot the first vineyards. On the riverside of the Orlina river you will enjoy many different flowers. Your horse passes through the wild landscape towards the village of Espolla. You will see very old olive plantations and cork oak forests, and vineyards dot the landscape. In the castle of the village you will stay at a beautiful place with a family atmosphere. Here you can taste the local honey and the olive oil.

DAY 4:  
Deeper and deeper you ride into the nature park of Albera. The unique light transforms the surroundings into a picturesque painting. The mountains are covered with cork oaks forests and a little further up beech, oak and chestnut forests cast some shadows.  After a delicious picnic lunch you will ride to Perelada, the center of wine growing. In the afternoon you can visit the enormous castle and the private library of the monastery. In the castle’s wine cellars you will be impressed of the quality of the wine and cava. You will stay overnight in the village at a beautiful renovated farm house owned by Fina and Pere.

DAY 5:
Changing between walking, trotting and cantering, you will cross the sunflower and corn fields until you reach the medieval town of Castello with its magnificent cathedral. After the town your horse will carry you speedily through the rice fields and the moors of Aiguamolls to the old  Catalan farmer´s house of Marta and Juan. In their lovely garden you can  relax or refresh yourself at the pool.

DAY 6: 
Vamos a la playa!  You will follow the river Fluvia on its way to the sea where you will have a magnificent view of the Gulf of Rosas.  In front of you will lay miles of sandy beaches as the water splashes, the sand leaps and you gallop into the sunrise.  The horses play with the waves and you try not to get too wet.  At the end of the bay, directly on the beach is your hotel  where you will rest for the evening. For dinner, the „Mama of the hotel“  will prepare Spanish tapas and a delicious paella.

DAY 7:
Surrounded by deep pine forests and along peaceful farm village paths you will ride through the hilly landscape of the Emporda region. A quietness surrounds you as you ride through the narrow streets of the Catalan natural stone villages hearing the clapping of the horses hooves. You will stop at a local bar for the picnic lunch. Manoli prepares magnificant Catalan nudles. In the afternoon you will gallop towards our home base - a typical Catalan natural stone house dating from the 14th century. Since then, this wonderful farm has been run by the same family.  From here you overlook green meadows, forests and horse pastures. What a beautiful place to end your holiday with a wonderful farewell dinner.

DAY 8:  
Transfer to Barcelona or Girona. Or, extension for another trail.

Important: Depending of the time of the year and national holidays the trail can be ridden in both directions!

NOTES - CATALAN CASTLE TO COAST TRAIL

During this riding holiday, you will need to dismount and walk next to your horse over short distances so good walking boots are required.

Transfers:
It is also possible to be collected from Barcelona city at 5:30pm. The Meeting Point is the taxi stand at the Statue of Columbus (end of 'The Rambla' at the 'Port Vell').
Another alternative is to get the train to Girona where there is a transfer at 6:45pm. The Meeting Point is infront of the taxi stand outside the exit in the direction of the city.

GETTING TO the Ride

As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flights page for some options.

The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 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 price includes all riding as described, guiding, luggage transfer, all meals and accommodation starting with dinner on day one and ending after breakfast on the last day, table wine.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Items of a personal nature, alcoholic and soft drinks, flights to and from Barcelona, transfers from either Girona or Barcelona airport. The return transfer is payable on site.

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