Gallop through surf on unspoilt sandy beaches, ride through old villages, passing Romanesque churches on this fast exhilarating point to point riding trail. We begin by climbing high up into the peaks of the Alta Garrotxa, up a narrow gorge of sculptured rock with glistening waterfalls, through a valley to the Bassegodas pass at 3,000ft leaving all signs of civilisation behind.
Uncover hidden gems of accommodation throughout this trail ranging from an 11th century stone farm house to a modernist Spa Hotel, a haven of peace and tranquillity and a wonderful treat for tired muscles.
Cantering onwards through cork oak forests to discover the river of Muga and the breathtaking Lake Boadella, the undulating planes of the Ampurdán region await, fringed by the long curve of the Bay of Roses, kilometers of beach! From here you can see the white water of the waves where you will experience the gallop of your life in the surf.
Returning to the mountains through the plains of Ampurdan, every hour passes, with beautiful villages, castles, churches including Castellon de Ampurias a lively cathedral town. Experience the Culture and Beach trail for a truly unforgettable journey.
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise:
Low season 2012: £139/€165/$225
Special offer 2012: £139/€165/$225
SAMPLE ITINERARY - CATALAN CULTURE & BEACH TRAIL
DAY 1: ARRIVAL
In the evening upon your arrival in the town of Sant Jaume de Llierca you will be driven up a winding track to an 11th century Farmhouse perched high up on a ridge overlooking the Pyrenees. Here you will meet the family, your guide and the team. After dinner you will be given an introduction to the weeks programme with an opportunity for a one to one conversation designed to find every rider their perfect horse.
Finally you will discover how to play the ‘Champagne rules’, which is anyone found guilty of holding up the ride at any point having to buy a bottle of local cava for the group that evening, making for lively dinners!
DAY 2: LEAVING THE MOUNTAINS (The Journey begins)
Today we saddle up and ride out through the mountains, during the morning we pass through the scented oak forests above beautiful ravines that so characterise this mountainous region known as the Garrotxa. After lunch on the banks of the river Fluvia, we continue through scenery of rolling hills and pine forests dotted with interesting little villages with Romanesque churches. This region is steeped in history. By now the stamina and agility of the Andalucian horses starts to become evident.
In the evening a delicious supper awaits us, you will taste the fine regional cooking, prepared by our hosts Miquel and Magalie of Mas Torrent a charming rural Inn.
DAY 3: MILES (into the Empurdan)
Today is a long day in the saddle, with lots of long canters and gallops through the lower Ampurdán pine forests.
Every hour we pass another beautiful village, castles, churches, arches, tunnels, old wooden doors with wrought iron knockers, the beauty of the stonework of the past.
As the afternoon draws on you can sense the proximity to the coast and at last we arrive at the Mediterranean, the beautiful gulf of Rosas stretches before us. Our hotel for the night is right on the beach.
DAY 4: VAMOS A LA PLAYA !!! and the DALI theater museum
After an early start we trot our horses 1 km down to the beach. The long curve of the bay of Rosas stretches before us, kilometres of golden sand. Here we enjoy some excellent canters and gallops on the beach.
After the beach ride we head inland again following the river Fluviá, past a bird sanctuary where we can see flocks of migrating birds. The terrain is flat with lots of peach, pears, and apple orchards. The pace today is lively. By lunchtime we arrive at our destination. From here you can easily go down to the beach and enjoy a swim, or you can go to Figueres to visit the famous Dali-museum, explore Castellon d´Empurias and do some shopping. Castellon d´Empurias is a lively cathedral town where we can enjoy some excellent tapas and cold drinks on one of the nice terraces and the local nightlife.
DAY 5: BOADELLA
After an excellent breakfast on the magnificent roof-top terrace of the hotel over-looking the cathedral with the Mediterranean on one side and the gentle curve of the Pyrenees on the other, we saddle up again to continue our journey back to the mountains.
Today the riding is spectacular, once more a lively pace as we trot and canter out across the planes, through fields, meadows, and Mediterranean woodland rife with the scents of wild herbs and flowers.
In the afternoon we ride through olive groves and vineyards and past the lake of Boadella, on the edge of which we find our accommodation for the night. “La central” is an art nouveau palace of blue ceramic tiled towers, a haven of peace and tranquillity, a exclusive Spa Hotel, renowned for its delicious cuisine Hydro massage pool and relaxing saunas, which are very welcoming after 4 days in the saddle.
DAY 6: BACK INTO THE MOUNTAINS
The morning starts with a long ascent back up to the craggy peaks of the Alta Garrotxa. This is a region of cork, oak forests where the Rioja region comes to buy its wine corks. Once again we are in a different type of countryside, a beautiful mountain wilderness. We lead our horses along a winding forest track before a glorious picnic
with a view over the varied and beautiful landscape that we have ridden through. By evening we arrive in the enchanted valley of Riu, a paradise of mountain meadows surrounded by craggy peaks, where the goat herds are watched over by hungry vultures and eagles. Here we stable the horses for the night, and go back to the farm for another delicious supper.
DAY 7: HEADING BACK TO BASE
Back to the horses again by car. From here the view is spectacular, majestic peaks all around on every horizon. The morning is spent winding our way down into the gorge of Sadernas, above a gushing mountain river of crystalline water that has carved out splendid forms in the rock.
Lunch is wonderful, a picnic by a Romanesque bridge that spans a huge rockpool, a swim before lunch is a must.
In the afternoon we are down on the flood plains which we cross at a lively pace to climb once more back up to the heights and our base where a warm welcome and a delicious supper awaits us. After six days of riding and adventure we toast to the horse and our new found friends, and to life.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before your departure. Adios amigos!
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
NOTES - CATALAN CULTURE & BEACH TRAIL
Special taxi transfers can be arranged and paid on site if you are not catching the group transfer. In 2012 from Girona airport (one way per vehicle) €100. From Barcelona airport (one way per vehicle) €230.
We think our hosts in Catalonia are some of the best in the business! They have been operating for 2 generations and are supremely professional. They offer a range of rides and in the unusual event of a ride not confirming ie. there are 3 or less riders, an alternative rail or based ride will be offered and the difference in price refunded so you can book your flights with confidence.
On this horse riding holiday, you will need to dismount and walk next to your horse over short distances so good walking boots are required.
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
All accommodation, riding and meals as per the itinerary. Transfers at set times. A reasonable amount of alchohol with meals when at the farmhouse.
For price details click here
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights, drinks outside of mealtimes and at other locations en-route, items of a personal nature, tips and gratuities.
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What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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