CATALAN MOUNTAIN AND BEACH TRAIL - SPAIN

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Diverse point to point trail crossing green hills and mountains reaching the beaches of the Mediterranean including 2 days of riding on the beach. Authentic, medieval town, accommodation in cosy natural stone houses, family-run farms and hotels.The wild beauty of Catalonia, Spain has always brought a lot of admirers. Around the midst of the 19th century the painters enjoyed the intense green of lawns and forests, the wild and beautiful coastline, the deep blue of the rivers and the sky as well as the reddish brown to black colours of the lava stones. The big contrasts in landscapes can also be seen in the variety of Catalan cuisine. With lots of care dishes are prepared including fish, game, vegetables and fruit. The noble wine of the cultivated area of the Empordá is too tempting not to try. Due to the interaction of mediterranean and mountain climate in this region, you will find ideal conditions for horse back riding in Spain the whole year round.

Trip length 7 days / 6 nights Ride only price 2009 - Low season £849; High season £955 Departure dates 2009: Low season - 15, 22 Feb; 1, 22, 29 Mar; 1, 22 Nov. High season - 19 Apr; 17, 31 May; 14 Jun; 30 Aug; 13, 20, 27 Sep. 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. Min age 12. 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 from Girona airport return, €80 from Barcelona airport return. Payable on site. Times as above. Flight guide London - Girona from £50 return with Ryanair, or fly to Barcelona. See below for flight info. Single supplement 2009 - Low season £169; High season £189

SAMPLE ITINERARY - CATALAN MOUNTAIN AND BEACH TRAIL

Day 1:
Arrival in Barcelona or Girona and short transfer (approximately 30 minutes from Girona) to our 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.  The unique light transforms the surroundings into a picturesque painting.  What a beautiful place to begin your holiday.

Day 2:
You will pass through deep stone oak and pine forests, leaving the village behind you, heading towards the mountains.  Deep in the forest, you will reach a waterfall with its natural basin.  This atmosphere reminds one of Costa Rica and is a pleasant place to have a picnic lunch.  In the afternoon, you will reach the little paradise of a friend, Bogi, who owns a house beautifully situated by the river.  The garden, which has a South American atmosphere gives both horse and rider a romantic setting to end their day.

Day 3:
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, you will find miles of sandy beaches where 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 the Playa Grande Hotel where you will rest for the evening (Depending on the season, the overnight stay can also be in a beautiful old mill from the 16th century).

Day 4: On a smooth trail which leads you through sand dunes and Mediterranean pine forests, you will reach the rough looking mountain of Montgri.  On top of the cliffs you have a magnificent view overlooking the endless sea.  To the west, you will discover the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees.  Seabirds glide with thermal winds over the coast and the lovely fragrance of rosemary, thyme and lavender are in the air as you sit down to have a “Cowboy´s Picnic”.  After lunch you will descend into the valley of the river Ter which flows into the bay of Pals. You ride to Peratallada, where the old town wall embraces the lovely natural stone houses, built into one another.  Mosaic paving stones of narrow streets show scratches of horse carriages from the old days. You will stay at the farmhouse Cal Aliu and close the day with a stroll through the village.

Day 5:
This morning you will ride through the highlights of the Catalan Coast villages and towns of Palau-Sator and Pals. You can enjoy the nice atmosphere of medieval scenery, which surrounds you. Stimulated, you will continue through the rice fields of the valley until you reach the coastal pine forests. With some nice gallops we will head for the beach hotel Picasso, where we will stay for the night. Before we enjoy Juan´s delicious food, we can have a refreshing swim in the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 6:
Today you will follow the river Ter, surrounded by river forests and along peaceful farmers´ villages such as Verges, Jafre and Colomers. The Empordan area is a finely swung, harmonic and rolling countryside, where paths run through the hilly landscape. The soil is soft and sandy as well, so you will ride quickly, changing from trot to gallop until you reach the farm of Mas Alba.  As this long lasting and exciting tour comes to an end you will relax at the pool and enjoy a wonderful farewell dinner.

Day 7: 
Transfer to Barcelona or Girona or extension for another trail.

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

NOTES - CATALAN MOUNTAIN AND BEACH 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, Spain 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 in front 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 decribed, guiding, luggage transfer, all meals and table wine and accommodation starting with dinner on day one and ending after breakfast on the last day.

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

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