FOREST AND BEACH, ANDALUSIA - SPAIN

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A traditional finca, run by an English family, situated at a small coastal village between Barbate and Conil in Southern Spain, close to some of the most beautiful unspoilt beaches in Europe. Here you will stay in comfortable twin bedded rooms facing on to the beautiful gardens and swimming pool. Rides are led by experienced English escorts and the emphasis is on safe riding and the horses well-being while having fun and enjoying the beaches and natural forests of the area of Spain. The horses are Andalucian with English tack some bred and trained by the riding centre during the last 15 years, providing a good choice of ride from the steady older favourite who have been there for several years to the younger fizzier types. All the horses enjoy the work and are forward going. On this horse riding holiday in Spain, riders are of all ages and many come on their own, quickly feeling welcome in the small informal groups.

Trip length 7 nights / 5 days riding + excursion to Jerez Ride only price 2008: 1,8,15,22,29 Nov, 6,13 Dec £589Non riders £395 2009: £649 - £819 depending on season (see table below). Non riders £419 Departure dates All year round usually Saturday to Saturday but flexible by arrangement. Approximate riding time per day 4 hours per day Riding ability required Comfortable at all paces. Min age 14. Group size 2 to 6 Meeting point (getting there) Jerez or Gibraltar airport Transfer Included on flights arriving in the morning to Jerez2008: Otherwise €25 each way day transfer, €80 each way night transferGibraltar transfers available £30p.p. each way2009: Return transfer from Gibraltar and Jerez Airports €80 payable on site. Flight guide London Stanstead - Jerez return from £50 with Ryanair. Or fly to Gibraltar or Malaga. See below for flight info. Single supplement None if willing to share. Otherwise £105 in 2008 and £109 in 2009.

SAMPLE ITINERARY - FOREST AND BEACH, ANDALUSIA

Saturday
You are met at Jerez airport and taken for drive along the Atlantic coast to the to the village where we will be based for the duration of your  riding holiday. Here you will have time to unpack and enjoy a leisurely drink before a delicious dinner.

Sunday
After breakfast you will be introduced to your horse and we enjoy a trek through part of the National Park Forest. Not too long a ride today and back in time for a late lunch and time to enjoy a swim.

Monday
You head back into the National Park and pine forest where you enjoy a canter through the trails. You follow tracks to the village of San Ambrosio to a restored monastery which is home to the biggest dove cote in Europe. A stop here for refreshment whilst your horses are resting in the shade. You return through the forest which provides shaded riding even on the hottest of days. Back for a late lunch and time to relax before dinner.

Tuesday
A ride towards the beach at Cape Trafalgar and a fabulous long ride along the beach. Tide permitting you can enjoy a leisurely canter or gallop through the water. Along the way home as top for refreshment at a local bar and a ride back for lunch.

Wednesday
A wonderful ride through the forest down to the old Roman road which winds its way along the coast with spectacular views of Tarifa and Sierra. A stop in the shade of the forest of the Torre de Tajo which is an old look out tower. An excellent photo opportunity. Back through the forest to Antonios Bar for refreshment and another beautiful ride through the forest home.

Thursday
Today the horses have a rest and we drive to the Royal School of Equestrian Art in Jerez where you wander around and watch the horses practising and then you are able to see a performance with an exceptional display of horsemanship. After the performance you can visit a tackshop and enjoy a sherry tasting. Lunch is enjoyed outside at a tapas bar. On the drive home you stop and look around a ceramic shop and garden centre. You arrive back at the Finca in time for a drink in the lovely garden.

Friday
Last ride along the beach today and another wonderful gallop. You then ride to San Ambrosio and enjoy refreshment at Venta Luis. You can gallop through the eucalyptus trees to a viewpoint at Torre de Meca where you have the most wonderful views over Cape Trafalgar. A great photo opportunity. Back to the Finca for a late lunch and a last afternoon by the pool.

Saturday
A last leisurely breakfast before transfer back to Jerez for noon and your flight home.

NOTES - FOREST AND BEACH, ANDALUSIA

There is no beach riding June - September inclusive as Spanish law forbids riding on beaches during this period and this is strictly adhered to. As with many horse riding holidays, this itinerary can vary with weather, tides and other local considerations. Transfers included from Jerez on morning flights. Transfers at other times or days or transfers from Gibraltar can be arranged for a fee. If you wish to fly to Malaga, you will need to hire a car. A single supplement is not charged if you are willing to share with someone of the same sex. This may not be necessary even if you may have a room to yourself in any case. The visit to Jerez for the performance at the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art and a lunch out costs €50 to be paid on site (€60 perperson in 2009)

About the centre
The riding centre and guest facilities here have been created to combine a relaxing holiday with good riding in lovely countryside. The horses are mostly Spanish horses, 15hh, sure footed, forward going, providing safe but willing rides. There is a strict weight limit of 85kg/13.5 stone on this ride. Riding holidays are available all year including Christmas. Non riders and novices welcome. Rides are led by experienced English escorts, familiar with the local language, countryside and terrain, who will ensure that the riders will have fun and enjoy their riding and at the same time place emphasis on safe riding and the horses' well being. The rides are for between 3 and 5 hours so riders must be a little riding fit to participate in all the rides. The rides usually feature a bar stop for refreshment (not included in price) and a late lunch is taken back at the Finca. A horse suitable to your riding ability will be chosen for you. The holiday is not for beginners unless by previous arrangement, but less confident and nervous riders can be given a steady horse and positive help and encouragement. High standards of horse care are maintained. The horses are looked after by experienced grooms, and English saddles and tack are used. However the atmosphere is relaxed and informal, and if you wish to help groom and tack up your horse you will be welcome to do so, with help where necessary.

The riding
These holidays are based at the Finca. The rides from the stables are varied, covering a wide range of local countryside - through the Parque Natural of the Mediterranean pine forest, rural countryside and along empty beaches. The terrain provides the opportunity for exhilarating riding - sandy forest tracks and wide firebreaks for long canters, and of course miles of open beaches for some gallops. Please note the weight limit on this ride.

Mid summer season riding holidays *
For some weeks during the months of July and August, rides are reduced to an average of 2 hours daily in the morning when it is cooler. This means that the itinerary will be changed a little too. The holidays are offered at a reduced rate then.

Accommodation
The guest accommodation is in twin bedded rooms with en suite facilities including bath and shower, and a front patio terrace facing on to the gardens and swimming pool, with views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The outdoor swimming pool is open from April to October.

Meals
All meals are taken in the farmhouse, either in the shaded patio garden during the summer months, or in the covered terrace in the winter. A wide range of home cooked meals are available. There are always vegetarian dishes and special diets can be catered for by prior arrangement. Drinks are included and there is a bar by the swimming pool where free drinks are available. Tuesday is a rest day for the horses. You may wish to join the escorted trip to the Royal Equestrian School of Jerez to see a full display of classical riding on the famous white stallions, followed by sherry tasting and tapas in a local bar (50 Euros), or just take the day off, sunbathing, swimming and relaxing by the pool or on the beach. A hire car is a good idea if you wish to explore the area in the afternoons and evenings, whilst not in the saddle.

Prices 2009

10,17,24,31 Jan 7, 14, 21, 28 Feb 7, 14, 21, 28 Nov 5, 12 Dec	£649
7, 14, 21, 28 Mar	£739
4, 11, 18, 25 Apr 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Oct	£819
6, 13, 20, 27 Jun 29 Aug 5, 12, 19, 26 Sep	£795
4, 11, 18, 25 Jul 1, 8, 15, 22 Aug	£719
Christmas/New Year - dates to suit from 19 Dec, please enquire	£785
Non riders all weeks	£419

The weight limit for this ride is 13 st/187 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation per person sharing, all meals, all drinks at the Finca including a free bar, all riding as described. Transfers from the Saturday morning flights from Jerez.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to and from Jerez or Gibraltar, transfer arrangements other than above, items of a personal nature, optional trip to the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez, drinks during bar stops. A single supplement may be charge if not willing to share with someone of the same sex.

FURTHER DETAILS
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