Picturesque Catalan villages, varied scenery and the gallop of your life on a deserted beach through crystal surf.
Experience an exhilarating mountain to coast trail with a variety of scenery through the Alt Empordan region with its beautiful villages, castles and churches. Discover unspoilt little medieval villages like Besalu, Crespia and Bascara.
Continuing along rolling hills and fields of wheat, poppies and sunflowers with opportunities for faster riding to the coastal plains and on to the beach. The Alt Empurdan region is just brimming with culture, history and natural diversity.
Good company, great riding, Andalusian horses, comfortable accommodation and regional cuisine: this horse riding holiday has the classic formula for an unbelievable and unforgettable ride for competent riders.
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise:
Low season 2012: £139/€165/$225
High season 2012: £139/€165/$225
SAMPLE ITINERARY - MOUNTAIN TO SEA 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 team.
At dinner we will go over the week’s program and you will be told about the special characteristics of our Andalucian trail horses. 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 involves 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: THE JOURNEY BEGINS
After saddling the horses we are ready to leave, with 200 km of fun and varied riding ahead. The horses are fresh and ready for the adventure.
During the morning we ride through the valleys of La Miana and we pass the spectacular church of Sant Frutós. We are leaving the mountains behind and heading for the Fluvia, one of Catalonia’s biggest rivers, where we stop for a picnic lunch.
We continue through scenery of rolling hills and pine forests where it is very likely to meet herds of sheep or wild boar. At dusk we arrive at our destination, the charming village of Vilert, where we leave our horses to graze and rest. We will be driven back to the farm for a welcome meal with our popular house wine.
DAY 3 CATALAN ARCHITECTURE
After breakfast we leave Vilert through forests and over the rolling hills around the village of Ollers, with its church dominating the area. Here you find some majestic farm houses built by the nobility in the 12th century.
With amazing views on the Pyrenees behind us, we enter the historic village of Galliners with some fine examples of Catalan architecture.
We travel through forests full of aromatic herbs and wild flowers and stop for an excellent lunch surrounded by Rosemary bushes.
After lunch we continue our journey into the Alt Empordan region and after some good canters we hit the town of Bascara, where we stop in one of the traditional bars for a carajillo or a glass of local fino.
Back on our horses we embark on a gentle ride following the river and into the village of Calabuig where we can see the 15th century castle build on a hill overlooking the Alt Empurdan 360º around us.
Our destination for today is Can Sort, an old traditional Catalan country farmhouse which has been renovated and decorated with antique furniture. Here you can relax in the gardens or have a swim in the swimming pool. Jaime and Cristina will make sure that we feel at home and serve us an excellent home cooked meal.
DAY 4: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ROMANS
Today the scenery and pace is varied. Every hour we pass another beautiful village, castles, churches, chapels, arches, old wooden doors with wrought iron knockers, the beauty of the stonework of the past. We will stop for a drink in a bar in the middle of the pine forest where we can listen to the singing of the crickets.
We ride through the coastal mountains with views all around us, and follow in the footsteps of the Romans along part of the Roman road from Girona to the important Roman settlement on the coast (Sant Marti d´Empuries).
We enjoy our lunch near a natural well, a welcome refreshment for us and the horses.
After a siesta we saddle the horses and go coastal bound. Out of nowhere we suddenly see the magnificent castle Sant Feliu de la Garriga, a 12th century fortified castle with a Romanesque church. From here we have spectacular views on the coast and we see our beach for tomorrow's ride.
Our destination is our hotel in L´Escala, a lively town situated on the coast. You have free time to walk around the old town or take a swim in the sea before dinner.
DAY 5: VAMOS A LA PLAYA !!! and the DALI theatre museum
Today we make an early start. The long curve of the bay of Rosas stretches before us with kilometres of sand and surf and not another soul. The splash of the waves, the Mediterranean sunrise, the dull thud of the hoofs on the sand; the horses love to cool their legs in the sea. Here we enjoy some excellent canters and gallops. What an experience!
After the beach ride we head inland again through the natural Parc Aiguamols, a bird sanctuary where we can see flocks of migrating birds.
We stop in the fishing village Sant Pere de Pescador for a coffee and some sightseeing.
Heading for Castellon d´Empurias, the terrain is flat with lots of pears and apple orchards and huge rice fields. The pace today is lively. By lunchtime we arrive at our destination Castellon d´Empurias. In ancient times this was the capital of the region, a vibrant town dominated by its spectacular cathedral.
Our hotel, in the historic centre, has an outdoor swimming pool where you can relax on one of the sun beds on the patio, or you can do some shopping, enjoy some excellent tapas with cold drinks at one of the nice terraces and explore the local nightlife. Or you can go to Figueres to visit the famous Dali-museum and amaze yourself with his art.
DAY 6: MILES INTO THE ALT EMPORDA
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 through the Alt Emporda.
Today we have miles ahead of us. We ride through the village of Riumors and gallop over the planes surrounded by fields with different crops.
Around lunch time we will find an excellent spot in the beautiful wild forest for our picnic.
With an amazing view on the Pyrenees in the distance, we ride through walnut and olive groves before we go down to the river Fluvia where you can see the immediate change in scenery. All year around the vegetation is lush and almost looks like the Amazon jungle.
Our destination for today is Hostal Nou de Crespia, where Elena and Juan are the perfect hosts. The house dates back to the seventeenth century and has been carefully restored. The swimming pool and the living room are all at our disposal. In the restaurant they serve a traditional cuisine based on the finest local ingredients and some old family recipes.
DAY 7: HOMEWARD BOUND & VISIT MEDIEVAL BESALU
Sadly we have to leave our lovely hotel and say goodbye to our hosts.
We start of with a refreshing gallop and ride through sunflower fields and walnut groves to the picturesque village of Crespia. We follow the north bank of the river Fluvia where we can enjoy the spectacular fluvial scenery with lots of different bird species. We cover many miles in a short time through sunflower fields, open meadows and forest.
We stop in Besalu where we have a delicious picnic lunch by the river. Besalu, a medieval walled village, the ancient capital, is a jewel of Romanesque architecture set between two rivers. The squares, stone cut pillars and cool shady arched passageways are a wonder to behold, not to mention the stained glass of its churches. You have some time to wander around and absorb the unique atmosphere of this ancient medieval village with its spectacular bridge and Romanesque architecture.
In the afternoon we ride through the scented oak forests above beautiful ravines that so characterise this mountainous region known as the Garrotxa. The views are superb with the Pyrenees in the distance to the north and the Mediterranean coast to the south.
After some long canters we see our base, a welcome sight as we arrive in the afternoon.
A glass, or two, of Cava on the terrace overlooking the mountains followed by a delicious meal is a perfect end to a marvellous journey.
DAY 8: A GOODBYE BREAKFAST
Adios amigos and I’m sure we will meet again.
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 - MOUNTAIN TO SEA TRAIL
Special taxi transfers can be arranged and paid on site if you are not ctahing 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 trail 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
Transfers at set times, all accommodation,riding and meals as per the itinerary. 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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