Ride Icelandic horses across the French countryside in all its autumn glory. This is perfect for riders with friends/partners wanting to participate but not ride and willing to share a room. Non-riders join in all of the fun on e-bikes, meeting up for lunches and wine tastings. This vacation is for those who enjoy quality food and wine. Each day provides a new experience and an opportunity to indulge in gourmet meals and sample quality wine as you travel across the French vineyards.
Riders need to have a good seat and be able to mount and dismount small Icelandic horses unaided. Much of the ride is done at walk or fast tölt (a very comfortable gaited pace unique to Icelandic horses). Bike riders need only average fitness, the trails are not long and the e-bikes effective.
Each day you are trailered out to new locations to experience different landscapes, explore historical villages, enabling visits to a wide range of quality vineyards. Lunches are gourmet and extravagant affairs, served with wine, evening meals are also of the highest quality. On some evenings you have the opportunity to enjoy the wine you have purchased from the vineyards with your meals being crafted around the wines and warm conversation continuing throughout the evening.
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Sunday
Arrival at the Michebach Farm around 5pm. Here you will be greeted and shown to your cosy authentic rooms. Once everyone has had a chance to settle in, meet for a short hike, down past the Charolis Cattle and on to the beautiful lakes where there are often flocks of Storks. From there we will move to an ancient apple orchard where we will be offered some delicate welcome sparkling wine. Once we have finished enjoying our drinks by the pond we will be guided to the dinner table for a delicious gourmet dinner with a customised wine menu.
Monday
We begin the day with a wonderful french breakfast, 'petit dejeuner' consisting of cheeses, croissants, juice, eggs and freshly brewed coffee. After breakfast we drive out to Westhalten in Valee Noble and then ride out across the wine fields and across the famous gran cru marken Pfingsberg mountains which provide a stunning view over the valley and the city of Orschwihr and all its wine houses. We then ride up mount Bollenberg where a delicious gourmet lunch at Domaine Bollenberg awaits. After lunch we ride on to visit the biodynamic Vigneron Camille Braun in Orschwihr, where they make a fantastic Riesling and an even better Pinot Noir. Once we have sampled the delicious wines we make our way back to the trailer and drive back to the farm. After a quick freshen up, it is time to sit down to another fabulous dinner and enjoy the wine we have purchased during the day. We finish the evening with cake and coffee before heading to bed.
Tuesday
After another hearty French breakfast buffet, we set off for Valee Noble. Today we will ride out in the opposite direction towards Pfaffenheim, a small town, and visit the medieval church Eqglise Saint-Martin. We explore the local vineyards and arrive at the idyllic medieval village of Gueberschwihr where you will be transported back in time as we ride through the narrow streets to reach the old monastery Notre-Dame du Schauenburg. This village has a stunning view of the Rhine valley and it is here we enjoy lunch. After lunch we move round the back of the monastery and down through route spiritualite, which is rumoured to have magical properties. In the afternoon ride through forest, vineyards and small fruit groves before returning to the trailer. While the horses are trailered home we have the opportunity to visit a very special wine farmer, one who has many wines in Michelin star restaurants before heading back to the farm for the evening.
Wednesday - No riding today
Today after breakfast we drive up to Grand Ballon (1,500m) and take a beautiful walk in the stunning alpine terrain. On a clear day you should be able to see the majestic Swiss Alps. We finish the walk at a French farm where we take lunch. After lunch we drive down the mountain and through the vineyards to the world class Vingerson Schoenheitz vineyard. Here we sample the delicious wine, purchasing what we want before heading back to the farmhouse where there is opportunity to try some archery or Petanque. Enjoy an evening meal and relax in the fantastic atmosphere of the farmhouse and it grounds.
Thursday
After another hearty French breakfast we set off, driving out to Chateau Ollwiller and riding up through the stunning scenery of the vineyards, flocks of storks are common place here and on through forest and open terrain. This area has seen some of the biggest battles of World War One. We have lunch at the lovely Ferme des Moines restaurant. After lunch we can either play a game of Petanque or take a trip to the beautiful church Nortr-Dame de Thierenbach before trailering back to the farm. After a little relaxation and an opportunity to freshen up and dress up, we head to lovely restaurant Le Gare (they are said to have the best wine cellars in France). Tonights menu is designed to complement the best Alsace wines, enjoy an enchanting evening and the opportunity to purchase wine to take home at great prices.
Friday
After our final breakfast we saddle up and head out from the farm on a two hour ride around Le Lac Michelbach. We ride through forest and open meadows before returning to the farm for a shower before our final lunch on the terrace. After coffee and cake it is time to say a fond farewell and start the journey home.
Non-rider and other activities:
These include archery, Petanque (a form of lawn bowling) and board games.
Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
There are 9 well-bred and immaculately cared for and schooled Icelandic horses in the herd, all between 13hh and 14.2hh in size. They are a hardy breed and have a unique gaited pace called the tölt. It is rare to see Icelandic horses outside of Iceland so this is a rare opportunity. Most of the ride will be at walk and tölt.
For the non-riders amongst us, there are e-bikes which are used to nip around the vineyards and travel on the same trails so we meet up at lunch times.
Riders should have a secure seat at walk, trot and canter and should be able to mount and dismount unaided.
There may be short periods of time when you will need to walk beside your horse but this should be no longer than 10-20 mins at a time. On average you will be in the saddle for approx. 3 1/2 hours on most days except the final day when there is a two hour ride in the morning before lunch.
All riders must wear hats and you should bring your own.
The bike riding and walking is not strenuous, a normal fitness level is adequate.
Minimum rider age is 18yrs. Maximum weight is 90kgs.
The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
Accommodation for this vacation is in a gorgeous French farmhouse, set within a 20ha park composed of five ponds, meadows, forest and a 100% organic orchard that presents more than 50 different varieties of apple trees. It is just 50 metres from a beautiful lake with Natural Park status.
The Farmhouse& offers comfortable double rooms with a private bathroom and serves high quality French cuisine. Breakfast and most evening meals are taken at the farmhouse, but lunches are at various locations while out during the day.
Meals included:
Sunday evening: Dinner and dessert with wine menu (at the farmhouse)
Monday: French style buffet breakfast at the farmhouse, 5 course gourmet lunch with wine & coffee at Domaine Bollenberg, back at the farmhouse an evening glass of bubbles at 6pm followed by dinner which is adapted to the wines you have purchased throughout the day.
Tuesday: Buffet breakfast, lunch with the nuns and drinks, back at the farmhouse a glass of bubbles at 6pm followed by dinner which is again adapted to match the wines purchased during the day.
Wednesday: Buffet breakfast, lunch at the farm in the mountains without drinks, glass of bubbles at 6pm, evening meal at the farmhouse, matched to the wines you have purchased during the day.
Thursday: Buffet breakfast, lunch with the monks without drinks, gourmet evening meal at the Le Gare restaurant with wine.
Friday: Buffet breakfast, lunch and coffee at the farmhouse before departing at 2pm.
All wine tastings at the various vineyards throughout the week, are included in the the cost of the trip.
Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france In the USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/france
Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions
Alsace has a semi-continental climate at low altitude and a continental climate at high altitude. There is fairly low precipitation because the Vosges protect it from the west.
COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.
Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in France and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.
Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites.
The emergency phone number in France is 112. If you need to contact other emergency services, call 15 (medical), 17 (police) or 18 (fire).
In France the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.
There is electricity at the farm for charging phones and cameras. There is also access to WIFI at the farmhouse and good mobile reception throughout the trip.
Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:
ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
- Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards (some locations can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
- Riding boots designed for riding and walking
- Riding gloves
- Chaps
- At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
- Long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone
Specific to this ride:
- Swimwear
- Warm layers - At times the evening temperature drops significantly
- Hat or beret and a buff bandana (sometimes, especially when it is very dry, horses can kick up a lot of dust during the rides)
It is recommend bringing layers of clothing as it can be cool in the hills and in the evenings.
Average daytime temperatures in Sept and Oct range between 16 - 21 degrees
Can be provided by hosts:
Riding helmet
6d / 5n programme with 4 riding days
2025: May date TBC; 28 Sept (Full)
This ride is aimed at couples and good friends as you are expected to share with your partner on this ride. For solo rider dates, some single rooms are available.
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | double pp | 2,129 |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | non-rider | 1,529 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | double pp | 2,495 |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | non-rider | 1,795 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | double pp | 2,865 |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | non-rider | 2,059 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | double pp | 28,259 |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | non-rider | 20,329 |
Theodore Zeldin ‘The French’,
Francoise Sagan ‘Bonjour Tristesse’,
Peter Mayle ‘A Year in Provence’ and ‘Toujours Provence’,
Louis Stevensons ‘Travels with a Donkey’ and
For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback, visit www.thelongridersguild.com. An excellent source of equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com
Alsace is home of the Stork. They migrate here every year from Africa to spend the warmer months in Europe. They return every year to the same nesting ground. Not only do the storks symbolise fertility but the locals also consider them to be the bringer of good luck and wealth and a year of good harvest, which is important in this famous wine growing region. On your trail riding you will also see a range of other birds particularly in the forests.
The French wrote the book on la vie en rose and gave the world champagne and camembert, de Beauvoir and Debussy, the Tour de France and the Eiffel Tower. It is a country steeped in history. Staggering monasteries and castles dotted all over the country are a reminder of a turbulent and often violent past, especially in the Carcasonne region where the Gnostic Christian organisation the Cathars, held fast against a crusade launched in the 11th century by an angry and vengeful Catholic church for over twenty years. Despite their vow of non-violence they had a strong support base, including the Knights Templar, and their name often pops up in the legend of the Holy Grail. The French character has undoubtedly been influenced by their past, today they are a proud and patriotic people famed for enjoying the finer things in life and displaying a great generosity in their willingness to share their country with the millions of visitors they receive each year. Food is very important in French culture, almost a passion. Families eat dinner together late in the evening and their diet is usually very healthy, packed with home grown fruit and vegetables. You will hardly ever see anyone eating on the street; if you do chances are they're not French! France is one hour ahead of GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code for France is +33.
