Spain - Extremadura Treasures

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Itinerary - The order of the days is flexible, but riders will have the following excursions during their stay:

Half-Day Ride and Visit to Mérida
After breakfast, meet the horses and head out along ancient cattle paths through fields carpeted with wildflowers while taking in the views of the historical Trujilli skyline. The Berrocal de Trujillo area will transport riders back in time, with quiet paths and stone walls. Enjoy a picnic and sample the excellent Extremadura red wine, virtually unobtainable beyond the region (3hrs riding). In the afternoon, the group are transferred by road to Mérida (45 min). The town was founded in 25BC and includes a Roman theatre, amphitheatre, and original bridge crossing the Guadiana River. Spend time exploring this fascinating piece of history. (Museum and monument entry tickets, special guides, refreshments at own expense). Transfer back to Trujillo for dinner and overnight at Hotel Emilia (or similar)

Mini-Trail to Madroñeran
After breakfast, head off on horseback through Mediterranean forests and landscapes. The trail leads through the Dehesa (pastureland) alongside olive trees and vineyards (the area is known for its red and white wines). After lunch, ride a further two hours to reach Madroñeran, where riders will enjoy dinner and overnight at Hotel Rural Soterrana (or similar) (5hrs riding)

Madroñera - Trujillo
Leave Madroñeran after breakfast and get set for some good canters and trots through the open landscapes, dotted with cattle and livestock. The way of life has changed little over the years. After a picnic and rest, enjoy more cantering on the way back to Trujillo for dinner and overnight at Hotel Emilia (or similar)(5hrs riding)

Half-Day Ride and visit to Cáceres
The morning is spent exploring Trujillo's historical areas on horseback, including riding on top of 9th century castles. Enjoy a three-course lunch before heading off to the medieval, renaissance complex of Cáceres, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is teaming with history. The town was chosen as one of the film locations for Game of Thrones. (Museum and monument entry tickets, special guides, refreshments at own expense). Transfer back to Trujillo for dinner and overnight at Hotel Emilia (or similar) (3hrs riding)

Half-Day Ride and visiting Trujillo
After breakfast at the hotel, meet the horses for a brisk ride through the surrounding landscape before stopping for a traditional paella cooked in the open. In the afternoon, riders can further explore the fascinating town of Trujillo, with its palaces and castle, their towers home to the nests of storks, eagles and swallow that can be seen circling. Dinner and overnight in Trujillo at Hotel Emilia (or similar)

Day 7 Transfers:
After breakfast at the hotel, 10am transfer to Madrid Airport, arriving around 1pm. Please do not book onward flights before 3pm to ensure enough time. Earlier transfers can be arranged with advance notice and at extra cost.

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.

PRE (Pure Rasa Espanola), Pure Hispano-Arab, Anglo-Arab and cross horses with English saddles and tack are utilised. The horses are responsive, well behaved and good-natured, ranging from 15 - 16 hands. Most are homebred and are well adapted to the terrain.

The ride is at a reasonable pace with some long trots and canters. The terrain is mostly pasture and woodland, though there may be some rougher ground. We use English saddles and tack with silicon seat savers with 2 light saddle bags attached to the front of the saddles.

Riders should be able to walk, trot and canter confidently and have experience of riding over varied terrain. It is an advantage to be able to mount and dismount unaided but not essential as help is usually at hand. There is a minimum age of 10 for children who must be competent riders and accompanied by an adult.

The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Accommodation in Trujillo and Madroñeran is in comfortable, well appointed local hotels in twin bedded rooms with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, heating, wi-fi access, and cable TV.

Breakfasts and dinners are taken at the accommodation. On the rides there are breaks for mid-morning tapas and superb 3-course picnic lunches, always washed down with a locally grown wine. One of the highlights of the trip is a paella cooked on the BBQ.

Vegetarian and special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advanced notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests.

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 Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year 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/spain In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Spain.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/spain

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

Extremadura has a continental climate with cool, mostly damp winters and hot, dry summers. From June to September the summers are warm to hot. After September temperatures fall back to average values. It freezes only little in Extremadura. Thanks to the many hours of sunshine you can easily be outdoors even in the winter months and enjoy the splendid scenery and the omnipresent quiet.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Spain and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

In Spain 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 Wifi in the hotel rooms and phones and camera equipment can be recharged each night. Signal coverage may be sparse during the rides. If you want to bring a GoPro please be advised that you will have to have permission from all other guests and guides that they are willing to be filmed.

It is recommended to take a riding helmet or broad rimmed hat which must stay on firmly and sunglasses with string. There are a number of riding helmets available for use on-site.
Riding trousers,
Short riding/ walking boots
Half chaps (recommended)
Riding gloves,
Jersey/fleece,
Warm jacket (depending on time of year),
Shorts
Long trousers (for evenings)
Long sleeve shirts,
T-shirts
Trainers/shoes for the evening
Sarong or wrap
Swimsuit
Underwear/socks
Waterproofs
Sun block
Camera
Binoculars

Please note that maximum weight for the whole luggage is 23kg, in case of exceeding the limit there is a charge of €60 per week.

7day / 6 night / 5 riding days with fixed departures

2025: 2 - 8 February; 2 - 8 March* (*Confirmed)

• £
• €
• US $
• SEK

• ‘The New Spaniards’ –John Hooper,


• ‘Driving over Lemons’- Chris Stewart,


• ‘The Story of Spain’- Mark Williams,


• ‘South from Granada’ – Gerald Brenan,


• ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ – Ernest Hemmingway,


• ‘As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning’- Laurie Lee 


• ‘Don Quijote de la Mancha’ – Miguel de Cervantes.


• For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Wildlife such as wolves, roe deer, deer, wild boar, foxes is endemic to the area.

Spain is a beautiful and diverse country, the second largest in Europe. The official language is Castilian Spanish but Catalan, Galician and Basque are also spoken. Territory includes two island archipelagos – the Balearics and the Canaries – and two enclaves on the North African coast, bordering Morocco – Ceuta and Melilla. The African influence can be found throughout Spain but especially in the south, for example the guitar was invented by the Spanish when they added a sixth string to the Arab lute. Music and art permeates Spanish culture, most obviously displayed in the fire and passion of the Flamenco and the stunning modern architecture found in the cities.

The famous siesta is still enjoyed by the majority of Spaniards, most shops close at lunchtime for two or three hours so everyone can escape the often scorching afternoon sun. Evening meals are served late into the evening with plenty of wine or sangria. Often meals can last two or three hours, especially if your host is serving Tapas, small and varied dishes of meats, bread, vegetables. Paella is also a delight and very popular across the country.

Spain 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 Spain is +34.