Catalan Coast & Spanish Horses
Overview
Trail Route
Day 1: Horse riding holidays „Spanish horses“
Arrival in Barcelona or Girona and a short transfer (about 30 minutes from Girona) to your first accommodation, a typical Catalan natural stone house. This secluded place is just right for unwinding! Here, we will spend the first night of our horse riding holiday.
Day 2: Forest, countryside & river trail
A delicious breakfast is followed by a short transfer to our horse farm where we meet our proud Spanish four-legged partners. We saddle the horses and start our first riding day that leads us through thick stone oak and pine forests towards the River Fluvia. Sunrays break through the deep green of the seemingly tropical jungle. Bamboo trees border the path, and high up creepers and vines grow around the trees. We are in Spain, but the atmosphere reminds us of Costa Rica.
Around midday we reach a typical village of stone houses and have a break in an antique oil mill. While enjoying delicious tapas, we will have the opportunity to taste different olive oils and learn more about their production.
In the afternoon, we ride back to the country house we stayed in on our first night. Our chef Toni will surprise us with a delicious Catalan dinner.
Day 3: Natural stone villages – P.R.E. Horse Stud
Lonely paths are winding through the full-green flood plains along the river. A pleasant tranquillity surrounds us. We ride through the Catalonian stone villages and the hooves of our horses echo through the narrow streets and alleys.
At lunchtime, in the shade of the ancient cork oaks, a lovingly laid table awaits us with exquisite delicacies prepared by our chef Toni. After this culinary treat, we take a siesta before continuing our ride towards the coast in the afternoon.
Surrounded by rice fields, our impressive overnight accommodation for tonight is the oldest Andalusian stud farm in Catalonia, P.R.E. (P.R.E. = Pura Raza Española).
The stud has more than 30 broodmares and some excellent stallions that have a decisive influence on the breeding of the Pura Raza Española. The horses bred here are distinguished not only by their beauty, but also by their excellent character and rideability.
It is not only the amazing Spanish horses and their history that await us here, but also comfortable rooms. The tasteful furnishings and pleasant atmosphere are just right for relaxing after a riding day.
For dinner Toni once again treats us to culinary delights at this wonderful place.
Day 4: Ride along the beach
We start our tour today as the sun rises. The bay of Roses stretches out before us. With a view of the seemingly endless sandy beaches and the deep blue Mediterranean, we canter along a path through the dunes on our Andalusians. After this unforgettable experience, we return to the P.R.E. stud farm, where Toni prepares a delicious lunch for us in the garden.
We have a wonderful view over the beautiful chestnut Andalusian horses. Which are enjoying the lush green pastures.
Afterwards, a guided tour of the stud farm awaits us and we learn many interesting facts about the history of the P.R.E. horses. We can take a look around at our leisure and relax. And who knows: maybe you will find your dream horse here!
In the evening Toni will cook for us again! What delicacies will he have prepared for us today?
Day 5: Peralada – A journey to the Middle Ages
Trotting and cantering we reach the medieval Castelló with its impressive cathedral.
Crossing grazing land we ride speedily and pass fields of vines and sunflowers on our way to a historic wine village.
Toni has already prepared a tasty 3-course meal for us at our accommodation. After riding and culinary delights, culture is now on our afternoon programme. We head to the town's magnificent castle and cathedral, which we take the time to visit. This is followed by a tour of the local bodega, where we not only learn lots of interesting facts about traditional wine production.
To complete this impressive day, we look forward to another delicious dinner prepared by our chef.
Day 6: Vineyards and olive groves – visit to the winery
We follow the path of the River Llobregat and then ride through the wild landscape at the foot of the Albera Mountains. Olive groves and cork oak forests are now dominating the landscape occasionally interrupted by magical vineyards.
We visit a family-run winery to try the best wines of this area and let us indulge with Catalan delicacies prepared by the winery owners.
Full of new energy, we ride along laboriously built-up stone terraces. Ancient olive trees line the path. Numerous colourful flowers grow in the flood plains of Orlina. Celtic tombs from pre-Christian times remind us of a great past.
The lowlands of the Ampurdán resemble an amphitheatre surrounded by mountains, whose exit is at the Gulf of Roses.
We stay the night at Emilia's country house in the village of Garriguella, which lies in the wine growing district. The tasteful furnishing, the whirlpool and a nice ambience are perfect for relaxing. Tonight, Toni once again creates delicacies to delight our palates.
Day 7: Tag: Gulf of Lion
Diligently our horses climb over the coastal mountains, the last foothills of the Pyrenees.
Having reached the crest, a breath-taking panoramic view on the entire Gulf of Lion up to the mysterious mountain Canigó is awaiting us.
Gently nestled in the coastal mountains lays a bay at our feet.
On its beach, Toni awaits us with a richly laid table and cooled cava. We have reached our destination! Those who want to can reward themselves with a swim in the luminous Mediterranean Sea.
Afterwards, we return to Emilia's guesthouse and have dinner together an let this eventful week come to an end.
8. Tag: Hasta la vista!
Transfer to Barcelona or Girona. Departure or continue to another trail.
Information & Services
Character
The Catalonian Coast & Spanish Horses trail is quite relaxed and without too many difficult sections. It is particularly suitable for pleasure riders. This tour also offers ideal conditions for trail riding beginners and less experienced riders. It connects the vineyards of the Catalan countryside with the Wild Coast. The moderate tempo and slightly shorter riding days do not require above average riding skills. The tour is a bit more challenging on the beach ride and there is a short descent into the coastal mountains. Proper footwear (hiking boots and chaps) and suitable clothing (waterproof) for the beach ride would be advisable for this section of the trail. Daily riding between 3-5 hours.
Included services
- Riding program as described
- 8 days with 7 nights in a double room with shower and toilet, of which 1-2 nights' accommodation may be with a shared shower and toilet, 6 riding days
- Arrival day dinner included/departure day breakfast included
- 6 Riding days half board including wine
- Tax on stays in tourist establishments
- Transportation of luggage
- Local transfers during the trail
Not included services
- Flight or public transport (on arrival and on departure), taxi
- Collective airport transfer from/to Girona/Barcelona. Charge when arriving with own car (due to the distance of starting and ending point of the trail)
- Restaurant & Catering services during the ride: payable locally at the first dinner
- Entrance fees to Museums and Monuments
- Wine tasting 10,- Euro/Entrance museum + cava tasting 5,- Euro
- Drinks/food in bars
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Coffee at dinner
- Tips for the team and other services
Notice
- First day: on arrival dinner is at approx. 9 p.m.
- Last day: before departure breakfast is at approx. 9 a.m.
- Due to local conditions, a route change or amendment may be necessary.
- The Catalonian Coast & Spanish Horses Trail can be ridden in both directions.
- The tour operator reserves the right to substitute the described accommodations by equivalent if necessary.
Accommodation
Single Room / Double Room / "Half Double Room"
Single rooms cannot always be guaranteed though booked. If a previously confirmed single room is not available, the guest is entitled to a refund of the price paid for those nights surcharge.
Single travellers have the option to book a "Half Double Room".
Half double rooms for bookings 60 days prior to departure can only be booked, if at that time a same-gender customer is also waiting for a roommate. If this is not the case, we will book a single room with the regular, advertised surcharge.
- Single room supplement + 30,- Euro/night
Transfer
Airport Barcelona
- Collective group transfer at 5:30 p.m., meeting point at the airport is in Terminal T1 in front of the Café TRAMOYA at the Group Meeting Point North located opposite from the "Oficina de Turisme" (after customs on the right).
- Please Note! If you arrive at Terminal T2 all five minutes a free shuttle bus brings you to Terminal T1!
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Please book your flight on the day of departure from 2:30 p.m. onwards!
Airport Girona
- Collective group transfer at 6:30 p.m. The meeting point at the airport is in front of Café CAFFRICCIO in the arrivals hall.
- Please book your flight on the day of departure from 1:00 p.m. onwards!
If the arranged transfer times do not fit with your arrival and departure times, we would be happy to organize a taxi for you (about €80-€120 from Girona, €240-€280 from Barcelona, depending on the trail start/end points). Other arrival and departure destinations provided on request.
Please Note: The transfer times can vary depending on flight arrival times/delays from other guests/traffic etc. Please be patient in these cases!
Transfers & CateringsGuaranteed departure
With a small group surcharge in case the minimum number of participants is not reached. (only on demand)
Important notice
Important notice to all customers!
All trail itineraries are general guidelines and in order to offer our customers the best riding holiday experience we make occasional changes.
Depending on the number of concurrent trails, the season, the weather and national holidays, we may make alterations to itineraries at short-notice, which could affect the number of riding hours per day, the route we take to any given destination or the use of alternative accommodation. Trails can also be ridden in both directions. All changes are at our discretion but when changes are made, we endeavour to ensure that our high standards of quality are maintained and reflected in the alternatives we choose.
(*) It is specified in the Coastal Law (Law 22/1988, of 28 July) and the regulations surrounding it (Royal Decree 1471/1989, of 1 December), that excursions operated in places of maritime public domain should not be for profit. We would like to advise that we do not charge for riding on any beach and therefore that part of any ride is free of charge.
Presentation, organization, photos and information by Rudi Stolz