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DE 
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NL Mediterranean Trail
Overview
Trail Route
Day 1: Riding Centre Catalonia: experience Spain on horseback!
Arrival in Spain (Barcelona or Girona) and transfer to our first accommodation, a typical Catalan rustic stone house dating back to the 16th century. From here you overlook green meadows and forests. The unique light transforms the surroundings into a picturesque painting. What a beautiful place to begin your holiday in Spain.
Day 2: Spain like Costa Rica
We ride through thick oak and pine forests and leave the village towards the mountains. In a hidden valley, we cross a small stream. Some sun rays pierce the deep green of a tropical-looking 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.
The River Fluvia winds through a hilly terrain. We ride through the lovely river valleys and discover a nice place for our first picnic. In the afternoon, we continue on our way trotting and cantering, until we arrive at a beautiful old mill near to the river; our accommodation for the night. The South American-looking garden is a wonderful, relaxing paradise! In this romantic place, we and our well-trained four-legged friends find a unique place for the night.
Day 3: Wild Coast - Costa Brava
The River Fluvia winds its way through the country to the sea. On a small lake, a friendly Catalan named Dani welcomes us with a glass of cava, the Catalan champagne, and a mid day table prepared with love.
After lunch, we follow the river Fluvia. We cross the river and ride through a wild river landscape. At its estuary, we have a spectacular view of the Gulf of Roses. We are at the Mediterranean Sea in Spain!
A palm grove leads us to the cosy country house "Mas Joncar". With a drink on the terrace we let the day end. If you want to, you can have a refreshing bath in the "natural stone pool" before dinner.
Day 4: Vamos a la playa! Discover the Mediterranean Sea! (*)
With the sunrise, we see a kilometre-long sandy beach. A dream comes true: Riding in Spain, riding by the sea! The water splashes, the sand flies, we canter along the surf. The horses play with the waves and we try to stay dry. The canter along the beach is an unforgettable experience!
The path gently follows through the continental sand dunes and the Mediterranean pine forest up to the rugged mountain massif Montgri. On top of the cliff, we are rewarded with a fantastic view of the endless sea. Seabirds glide over the coast in the wind. In the scent of lavender, rosemary, and thyme we strengthen ourselves with a delicious saddle bag picnic.
Later we descend into the plain of the River Ter. With long canters through the river dykes we reach again the Mediterranean Sea. We can enjoy the sunset at the beach or in the swimming pool of the hotel.
Day 5: Spain, sun, beach, and the sea (*)
Right after breakfast we are back at the beach! In front of us we see the protected islands of "Medes". A canter through the soft sand of the bay brings us into the rice fields of the wide plain, up to the pine trees near the coast. We pass the pearls of the Catalan coast: Pals, Palau-Sator and Peretallada. Old city walls surround the nested rustic stone houses. On the patterned paving stones of the narrow streets, we can still see the grooves and bursts of the horse-drawn carts of the past days. In this medieval atmosphere, Dolores and Luis await us at their comfortable accommodation. In the evening, the householders offer a delicious barbecue with meat and vegetables from the garden.
Day 6: Catalonia
The terrain is flat, the ground soft and sandy. At a fast pace, our well-trained horses trot and canter to the river "El Ter". Fruit plantations alternate with grain fields and deep green poplar forests which give us the necessary shade. On a romantic hillside, next to a small church, we see a red-and-white tablecloth shining. We look forward to another, delicious picnic from Dani.
After a siesta, we ride though a softly curved hillside landscape back to our horse farm.
Day 7: Hasta la vista, Catalonia!
Transfer to Barcelona or Girona or extension to another trail.
Important! As a round trail, we mostly ride the Mediterranean Trail clockwise. Under the Mediterranean Trail turn left (counter-clockwise) you will find the detailed trail description. We reserve possible deviations from the program.
Information & Services
Character
This dream tour has all the ingredients of a classic trail. With steady and quiet conditions, these rides are through forests and meadows and along paved paths through stone villages with spectacular river crossings. Canters along a sandy beach and panoramic views along the Wild Coast are hard to beat. These are the ingredients of this classic trail!
The Mediterranean Trail is ridden at all gaits, so it is recommended that you know how to connect with your four-legged partner. It is also perfect for experienced riders who usually just train in the arena and would be interested to experience trail rides. Our sure-footed horses provide the necessary security in this varied terrain. Every day you will spend 4-7 hours in the saddle.
Included services
- Riding program as described
- 7 days with 6 nights in a double room with shower and toilet, of which 1-2 nights' accommodation may be with a shared shower and toilet, 5 riding days
- Arrival day dinner included/departure day breakfast included
- 5 Riding days half board including wine (lunch picnic)
- 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
- Restaurant & Catering services during the ride: payable locally at the first dinner
- Entrance fees to Museums and Monuments
- Drinks/food in bars
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Coffee at dinner
- Trail date at the turn of the year with special dinner (45,- Euro)
- 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 Mediterranean 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