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Swimming with your horse,
sunbathing, riding and relaxing on this breathtaking
Mediterranean Coastal Trail which starts off in the
Mediterranean Pyrenean wilderness with its rolling
foothills heavily forested with oak, cork and beech.
We canter and gallop our way through forests
rosemary and thyme by the river Fluviá and out of
the rolling hills onto the plains to visit, Sant
Marti de Sesceres, an incredible xii century church
and rectory. The Pyrenean foothills provide a
dramatic backdrop to the medieval castle and village
of Sant LLorenc de la Muga. The Alvera wine region
offers olive groves vineyards with intense natural
beauty and obligatory sampling of the local vino at
a charming bodega. We venture through the Aiguamolls
natural park which is home to flamingos and exotic
birds before reaching Spains eastern-most point the
huge peninsula Cap de Creus, with its spectacular
views of the rugged coastal rocks and coastal bays.
Talavera Bay is an authentic smugglers cove with a
fantastic beach, crystal clear seas to swim with
your horse. Soak up this lunar landscape of Cap de
Creus, inspirational to one of Spain most famous
artists Salvador Dali and all who visit. The
Mediterranean Coastal trail is an exhilarating ride
discovering one of Spain’s most wild and beautiful
coast lines.
PR-CJTW
Included: Accommodations in hotels and
country inns, all meals, 6 riding days
8 Days/
7 nights $1,425
Low Season $ 1,245
Single room:
+$230 if requested
--
based on
€ 998/ 875 Single: € 160
2008
Dates:
06/01-06/08 06/29-07/06
07/13-07/20
08/24-08/31 10/05-10/12
10/26-11/02
11/09-11/16
check availability
Meeting: Sant Jaume de
Llerca
Airport: Barcelona or Girona
Transfer: Barcelona
at 6:30 PM
or Girona 7:30
PM $115 (€
79)
Level:
Intermediate+ riding level
Tack:
English
trekking, some Spanish
and Western
Horses:
Spanish &
Andalusian cross
Pace :
Moderate with nice canters
and gallops, 4-7 hours a day
Min/Max Riders: 6-10
Note:
Some steep mountain trails
where you have to lead your horse.
Non riders
(accommodations, breakfast and
dinners) deduct $350 (€
260) - best to rent a car for all non
riders.
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL
Arrival and transfer from the airport in
Barcelona Barcelona to Sant
Jaume de Llerca. From here it is a 20-minute drive
up a narrow winding track in a four- wheel drive
vehicle, through thick forest and Mediterranean
"jungle", perched high up on top of a ridge, we
creach the mountain lodge - an 11th-century
stone farm house with a commanding view over miles
of forests and mountains to the snow-capped peaks of
the Pyrenees. Here we will meet the family, the
guide, the cook and, of course, the horses that are
stabled here. At dinner the guide will go over the
week's program and discuss people's preferences as
to what sort of horse they would like to ride.
DAY 2:
The Trail
Begins
After breakfast and tacking up,
we begin the trail. We leave Can Jou following a
ridge with spectacular views. Forests rosemary and
thyme. Down to the river Fluviá, out of the rolling
hills onto the planes, we canter and gallop through
olive groves and fields of wheat, past country
farmhouses and churches and into the Pyrenean
foothills. To Sant Martí de Sesceres, a XII century
church and rectory here we settle the horses for a
well earned rest and we are driven back to the inn.
Day 3 The Wilderness Ride
The Mediterranean Pyrenean wilderness stretches out
before us, foothills heavily forested with oak, cork
and beech, the spectacular vastness of the Pyrenees.
Today you will notice the fitness of the horses as
at the end of the days trail they are still
enthusiastic about a long gallop. Before lunch we
lead our horses along a winding forest track. Picnic
by a mountain river, a swim, a rest and then we ride
through the ancient medieval village of Sant LLorenc
de la Muga with its castle in the background. We tie
up the horses and have a drink in the local cafe,
and then on to our hotel for the night. “La central”
an art nouveau palace of blue ceramic tiled towers a
haven of peace and tranquility, an exclusive Spa
Hotel, renowned for its delicious cuisine, Hydro
massage pool and relaxing saunas, very welcome after
a full day in the saddle.
Day 4 THE COASTAL VINEYARDS
Today we leave the mountains & ride through the
Alvera wine growing region, olive groves vineyards,
intense natural beauty. A day of lively riding. The
village of Cantallops (singing wolves) is our
destination. Nestled beneath a rugged crest of
mountains you can imagine the wolves howling in the
heights. From here there is a spectacular view over
vineyards and olive groves out across the planes of
the Ampurdan down to the coast. Now you can smell
the sea in the breeze. Here we will settle the
horses in a meadow and return to la Central for the
night, but not before we enjoy a wine tasting
session in one of the most special bodegas of the
area!
Day 5 ALONG THE PLAINS TO THE
CATHEDRAL OF CASTELLON DE EMPURIAS
Heading out across the plains a long day (50km) with
some long trots and canters. Hard working,
responsive horses enjoying the pace. Today we pass
some interesting villages and big Empurdanees farm
houses, follow a beautiful river and enjoy the wide
open space. In the morning we stop in Capmany for a
refreshing glass of Cava in one of the best Cava
producing bodegas in the Alvera. This evening our
destination is Castellon d´Empurias. In ancient
times this was the capital of the region, a village
with a spectacular cathedral Here we can do some
shopping, enjoy some excellent tapas or cold drinks
at one of the nice terraces and the local nightlife.
Day 6 AIGUAMOLS THE NATURAL PARK
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
Aiguamols. The aiguamols is a natural park, home of
flamingos and other exotic birds. We will ride out
of this medieval village through the northern part
of the Aiguamols park over a small mountain range
and on to the Cap de Creus peninsular. From up here
the views are spectacular, miles of coast rocks,
cliffs and little bays. We will have lunch in a pine
forest near a lake where you can swim. Our evening
destination is Port de la Selva, an active fishing
village in the small bay, on the northern side of
the peninsula. You can enjoy a swim in the sea &
dinner with sea views.
Day 7 RIDING ON THE MOON
Today we ride further along the Cap the Creus. This
peninsula of sculptured rock full of flowering
shrubs, a truly lunar landscape. This is Salvador
Dali country, this area inspired many of his
paintings. This morning we will have spectacular
views on the Mediterranean coast. We lead our horses
down to Talavera Bay a smugglers cove and fantastic
beach, where we have a picnic. Here you can swim
with your horses and its a pleasure to see how much
they like to swim. Following a lovely afternoon on
the beach we ride on to the ridge above the village
of Cadaques. Before we are driven back, we will
celebrate our arrival with a glass of Cava at a
lighthouse overlooking the coast and the terrain we
have been riding through. Tonight we will be back at
the mountain lodge (see Day 1) for a final farewell
supper, a glorious end to a wonderful journey.
DAY 8
: BYE BYE
Breakfast, goodbye, and you
leave for the airport with a lot of memories and a
little bit more peace of mind, we hope. Arrival at
the airport in Barcelona is estimated around 11:30
AM. If you are staying for an extra few days, there
is a good train connection from the airport to the
center.
| The horses are Spanish
/ Andalusian, all of which are sure
footed, fit and well adapted to the
requirements of the sometimes rough
terrain.
A great deal of time has been spent
selecting and training the horses for
these routes. Not too boisterous to be
difficult, yet with enough spark to make
an enjoyable ride. The horses are
carefully matched to the ability of the
rider.
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