Our combination week is the perfect riding holiday for those who would like to deepen their riding skills, but also discover the beautiful landscape on horseback. Your holiday will be rounded off by a visit to Jerez and the world-famous Spanish Riding School. The diverse natural environment in the Seville area invites you to take a variety of rides. A highlight is the unique beach ride (not in July and August) in Europe's largest nature park, the Coto de Donana. A beautiful 16th-century hacienda serves as the starting point for your riding holiday. This is located near your hotel. Riders can spend the whole day at the hacienda of the Spanish-British family and feel at home. The large covered riding area ensures that it does not get too hot for you in summer. All trainers are certified by the British Horse Society and the Spanish Federation and give riding lessons for every level. A visit to Seville is planned for the last evening of the week.

Be a guest of a lovely family of riders who will introduce you to their home of Andalusia with all your senses.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Seville and transfer or self-arrival to your hotel in the historic Carmona, one of the most famous white villages in Andalusia. As you stroll through the narrow streets of the village, you can feel the ghosts of ancient cultures (Iberians, Visigoths, Phoenicians, Romans, Moors) and see the architectural influence in the churches, towers, palaces and villas. The hotel also has a swimming pool that invites you to linger. In the evening, your hosts will accompany you to a welcome dinner, where you will also meet the other guests and discuss the weekly program.

Day 2: Get ready for the Old Hacienda Ride, a relaxed ride through olive groves and eucalyptus trees. Depending on the season, the poppy, sunflower, wheat and cotton fields glow in the sun. The ride takes you past huge haciendas and cortijos from the 16th and 17th centuries. Cervantes also rode these same paths to collect olive oil taxes. You will return to the hacienda for lunch.

Riding lessons take place after siesta in the late afternoon when it is a little cooler.

 

Day 3: After an early breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel at 8:30 a.m. for the one-and-a-half-hour drive to Jerez de la Frontera. Jerez is internationally known for its production of brandy and sherry. However, the main attraction of the day is the visit to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre, a riding performance entitled “How the Andalusian Horses Dance” (entrance fee: €27, not included). Here you will have the pleasure of seeing the magnificent Andalusian stallions at their best, in the stunning surroundings of the 18th-century palace and riding arena. Piaffes and passages, courbettes and caprioles are performed in a spectacle of light, music and color that can only be compared to the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Your host Fernando is well known at the riding school and is friends with world-famous riders. Your hostess Vivi trained there for four years and often appeared in the show.

Return to the hacienda for lunch, followed by riding lessons in the afternoon.

Day 4: After breakfast, you will mount your horse and ride to the Roman bridge. You will ride through fields of sunflowers, wheat, cotton, oranges or peaches, as well as through olive groves with very old trees that are carefully tended. Wide strips of uncultivated land separate one field from another, providing a natural bridle path across the countryside with a variety of wild flowers, butterflies and birds. On the way you will come across a river, which is wild and rushing in spring and gently rippling and shallow in summer. Terns and grebes live here in the evergreen vegetation. Finally, you will reach the Roman bridge and a shady eucalyptus grove. After a short break, you will ride back to the hacienda for a late lunch. Riding lessons in the afternoon.

 

5th day: Today you will set off early for a coastal village to a friendly stable, where you will start your beach ride (not in July and August). The ride takes you through the Doñana Nature Park, one of the largest nature reserves in Spain. You will ride over the golden dunes and through fragrant fields of lavender, rosemary and thyme. Many animal species live in this area, including fallow deer, wild boar, foxes, lynx, imperial eagles, red kites, vultures, storks, flamingos and herons. You will ride down to the beach, where it is time to cool your horses' legs. Those who are firmly in the saddle can enjoy a wonderful gallop through the surf. Return to the hacienda for lunch. Riding lessons in the afternoon.

 

6th day: You set off on your ride across open, gently undulating farmland, through olive and orange groves with a view of the mountains. There are no riding bans here, you are allowed to prepare every path and every field as long as you do not cause any damage. The farmers are happy to see the riding group, because in Andalusia they love horses! After a wonderful last ride, it's time for lunch. In the afternoon, after a well-deserved siesta, you get ready to visit Seville. There will be an opportunity to shop in a Spanish equestrian shop and to experience Seville in the evening.

An excellent restaurant offers very good cuisine and excellent Spanish wines. The perfect end to your week of riding in Andalusia.

 

7th day: After breakfast it's time to say goodbye. There is a free transfer to the airport and train station. First ride at 8 am and last at 11 am.

Subject to change!

Accomodation
You will be staying at the 4* hotel in Carmona. The hotel is located near the hacienda. The rooms are bright, spacious and elegantly furnished. They are equipped with air conditioning, heating, satellite TV, minibar, safe, hairdryer and a complete marble bathroom. In addition to a tapas bar, a sun terrace and an outdoor pool, a sauna and various massage treatments are available (at an additional cost). In the morning, a sumptuous breakfast buffet is served (included).
The on-site à la carte restaurant offers typical regional specialties. However, you also have the opportunity to pursue your own taste preferences in one of the many restaurants in Carmona (not included). Private parking is available. You will have lunch at the hacienda where you will spend the day. The food is fresh and healthy. Mostly Spanish dishes mixed with international cuisine are served. There is usually a 3-course menu with a salad side dish, which is offered as a buffet. Water and red and white wine are served with every meal. Coffee and tea are available at all times throughout the day. Beer, soft drinks and snacks are available for purchase. In addition to a seating and relaxation area, there is also a pool where you can cool off during the day.

Saddle & Tack: English tack

Experience: From intermediate all levels welcomed. Helmets are provided.

Horses: 45 horses, PREs, Andalusians and Andalusian cross.