Ride Description

This is a riding centre set in the Oristano Gulf near the town of Arborea. The resort has a choice of accommodation in four hotels or a bungalow if you wish to immerse yourself in the freedom and tranquility of the extensive wooded grounds. The resort is surrounded by four hundred hectares of pine forest. The accommodation all has en-suite facilities, with air conditioning and TV. Almost all the rooms have a balcony or patio.

We can arrange a programme for you that includes two hours riding a day leaving you free to enjoy all the other activities this wonderful resort has to offer.

We can organise lessons for you in the indoor school or a day ride to explore the countryside with lunch at local fishing villages. The horse riding facilities are now the largest in all Italy with a large indoor school and also separate facilities for those interested in western riding.

There is much to do here for all the family so non riders (including those difficult teenagers) are guaranteed to have a wonderful holiday.

All of this comes with the guaranteed, continuous support of F.I.S.E (Italian Federation of Equestrian Sport) certified federal instructors, A.N.T.E (National Association of Equestrian Tourism) certified guides and staff with twenty years of experience.

Food & Accommodation

Accommodation in the beautiful surroundings of Arborea is in a hotel complex. The hotels have a four star rating and have private bathroom and shower facilities, television and air conditioning and mini-bar. There is a large swimming pool and bars to relax in. Most rooms have balconies or private terrace.

Alternatively you can stay in one of the bungalows situated in the pine forest next to the beach. Some have one room and some two rooms but all have private bathroom, direct telephone, safe, air conditioning and mini bar. A brilliant choice for children.

The food here is served mainly buffet style with plenty of choice and variety Local seafood, fruit and vegetables, local cheeses and, of course, Sardinian pasta feature in the menu. You can choose full board or half board accommodation.

House wine and mineral water are included during lunch and dinner in the main restaurant. There are alternative restaurants for those with half board and who wish to eat in the evenings. There is also a barbecue, snack bar and pizzeria on site. The pizzeria is situated on a beautiful terrace overlooking the gardens and the swimming pool.

In May 2008 there will be a tex mex restaurant which is situated in an unbelievable setting in the Western village.

There are several bars where guests can meet after lunch or dinner including a saloon (opening May 2008) in the Western Village.

Activities

This is a resort geared up for all the family. There is a wonderful beach which offers all sporting facilities including beach volleyball, banana ride, windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing, pedalos and you can also hire a boat. There are also canoes, wind surfs, sailing ships and kyte surfs.

The 10 km of long sandy beach is lovely for relaxing walks, The beach is equipped with sunchairs and a shaded area, showers, toilets and cabins. There is a wooden jetty into the sea.

As well as the large swimming pool with a special area for children, you can enjoy tennis, football, bowls, ping pong, billiards, video games room, archery.

From the hotel you can rent a car, scooters and bicycles. The staff will arrange games, tournaments, sports, parties and evening shows. For the children there is an ampitheatre where in the summer there are organised games, shows, dancing and activities.

Sardinia has many interesting archeological sites to visit and excursions to different towns can be arranged. You can hire a bicycle and or just walk through the beautiful countryside. There are local lakes full of flamingos and sultan fowls - a dream for birdwatchers.

Horses

Type of horses: Anglo Arab /Sardinian and ponies

Nature of horses: Kind temperament, well schooled, responsive

Number of horses: 120

Height of horses: 11.0 - 16hh

Weight limit: 90

Tack type: English & Western

Further Details

Languages: English & Italian

Health requirements: None

Age limit: None

Tuition: Yes

Included: En-suite accommodation, meals including wine, riding as agreed

Not included: Flights to Sardinia, transfers, club card (purchased locally from the hotel) which pays for extra activities

Travel Information

Easyjet and Ryanair now fly into Sardinia to Alghero and Cagliari.
The resort is 40 minutes by car or by bus from Cagliari airport and 1 hour 15 minutes from Alghero. From Olbia the transfer is 1 hour 30 minutes.

CAGLIARI AEROPORTO / PORTO
1 passenger €95
2 passenger €100
3 passenger €120
4 passenger €130
Minibus 5/8 passenger €215

OLBIA AEROPORTO / PORTO
1 passenger €180
2 passenger €190
3 passenger €210
4 passenger €220
Minibus 5/8 passenger €300

ALGHERO - PORTO TORRES AEROPORTO / PORTO
1 passenger €150
3 passenger €160
4 passenger €170
Minibus 5/8 passenger €180

Airport: Alghero (AHO)

Airport 2: Cagliari (CAG)

Weekly Programme

We can arrange a programme to suit everyone from total beginners to experienced riders. The facilities here are fantastic and possibly the best in Europe with the largest indoor arena.

There is a large outdoor grass arena (11,000 sq.m) and a smaller sand area 100 x 90m suitable for lessons. The fantastic indoor arena is 80m x 54m where you are able to take lessons in show jumping. This arena is now used for competitions as it has seats for 1150.

We can organise instruction in all disciplines including Western riding. The new Western Village on site will be complete with Saloon, Tex-Mex restaurant and Drug Store. Of course, there will be horses and saddles for the cowboys!

The trekking can vary between beach and pinewood trails. There will be shorter trails to the flamingo lake and longer trails to the fishing village of Marceddi, along the golden dunes of Torre dei Corsari, to Monte Arci and up country to Campidano.

By arrangement we can arrange a three day trail during your week which will follow the road of the Knights of Malta on their way to Santu Lussurgiu.

Minimum group size: 1

Maximum group size: 12

Ability description: Beginners to experienced

Type of ride: Tuition, trails and pony games for children

Total riding time: Riding time to suit

Departure dates: All year around - flexible dates

Pricing: Accommodation is priced differently according to the season
2008 Prices for accommodation only:

Hotel Medar, Ribot & Castello:

Season A : 1 May-6 June /27 September-31 October
3 nights Half Board £160
Full Board £180
7 nights Half Board £360
Full Board £400

Season B: 7-20 June/13-26 September
3 nights Half Board £170
Full Board £190
7 nights Half Board £395
Full Board £445

Season C: 21 June-11 July/30 August-12 September
3 nights Half Board £180
Full Board £200
7 nights Half Board £420
Full Board £465

Season D: 12 July-25 July/ 23-29 August
3 nights Half Board £210
Full Board £230
7 nights Half Board £490
Full Board £535

Season E: 26 July-8 August/16-22 August
3 nights Half Board £240
Full Board £260
7 nights Half Board £550
Full Board £600

Season F: 9-15 August
3 nights Half Board £285
7 nights Half Board £660
3 nights Full Board £310
7 nights Full Board £755


Bungalows:
Season A : 1 May-6 June /27 September-31 October
3 nights Half Board £145
Full Board £165
7 nights Half Board £335
Full Board £380

Season B: 7-20 June/13-26 September
3 nights Half Board £160
Full Board £175
7 nights Half Board £370
Full Board £415

Season C: 21 June-11 July/30 August-12 September
3 nights Half Board £170
Full Board £190
7 nights Half Board £390
Full Board £435

Season D: 12 July-25 July/ 23-29 August
3 nights Half Board £195
Full Board £215
7 nights Half Board £455
Full Board £500

Season E: 26 July-8 August/16-22 August
3 nights Half Board £220
Full Board £240
7 nights Half Board £515
Full Board £560

Season F: 9-15 August
3 nights Half Board £265
7 nights Full Board £290
3 nights Half Board £615
7 nights Full Board £680

Riding is in addition at a cost of £15 per hour.

Between 1 June & 30 September guests are required to buy a Club Card for €30 which allows them access to many activities.

Please note you can pay for your holiday by bank transfer, cheque, debit or credit card.