This programme is suited to the novice rider wishing to try a new style of riding, those wishing to experience horse riding for the first time, or for riders that have lost their confidence and are nervous. The programme is not suited to those wishing to learn and progress specifically in an English style as the style here is Spanish. You can be assured that safety is a high priority.

Discover your passion for horseback riding in a relaxed atmosphere amidst beautiful scenery on these wonderful Andalusian horses. During this programme you will receive instruction in safe ground handling and the riding is taught in small groups. The horses are reliable and experienced trail horses in whom you'll build faith immediately. The good news here is that you only ride at a walk or canter. The way of riding here, Doma Vaquera, is the original style of western riding as is very comfortable for horse and rider whilst hacking out. The comfortable Spanish saddles give you a firm seat. Perhaps you will not go home after this one week and impress an experienced rider but you will have had a lot of fun and, most importantly, you will have gained confidence on horseback. 

Before you mount your horse on the first day then you are taught the basics. You receive an introduction about the general handling of horses - how you approach a horse to gain its trust, how it reacts. The saddles are shown and explained to you. Then you are ready to mount your horse for the first time and you will be surprised that it does not take much to communicate with the horses. After just a short while you get a feeling for the basic aids, such as how and why a horse turns in different directions... now you are ready to discover the surroundings of the ranch on easy trails. Out in the countryside you are suddenly a lot more relaxed and can enjoy the beautiful scenery whilst learning very easily how to go with the movements of your horse. 

You will ride up the mountains to a lookout and then down the other side and you’ll come to know how a horse moves. Every day the rides are extended and become more interesting. The trails are chosen according to your skills and confidence. But there’s no need to worry – your horse also looks after you, forgiving small mistakes. After a few rides you will undoubtedly feel secure enough to try your first canter on an easy route, holding the reins in one hand you have the other free to hold the mane for extra comfort if needed. 

This programme is great for riders who are afraid or who have had some bad experience in the past. If you already have some experience of riding in the country but want to start it slowly, you can start with this programme and change into another riding group when you feel ready for it (without a change in price). 

Daily trail rides through the romantic Andalusia countryside followed by a four-day tour along the beaches and through mountain villages from the Mediterranean Sea to the mountains. This riding holiday is designed for riders who want to experience trail riding for the first time, but also want the comfort of staying in the same location each night.

Before going out on the four-day ride you will spend a day getting to know your horse and riding in the surrounding countryside. For the remainder of your tour you will participate on a comfortably paced, four-day tour from village to village. Each night, the horses are stabled enroute, while you are driven back to the Finca for a comfortable night’s lodging.

Day 1: Arrival in Malaga and transfer to the Finca. There is no riding on this first day so you may take a look around and settle in to your accommodation.

Day 2: After breakfast you will be introduced to your horse and will receive some instruction as to the Spanish style of riding. Today you will have a morning and afternoon ride, each about 2.5 hours, to give you the opportunity to get to know your horse and the riding style and to gain confidence with the rough terrain. Lunch and dinner at the ranch.

Day 3: After breakfast you load the horses and drive with a minibus along the Costa del Sol, across Marbella, Estepona and the historic rock of Gibraltar. If there is good weather you may even be able to experience fantastic views over the coasts of Africa. You cross Tarifa, the southernmost point of Europe, and comes to Facinas. Here you start your ride through the big garms of the famous black bull breeders, Nunez. You pass by the beautiful bulls in safe distance over "vereas", the old cattle driving routes, and along sunflower and cotton fields with the typical Spanish red cows, the "retintas". Then you will come to the fishing town of Zahara de los Atunes. Here you will have your lunch in a hotel (as the name suggests, the speciality is the fresh tuna fish). In the afternoon you get out onto the vast sandy beach. Except during the summer months, you will only meet some fishermen here, and the horses enjoy the gallops on the sand as much as you do. They love to play in the waves. Near Barbate you load the horses and drive back for dinner at the ranch. Day 4: Today is the first day of the four-day trail ride. After breakfast you behind your journey. Under the shadow of the pine tree forests, you cross the mountains of the Sierra de Mijas to Alhaurin El Grande. You have fantastic views over the busy Costa de Sol and the city of Malaga with its port, the coasts of Africa and, as a contrast, the inland with its hills and small, white villages. On the way you have a picnic lunch. The horses stay in a corral close to Alhaurin whilst you are driven back to the finca for dinner and overnight. 

Day 5: Only a few miles from the touristy and fully developed coast, time seems to stand still. You ride past small farms where donkeys and mules are still used as a means of transportation. Here you find endless orange and lemon plantations and in spring you can admire the magnificient almond blossoms. Lunch is in a venta, a small, typical restaurant close to the town of Coin, before you ride on towards the Rio Grande, the “big river” which runs water throughout the year. The horses stay here overnight and you return to the Finca.

Day 6: Andalusia’s backcountry is romantic and peaceful, an exact contrast to the Coast. The Andalusian people are hospitable and everywhere you receive a warm welcome. You ride along old cattle drive trails until you meet the support vehicle which carries the all important picnic. In the late afternoon you reach one of the typical white mountain villages – Casarabonela – where the horses stay overnight. You are again driving back to the Finca for your overnight stay.

Day 7: Today the hills become mountains. Through pine forests you cross the Sierra de Alcaparan and the Sierra de las Aguas on soft, winding forest trails and enjoy great vistas over green valleys and endless mountains ranges with few scattered villages. Before you reach Ardales you stop for a picnic, then the horses are loaded in the trailer at Puerto de Carmen and all are driven back to the Finca.

Day 8: Transfer to the airport in Malaga and departure. No riding on this last day.

This programme involves riding for two to three hours a day, leaving you the afternoon free for excursions. This programme would suit those who wish to holiday with their non-riding friends or those who like to take it easy. 

You enjoy the mornings on the back of an Andalusian and spend your afternoons at the historical sites of Andalusia. You will be able to enjoy the surroundings of the 'Finca' with lots of time for journeys to Sevilla, Cordoba, the Royal Spanish Riding School of Jerez, Granada and the Alhambra as well as a trip to the white villages, typical to this area. On this programme you will be taken by bus to Ronda, where you can take a walk through this fascinating town and shop for typical Andalusian craftwork (dinner not included in Ronda).

The programme is flexible so you are able to ride twice on one day if you prefer leaving you a whole day free for an excursion on another day.

This riding programme involves riding each morning and afternoon through the mountains of Mijas, in the shadow of eucalyptus and pine trees, along flourishing oleander and through vales and rivers. Provided there is a minimum of 4 riders on this programme, the week also includes a 2 day trail over the mountains to Alhaurin where the horses stay overnight. The next day is then riding along the river of Fuengirola with a saddlebag picnic on the way. There is also the chance of some beach riding (minimum of 6 clients).

Each morning and afternoon you will ride 2 to 2.5 hours and discover the area around the ranch, including fantastic views of the Costa del Sol and to the coasts of Africa. Each day you will return to the ranch for lunch, a siesta or a dip in the swimming pool (during summer). If you book a full week and there are enough riders then you will ride the two day trail - the horses stay the night in Alhaurin but you will be driven back to the ranch for dinner and overnight (riding time this day is about 5 hours). The next day you follow paths back to the ranch and enjoy a saddlebag picnic on the way (riding time about 6.5 hours).

If there are 6 clients or more, you can ride on the beach one day. As it is now allowed to ride on the beach at the Costa del Sol, you will be driven over to the Atlantic. The horses are loaded and you join in a minibus for a journey along the Costa del Sol, across Marbella, Estepona, the historic rock of Gibraltar and, if there is good weather, enjoy fantastic views over the coasts of Africa. You cross Tarifa, the most southern point of Europe, and comes to Facinas. Here you will ride through the big farms of the famous black bull breeders Nunez. You pass the beautiful bulls at a safe distance, riding on the vereas, the old cattle drive ways with sunflower and cotton fields alongside you. You will see typical Spanish red cows, the 'retintas', before coming to the fishing town of Zahara de los Atunes. Here you will have lunch in a hotel (the speciality is the fresh tuna fish). In the afternoon you will get out onto the white sandy beach (except during the summer months, you will just meet some fishermen here). The horses enjoy the gallops on the sandy ground as much as you will and it's refreshing to play in the waves. Near Barbate you load the horses and head back to the ranch for dinner.

Itinerary may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances.

The trip starts on the beaches of the Atlantic coast. Turning inland, you will ride through the coastal pine forests and across large meadows. You will then head for the mountains and ride through the natural reserve Alcoronocales with its canyons and cork oak forests. At 3000 feet you have a great view of the surrounding mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 1: Arrival in Malaga and overnight at Sierra Mijas.

Day 2: After breakfast transfer to Zahara de los Atunes along the coast. A drive of approx. 2.5 hours. Here you'll set off on your first beach ride to Barbate. Right after leaving the town, the beach is deserted and only used by the fishermen. As this stretch of the coast is under the supervision of the military, no hotels have been built, and the firm sand gives you the opportunity to get used to your horse in walk and gallop.

In the pine forest behind Barbate, the support vehicle awaits you with the picnic. After a siesta, ride along the beach and through the pine forest above the steep coast of Cap Trafalgar. At this historic place with its old lighthouse you can see as far as Morocco. The horses stay in Caños de Meca, the riders drive back to the hotel at the Atlantic beach. Before or after dinner you may like to swim in the ocean or in the pool of the hotel.

Day 3: Along sandy trails you'll ride back to the beach where you will enjoy more canters. Only towards the end of this morning you'll reach the busier parts of the coast. You'll be pleased to stop at a beach-bar for refreshments.

For lunch you'll turn inland to meet the support vehicle. Leaving the coastal pine forests behind, you'll cross a stretch of fertile land with sugar beet, cotton and bean fields before reaching the first meadows of Andalusia. The support vehicle awaits you with the picnic and refreshments. Ride on along Andalusia's meadows. The horses stay in the little farming village Los Naveros, the riders drive back to Zahara.

Day 4: Leaving Los Naveros, you'll ride to Paterna along old livestock trails, the "veréras", which are still running through all of Spain, and across meadows of cows and fighting bulls. Lunch stop in a "venta". There are no asphalt roads between meadows and fields, giving you the opportunity to canter again and again. Enjoy the view over the wide open landscape. Keeping a respectful distance you'll ride around herds of bulls and wild cows.

The horses stay in Paterna, the riders drive Alcala de los Gazules. The central Village Square is the heart of the village life where people meet - especially late at night after dinner. Bordered by half a dozen of pubs and in safe distance from the church, every villager walks across the square at least once a day. Virtually undiscovered by tourism, Alcala is one of the few remaining typical Andalusian villages. There is even a saddler here that you might like to check out.

Day 5: Until now you had the possibility to see the Andalusian horses with their work in the countrysides – today you will see them in high dressage. You will be driven to Jerez de la Frontera the heart of Spanish Horses the home of Pure Spanish Stallions, the biggest festival with Spanish Horses ( Feria de Jerez ) and, of course, the Royal Riding Shool where you can visit the morning training.

Have a look behind the scenery how to train young horses to get show horses and how young riders become good trainers. You also can see the historical monuments with the stables. After the training you have time you visit the old part of the town or have guidance in one of the famous bodegas. Use the chance to try typical tapas in one of all this small restaurants ( lunch not included ). In the afternoon you drive back to Alcala.

Day 6: From Paterna you cross the opened land coming through the big groups of "retintas" the big red andalusian cows. In this area you find a great affection of the hunting with Galgos - Spanish hunting dogs and the horses on the fields. You have lunch near Santuario de Nuestra Señora de los Santos - a small church where the whole town of Alcala comes together for their festivals. The horses stay in Patrite and you drive back to Alcala.

Day 7: Until today you have probably been amazed by the endurance and smooth canter of your Andalusian horse. Now you can admire how surefooted they are when climbing the mountains of the National Park Alcornocales. Only by special permission you are able to enter this protected nature reserve once owned by old Andalusian nobility. These mountains are covered with cork oaks and other deciduous trees and keep the natural waters all year round, even in the summer. Rare plants, such as orchids, grow in the shade of the trees. Although this mountain range is only 1,600 ft high, it offers spectacular views over the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic.

Day 8: After breakfast transfer to the Malaga airport.

The itinerary may vary.

The trip starts in the old town Ronda, located on a plateau in the mountains, and well known for its Roman viaduct and Spain's oldest bull-fighting arena. The trail takes you to the Atlantic Coast through varied landscapes. You'll ride through three National Parks, cross the Sierra de Aljibe and large meadows with herds of bulls, until you reach the endless sandy beaches of the Atlantic.

This ride is for experienced riders only, as the stages leading through the mountains are strenuous, the rides along soft trails through the forests and plains are fast at times, and you'll spend up to 8 hours daily in the saddle.

There is not much time for any sight seeing out of the saddle!

Day 1: Arrival at the airport in Malaga and transfer to Ronda where you stay overnight in a hotel or overnight at the Finca

Day 2: On the first day you ride through deep canyons that are only accessible on donkey trails, which are still being used by smugglers. Cortes de la Frontera is one of the typical white villages for which the whole region got its nickname 'Pueblos Blancos' (white villages). Time seems to stand still when you enter this village in the evening. This part of Andalusia is also an historical region: You should visit the wall paintings in the caves Cuevas de la Pileta before dinner. Overnight in a guesthouse.

Day 3: After descending into the canyons of the white villages you enter the naturepark Cortes de la Frontera. Soft, springy forest trails alternate with livestock and donkey trails. The slopes are covered with pine cork oak forests through which you slowly descend towards the plain. At the Puerto de Galis, the border between the provinces of Malaga and Cadiz, the horses stay for the night while you drive to Alcala de los Gazules.

The central Village Square is the heart of the village life where people meet - especially late at night after dinner. Bordered by half a dozen pubs and in safe distance from the church, every villager walks across the square at least once a day. Virtually undiscovered by tourism, Alcala is one of the few remaining typical Andalusian villages. There is even a saddlery here that you might like to check out.

Day 4: The last stage through the mountains. You have probably already admired the surefootedness of your Andalusian horse. You now ride through the nature parks Aljibe and Alcornocales, which are very rich in wild game and have been established to halt the Spaniards'passion for hunting .As no cars are allowed in the parks, you carry your lunch picnic in the saddlebags. In the afternoon you ride over rolling hills on trails that are bordered with hedgerows, opuntia cacti through large meadows and fields of sunflowers. The horses stay halfway between Alcala and Jerez while you drive back to Alcala.

Day 5: The large-scale landholdings of the bull and horse breeders are located in the triangle between Alcala, Jerez, and the coast. You ride across large meadows with fighting bulls and cows with their calves. One meadow is often several miles long. Spring is spectacular in this area as the meadows are covered with wild flowers and are very lush and green while they dry out during the summer. You will certainly meet 'vaqueros', Spanish cowboys who spend their days in the saddle looking after the cattle on these large ranches.

You stop for lunch at a 'venta', a typical country restaurant, just below the old Moorish fortress Medina-Sidona. On wide sandy trails and the livestock trail Paquiri named after the famous matador, you ride to Los Naveros where the horses spend the night. You drive to Zahara de los Atunes on the Atlantic Coast. The next nights you will spend in a hotel right on the beach where you can enjoy a swim in the pool or the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 6: In the morning you ride through meadows and fields of sugar beets, beans, cotton, and the bright yellow sunflowers.The support vehicle awaits you as usual with the lunch picnic and today you will need to fortify yourself for the fast rides on the beaches.You will soon note that you're reaching the beach in Conil: Feel the anticipation of your horse! Except for very few stretches, the beaches are deserted.

You enjoy long canters and gallops on yellow sand and into the blue waves of the Atlantic! You ride along the coast on sandy trails and through pine forests, past Cap Trafalgar where Lord Nelson fought his last sea-battle, to Caños de Meca. You drive back to the hotel in Zahara. At the beach you can see the small fishing boats that deliver their catch every day to the local hotels. Enjoy these Atlantic delicacies for dinner.

Day 7: Another day on the beach awaits you. First you ride along sandy trails through the coastal pine forests and around the fishing village Barbate. A seven mile long stretch of deserted beach invites you. This area is under the supervision of the military; so, no hotels have been built. In a fast gallop you reach Zahara where this wonderful ride comes to an end. Here you have a farewell dinner, say goodbye to your new friend and spend your last night.

Day 8: After breakfast transfer to Malaga.

The itinerary may vary.

If you think that you already know all of the horse riding possibilities in Andalusia then this destination has a surprise for you. It is ideal for the experienced rider who would like to cross "virgin" countryside and see the White Villages of Andalusia. The trail ride offers unique mountain scenery with high cliffs and lonesome valleys, over which the golden eagles fly. On stony paths you scale the Ronda plateau before descending on the western side of the 'Serrania de Ronda' (Ronda mountain range) and riding towards the agricultural plain between Arcos de le Frontera and Villamartin. Riding through the natural preserve of Grazalema, known throughout the world for its 200 different species of bird, you come to enjoy a panoramic view upon El Gastor reservoir. You can take a swim in the crystal-clear waters that the lake of Jimena offers and you will undoubtedly be impressed with the sure-footedness of the beautiful Andalusian horses as they carry you across the mountains. 

You can combine this tour with the Starter trail, enjoying a two-week horseriding experience. The itinerary may vary.

Day 1: Arrival at Málaga and transfer to the Finca. Dinner and accommodation. 

Day 2: Transfer to the coast (approx. 1 hour) and start of the trip from Casarabonela to El Burgo. Today you ride on various paths, partly on cattle trails, meandering through the pine woods between Sierra de Alcaparan and Sierra de las Aguas. You will have an amazing view over green valleys, never-ending mountain ranges and those scattered solitary villages, which can be seen beyond Málaga up to Sierra Nevada. After a picnic from the support vehicle you continue towards the picturesque mountain village of El Burgo. Dinner and accommodation in Casarabonela.

Day 3: From El Burgo to Ronda. The direct route leads you to unspoilt countryside. You will probably meet only a few walkers, most of whom are shepherds. The support vehicle can't follow you up to the mountains so you will eat a picnic from the saddlebags whilst surrounded by holms, mimosas and chestnut trees.

After lunch you will continue riding towards Ronda, where you will arrive in the early afternoon. After circling around the plateau of Ronda you arrive at the stables, enjoying a last view of the town and its prominent bridge. There is time left for you to walk through the town and visit the oldest bull fighting area or the local shops with antiques. Accommodation tonight is at your hotel near to Ronda. 

Day 4: From Ronda, one of the most known towns in the heart of Andalusia, you move on to a relatively unknown part of the Andalusian countryside. Your surefooted Andalusian will carry you through a landscape in constant change between cliffy mountains, olive groves and green plains. In the natural preserve of Grazalema you ride along ridges which still offer you opportunities for gallops towards the white mountain village of Grazalema. As always there is a small hotel and a typical dinner waiting for you. 

Day 5: You ride around the village, with a great view over the canyon, in a north-westerly direction, using goat trails and riding along little mountain pastures. Your picnic awaits you at the support vehicle where you can enjoy eating in this unique landscape. Winding paths lead you to Zahara de las Sierras, a small town at the edge of a large, lucent reservoir. On the way you enjoy panoramic views until the historical and artistic town appears. On reaching the town you still have plenty of time for a swim at a little lake next to the stables. Before dinner we recommend an evening walk through the town with its originally Arabic architecture. Dinner and accommodation at a hotel in Zahara.

Day 6: Starting from Zahara, you enter the natural preserve of Benamahona. The path descends in long serpentines through cork tree woods. Not only is the game stock protected here, but also the dense and old oak woods, which offer you pleasant shade in the summer months. Access by car is forbidden so you have to carry your meal in the saddlebags. You stay overnight at a hotel in El Bosque.

Day 7: Having reached the plain of El Bosque, you follow the old cattle trails, passing by small cottages which can be found throughout the country. Now you have plenty of opportunities for long gallops. You travel alongside 'Fincas' with their typical red cows, the Retintas. Villamartin is a town which is located in a fertile area and provides food for large parts of Andalusia. It also offers water from its big reservoirs to the water-thirsty area. Depending on the season you might look upon floral meadows and cornfields in spring or lustrous lakes in autumn. Here you load the horses and start your way back to the Finca for the last night and dinner. 

Day 8: Departure back to the airport after breakfast. 

A ride on sandy trails around the nature reserve of the Coto Donana. Starting in the southwest of Seville you ride along the pilgrim routes towards El Rocio, the international town of horses. The surroundings of Donana National Parks offer pine forests and cork oak, dunes, marshland and hunting grounds. Thousands of migrant birds spend the winter here. It includes virgin sand beaches, and pine forests with sandy trails. On superb horses you ride for miles along deserted, soft trails through forests and past small lakes.

Day 1: Arrival in Seville and transfer to the hotel Dona Carmela. Dinner and a short information session.

Day 2: Transfer to the "Puebla del Rio" where the horses are waiting for you near the finca of the famous bull fighter Angel Peralta. You follow the tracks of "Hermandad de Sevilla" when she starts her yearly pilgrimage to Rocio. The "Camino al Rocio y a la Paloma Blanca" is world renowned and the largest pilgrimage on horseback and carriage with participation from people all over the world.

In the shadows of the wide pine forests you reach Villamanrique, a small village that serves as a stopover and is also the home for our horses for the night. After a late lunch you ride to your home for the next nights in Rocio. "El Rocio" is a small village surrounded by pine forests and wetlands in the "Parque Donana". No paved roads, just wide sandy streets. Just imagine this small village during the pilgrimage! Thousands of horses and carriages enter the town. In one of the houses here you stay overnight (shared bathroom facilities).

Day 3: From Villamanrique you ride across wide sandy trails to the "Palacio del Rey". Long canters under the pines before a last stop to re-supply the saddle bags, because the supply vehicle can not follow you today. The first highlight of the ride - when entering the Rocio, passing the large church, through the village to a copa with horses. At sunrise or twilight you may wander over to the close by Marismas with its rare species of birds and game.

Day 4: Rocio is located in the national park "Parque Donana", one of the largest and most interesting nature reserves in Europe. Here are different types of forests, travel dunes, dry regions and marshland, as well as a variety of rare animal species. The nature reserve is completely closed and nobody is allowed to enter here, the only area you can visit is "Camino al Rocio".

You have the opportunity to see this wonder of nature on an escorted tour with Landrovers (extra cost). The park keeper will show you the best places where animals can be observed: flamingos, lynx, and hundreds of birds. In the afternoon you saddle your horse for a Vuelta al pueblo (a round through the village) and the surrounding area. In the evening your dinner is at the Atlantic shore with fresh fish specialties.

Day 5: On your way to "Cabezudos" - a small village fallen into disrepair, the only resident here is a keeper - you cross the route of "Rocio chico". The village is well known not only with the pilgrimage, but also with the semi-wild horses living in the area. Your supply vehicle provides you with a substantial picnic.

Day 6: Although Andalusia can be hot and dusty in the summer, in the shade of the pine forests everything is green, and the broad sandy roads and soft ground are inviting you for long canters. Your lunch is served in a traditional venta (spanish pub) where you can try some traditional foods. You ride towards Mazagon near the Portuguese border and leave the horses very close to the beach. Enjoy a seafood dinner on the beach of Matalascanas.

Day 7: This day is filled with unforgettable experiences: one of the most beautiful beaches in the world stretches from Mazagon to Matalascanas - covered with white, fine sand, spreading about 200 m in width. On one side the Atlantic ocean washes the shore, on the other there are high and steep cliffs. You and the horses enjoy the never-ending beach on a 22 mile ride to Matalascanas. Here you say good-bye to your horses and go for a Siesta back to Rocio. A farewell party is the end of your journey.

Day 8: Transfer to the airport of Seville for your return flight.

A traditional Spanish Horse Festival Jerez - well-known for horses and Sherry - is Spain's capital for horse breeding and a "pilgrim destination" for horse-lovers from all over the world who meet here each year at the 'Feria del Caballo'(horse festival).

It started in the year 1284 as a livestock market and has developed into a show of the most beautiful horses in Spain.On the premises of the state-owned "stallion depot", one show follows another; nobles and VIP's on two and four legs parade past until early morning. The riding tour starts in Jimena. The typical Andalusian landscape with its meadows and olive groves surrounds you.

You will ride through the mountains of the National Park Alcornocales. Over Patriste, Alcala, Paterna and Mojo you'll reach Jerez de la Frontera on Friday evening and participate in the Feria.

On Saturday you will polish your horse and yourself, and join the parade.Stop here and there at a Bodega and drink a glass of "Jerez" (Sherry) with the locals On horseback you're more than a simple tourist, you're part of Andalusia's world of horses and every door is open for you! Enjoy the various horse-shows, and there is even time to visit the Royal Andalusian Riding School with their Gala Show.

1st day: Arrival in Jerez and transfer to Zahara de los Atunes at the Atlantic coast (about 1.5 hours) where you will have dinner and stay overnight in a hotel right on the beach (alternate route starts in Alcala/Jimena).

2nd day: After breakfast you'll set off on your first beach ride to Barbate. Right after leaving the town, the beach is deserted and only used by the fishermen. As this stretch of the coast is under the supervision of the military, no hotels have been built, and the firm sand gives you the opportunity to get used to your horse in all gaits.In the pine forest behind Barbate, the support vehicle awaits you with the picnic.

After a siesta, ride along the beach and through the pine forest above the steep coast of Cap Trafalgar. At this historic place with its old lighthouse you can see as far as Morocco. The horses stay in Caños de Meca, the riders drive back to the hotel at the Atlantic beach. Before or after dinner you may like to swim in the ocean or in the pool of the hotel.

3rd day: Along sandy trails you'll ride back to the beach where you will enjoy more canters. Only towards the end of this morning you'll reach the busier parts of the coast. You'll be pleased to stop at a beach-bar for refreshments. For lunch you'll turn inland to meet the support vehicle. Leaving the coastal pine forests behind, you'll cross a stretch of fertile land with sugar beet, cotton and bean fields before reaching the first meadows of Andalusia.

The support vehicle awaits you with the picnic and refreshments. Ride on along Andalusia's meadows. The horses stay in the little farming village Los Naveros, the riders drive to Zahara. Dinner in a typical taverna, overnight in a hotel.

4th day: Leaving Los Naveros, you'll ride to Paterna along old lifestock trails, the "veréras", which are still running through all of Spain, and across meadows of cows and fighting bulls. Lunch stop in a "venta". There are no asphalt roads between meadows and fields, giving you the opportunity to canter again and again. Enjoy the view over the wide open landscape. Keeping a respectful distance you'll ride around herds of bulls and wild cows. The horses stay in Paterna, the riders return to Jerez.

Women in colourful flamenco desses and men in the typical "traje corto" can be seen everywhere. The whole town celebrates but the feria itself takes place on the feria grounds which were laid out particularly for this occasion with bodegas and hourses that are partly privately owned. You may spend the evening on the feria if you wish.

5th day: Today you will approach Jerez. You'll leave the horses in Mojo shortly before reaching the town and drive to a hotel in Jerez. You have a day crossing the the land where the famous breeders of the balck buuls - the Bravos have their fincas. After riding you may spend the evening on the feria if you wish.

6th day: A short riding day takes you from Mojo to the feria grounds where the horses await the next day. As you will ride into the town, you should expect asphalt roads and traffic - but don't worry! The horses are absolutely reliable. After the lunch picnic you will participate in the feria and visit some of the many exhibitions, shows and competitions.

7th day: After you have made your horse spick and span and dressed yourself in the typical traje, you will join into the parade. Do it like the locals and stop here and there in front of a bodega to drink a sherry. You might even be invited. In the afternoon, the horses will be loaded for transport back home while you will continue to enjoy the gaiety and various horse shows. You even have the possibility to visit a performance of the Royal Andalusian Riding School (entrance fee of about $45 to be paid in advance so we can reserve the tickets for you). Overnight as night before.

8th day: Early transfer to the airport of Jerez de la Frontera.

This is a special trail we make every year to give you the chance to take part in this fantastic festival. For the Feria you need the "Traje Corto" which we can help and advise you with, when you book. Spanish riding boots and hat are mandatory and for sale.