Train & Trail Ride

Day 1: Arrival

Today you’ll make your way to Seville and be picked up from Santa Justa train station at 4:30pm for the drive to your hotel in the nearby town of Carmona, one of the famous white villages of Andalucia. Carmona is one of the oldest continually inhabited villages in Europe and as you stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, you will feel the spirits of ancient cultures (Iberians, Visigoths, Phoenicians, Romans, Moors) in the innumerable examples of their architectural influence in churches, towers, palaces and mansions, as well as in the inherited customs.

After settling into your hotel, you may wish to partake in the Spanish afternoon siesta to recover from your journey. A refreshing dip in the pool is another popular choice to stave off any jet lag.

At 7:15pm, one of your hosts from the equestrian centre will meet you in the lobby and escort you to a welcome dinner at the adjoining restaurant. After some friendly conversation and a discussion of the week’s schedule, you’re free to spend the rest of the evening relaxing before your unforgettable week begins in earnest!

Day 2: Old Hacienda Ride

You’ll be collected from your hotel this morning and driven the short distance to the 16th century hacienda (equestrian centre), where you’ll embark on your first ride: a relaxed hack through the surrounding fields, olive groves, and orchards. Depending on the season, you could see sunflowers, wheat, cotton, peaches, oranges, and melons. The ride takes you past impressive Haciendas and Cortijos that hark back to the days when Cervantes (beloved author of Don Quixote) rode these same trails, collecting olive oil taxes. You’ll return to the equestrian centre for a lavish, freshly-made lunch.

The afternoon is entirely yours, whether you choose to roam Carmona’s storied lanes, slip away to Seville or Córdoba, or unwind by the pool at the hacienda.

Day 3: Jerez Day Trip

This morning you’ll enjoy an early breakfast before being collected from the hotel at 8:30am and driven to Jerez de la Frontera in the province of Cádiz, approximately 1.5 hours away. Jerez is internationally renowned for its production of sherry and brandy. However, the main attraction will be the visit to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre (Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art) to witness the school’s famous performance, “How the Andalusian Horses Dance” (please note, tickets for the show are not included in the ride price and are approximately €33 EURO per person). Here you will have the privilege of seeing the magnificent Andalusian stallions at their best, at home in the breathtaking setting of their 18th Century palace and the riding hall. They will be performing piaffe, passage and the airs above the ground (courbette, capriole, etc) in a spectacle of light, music and colour, comparable only with the famous Spanish Riding School of Vienna. Fernando Garcia, one of your hosts, is well known at the school and is good friends with many world-famous riders. His daughter Vivi (head instructor at the equestrian centre) is a graduate of the Real Escuela and frequently performed in the show during her four years of training.

After a mesmerising performance, you’ll return to Carmona and the afternoon is yours to explore.

Day 4: Roman Bridge

Back at the equestrian centre this morning, you’ll mount up and set off across the Spanish countryside for the Roman bridge. Today’s ride promises to be a scenic wonder: you’ll meander through a landscape patchworked with different crops, still rotated year by year as they have always been, with wide headlands of uncultivated land separating one field from another and providing a natural bridleway across country. The variety of wildflowers, butterflies and birds makes this ride truly memorable. Along the way, you may come across the river, full and flowing in spring, cool and shallow in summer, a natural haven for wildlife, with abundant vegetation year-round. Splashing through the shallows, terns and grebes, you’ll emerge at an old Roman bridge and shady eucalyptus grove.

After pausing to rest and take some beautiful photos, you will ride back to the equestrian centre for lunch.

The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure.

Day 5: Donana Natural Park

Today you’ll be collected early and driven to a seaside village where sturdy Andalusian horses bedecked in Spanish cowboy tack (‘montura vaquera’) will take you on an unforgettable route through Donaña Natural Park, bordering the National Park of the same name, one of Europe’s last true wilderness regions and one of the largest wildlife reservations in Spain. You’ll ride over golden dunes, brushing through fragrant wild lavender, rosemary and thyme. The area is home to many species (some protected), such as fallow deer, boar, fox, lynx, imperial eagles, kites, vultures, storks, flamingos and herons. Finally, you’ll ride down the steep dune to the beach, and then it’s time for the horses to wet their legs and, for those who wish to, a canter through the surf.

You’ll head back to the equestrian centre for lunch and will have the afternoon for free time.

**PLEASE NOTE** During the months of July and August, the Doñana beach ride cannot be offered. An alternative trail ride setting off from your hosts’ property will be offered as a replacement.

Day 6: Seville

For your final ride, you’ll set off across open country through olive and orange groves, past farmers working the land. Although there are no bridle paths, in this region, horse and rider can wander anywhere, as long as you respect the crops. In all the years your hosts have been riding here, they have never had a farmer object to them crossing his land. Quite the opposite, in fact: farmers are actually very pleased to see riders roam through, for in Andalucia, everyone understands and loves the horse.

You’ll return to the equestrian centre for a final delectable lunch (Spain’s famous paella & equally-famous sangria to accompany it) then bid a sad farewell to the terrific horses and instructors you’ve had the pleasure of training with this week.

Later, after a well-deserved siesta, you’ll get changed into your city finery ready to hit Seville. The afternoon is yours to enjoy as you please, whether exploring the city on foot, taking a carriage ride, or shopping (at the famous tack shop or elsewhere!). In the evening, a short walk brings you to an excellent marketplace providing both Spanish and international cuisine for the last dinner of the holiday and some superb Spanish wine (please note, dinner is at your own expense and is NOT included in the ride price). Finally, your hosts will take you back to your hotel in Carmona.

Day 7: Departure

It’s time to say goodbye, globetrotters (boo!), as you’ll be departing after breakfast. But wow, what an amazing week! From riding through the patchworked countryside, to learning new riding and dressage skills on schoolmaster horses, to watching the Andalusian horses ‘dance’ in concert, it’s certainly been a holiday to remember. There are two transfers to Seville (drop-off at either the airport or the Santa Justa train station): one departing from the hotel at 8am and the other at 11am. Please allow at least 3 hours between your pick-up time and your flight from Seville.

4 day, 3 night itinerary

If you’ve booked the shorter 4 day, 3 night stay, you’ll simply follow the same daily schedule outlined in the 6-night itinerary — just depending on when you arrive Sunday to Thursday or Tuesday to Saturday.

The Andalusian Horse

The Spanish horse, the horse of Andalusia, the star of the spectacle “Como bailan los caballos andaluces” (How the Andalusian Horses Dance), is one of the most noble and the most appreciated animals in the world. Easy to train and truly spectacular in the development of the airs required in Classical Dressage and in the Spanish High School of Riding, the Andalusian is also very beautiful. Furthermore, its good character, elevated movements and an extraordinary capacity for collection make it useful for many different forms of sports and leisure activities. Because of those qualities, the great masters of equitation have regarded it as the horse of highest perfection.