Mediterranean Wild Coast

 ... where the Pyrenees tumble into the sea at the  Costa Brava

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.

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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:
04/06-04/13    04/27-05/04    05/18-05/25
06/01-06/08    06/29-07/06    07/13-07/20
08/24-08/31    09/07-09/14    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  see Route Map
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 11^th-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.

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