Sunshine at the Chateau

23/06/2008

You can see from the photo taken on 22nd June that our guest is taking full advantage of the wonderful weather and fantastic horses at the Chateau Maubourget in France.

Here we can tailor make your riding and you can enjoy the top class cuisine at the Chateau. The Chateau is situated in beautiful grounds and there is a swimming pool for your enjoyment at the end of a long ride.

The typical French town of Maubourget is nearby and here you can get a typical French meal for 10 euros a head. Marciac and Vic en Bigorre are both less than 15 minutes away and they have some fine restaurants. If you wish to travel a little further then there are two Michelin star restaurants to visit. The town of Tarbes is 30 minutes away and is well worth exploring.

For further details of this superb destination please see
http://www.farandride.com/ride/france/chateau+maubourget

New!! Costa Rica ride now on! Mountain and Beach ride.

10/06/2008

The trail rides here are ideal for intermediate riders and above, due to the exciting mountainous terrain you will encounter. This holiday is ideal for those who long to combine a vacation with their skills and passion for horseback riding, in this ideal destination. Your vacation can be customised to meet your specific needs and expectations.

Spend your days in a lush valley surrounded by majestic mountain views, where you may choose to spend time improving your skills and techniques with riding lessons, or trail rides through the beautiful rural countryside or combine your time between the two.

These riding vacations are not only tailored to the experienced rider, but are also a good way for the beginner to achieve a solid foundation in the sport of horseback riding in a relatively short period of time.

More adventurous riders are invited to join the longer rides which take you from the mountain farm base through incredible countryside. You may choose from a variety of different destinations including a three day journey to the beach.

For full details and pictures, check out our main web page! http://www.farandride.com/ride/costa+rica/mountains+and+beach+ride

Romania Ride Now On!!

30/05/2008

Transylvania Adventures ride in Romania is now on the website!

Discover this eco friendly and self-sufficient country. The terrain and climate of Romania contributes to making this country an excellent place to explore on horseback, especially in Transylvania where the Alps offer a unique blend of experience, knowledge and culture in this beautiful setting, making Transylvania a great undiscovered trail-riding destination of Europe.

It is an unlikely riding holiday destination, but Romania is a real adventure for horse lovers. The Carpathian Mountains, also known as the Transylvanian Alps, make up over a third of the country. This generates a tranquil environment to enjoy the variety of great riding landscapes.

Romania has so many unrevealing secrets, riding on horseback allows you to taste the mysterious life of the times, when the local people used to cross the mountains, valleys and plains as a natural part of day to day life on their horses. You too can rediscover Romania and it’s forgotten places, gallop over the alpine pastures or roam slowly, looking for old traditions.

For years working horses have out numbered motor vehicles, providing transportation for people and goods and cultivating fields. Food is grown and produced locally, using age-old methods. The hardworking, hospitable people gather in close communities where family and their horses is the centre of life.

Our ride features three different programmes; The Valley stationary programme (based stay), mountain trail and saxon trail (trails).

For full details visit our main rides page: http://www.farandride.com/ride/romania/transylvania+adventures

Katie Price Perfect Ponies competition winners have been chosen!

22/05/2008

The lucky winners of Katie Price's competition entered through her Katies perfect ponies website will be jetted off to their luxury, riding destination at Bordeaux Breaks in the South of France. Abbie and her family will be flying out in June to enjoy this fabulous prize courtesy of Far and Ride, experiencing the joys of riding in this fabulous French setting. A review from Abbie and her family will follow on their return back to England.

This ride is owned and run by a lovely English couple, they are genuinely very friendly, welcoming and fun people who have children of their own making them great at understanding the needs of younger guests. The winners accommodation will be in the self contained gite close to the main house. For others wishing to book this holiday, there is also the option of staying in in the main house on a full board basis. The kitchen in the gite is fully equipped with all modern appliances including a dishwasher.

This destination is nestled in the rolling hills of Aquitaine and situated within 40 minutes drive of the beautiful city of Bordeaux and just over an hour away from the superb sandy beaches of the west coast.

The village of Guitres (which has four bakeries) is two kms away and the local market town of Coutras is four kms away. There you will find a twice weekly market, a good selection of shops and a large modern supermarket, full of wonderful local produce and fabulous wines. Those wishing to do little more than ride will not be disappointed, as you can relax in the tranquil, secluded gardens or take a dip in the spacious swimming pool.

Please contact the office or look at Bordeaux Breaks, on our main rides page to see full details http://www.farandride.com/ride/france/bordeaux+breaks

Updated Special Offers!

20/05/2008

We are pleased to announce three special offers for rides in Argentina, Italy and South Africa.

1. Chianti, Italy - There is now a special offer on for a based stay riding trail (incl. six half days riding) for just £695 per person!!. Various dates in September available 2008 (see main rides page for full details)


2. Sierra Chicas, Argentina - In June, July and August 2008 we have a special offer where you can stay seven nights for the price of six making a saving of £175 per person!! The winter months here are fabulous for riding with dry mild days. (see main rides page for full details)

Call the office and speak to Sarah, she has recently come back from a trip to the Sierra Chicas, she will be happy to talk to you and share her brilliant reviews. (Written review to follow shortly)


3. Also Songimvelo, South Africa - We are pleased to tell you that we are giving a £250 per person discount on this fantastic safari!! Departure dates of 8-15 June and 22-29 June 2008. (see our ride of the week page for full details!)

New Rides for 2008!

20/05/2008

New rides added in Europe:

1. Andalucia Trail, Spain - Experience this unique trekking centre, based in the heart of Andalucia, made famous by its Moorish influences and impressive horses, where over 300 days of sunshine can be enjoyed a year. The centre offers three different programmes, the seven night Alpujarras trail, a three and a four day programme, with Spanish farmhouse accommodation and all meals included.

All rides can accommodate single travellers and cater for complete beginners to experienced riders. Children may join family treks, or, if over the age five, ride with other children of similar ages. Lessons can be given to adults and children aged four years and over (for full details and further images see our main rides page).


2. Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Croatia is located in South-Central Europe. Croatia offers fantastic, varied riding opportunities. Its terrain is diverse including: plains, lakes and rolling hills, perfect for horse riding and galloping across the plains. These areas can be most enjoyed and experienced on horseback (see image).

The country is famous for its many national parks (one national park of which can be visited on our horse riding trail). Around fourteen miles away from the region of Split you can enjoy our amazing and stunning Horse riding trails, along untouched natural treasures in the rural part inside Dalmatia (Dalmatinska Zagora) and the continental part of Croatia (Lika). These are suitable for all levels of riders.

Our ride features three different programmes, with two trails and a stationary programme to be enjoyed on this beautiful, almost untouched land of Croatia. Various dates available throughout 2008. (for full details and further images see our main rides page.)


.......Coming soon:

Worldwide holidays:

1. Also a new ride to be added for 2009 in Zambia. One of our South Africa rides will be building new permanent structures and a small lodge for two legged and four legged friends alike on the outskirts of Kafue National Park, this is the largest and oldest park in Zambia consisting of some 22,480 square kilometres and is based in the South West of Zambia itself. Not only is it a stunning part of Africa but we will also be based fairly close to Livingstone and Victoria Falls so there is a great opportunity for guests to see one of the wonders of the world after riding in the Real African Bush.

Kafue offers the Big Five apart from Rhino (which there are plans to reintroduce in the next couple of years), and there are immense herds of Buffalo and Elephant that wander across the open plains in the northern end of the park across the Busanga Plains.

It really is a very ‘large slice of heaven’ easily accessible by light aircraft from either Lusaka or Livingstone International Airport. Zambia was voted the 13th top country in the world to visit in 2006 – in short because of the availability of the Falls but also because this country promotes itself as the real Africa, all the wonderful smells, sights and sounds that assail you as soon as you step off the aircraft make you realise that you are seeing Africa as it should be, without fences and as natural as it was intended. English is typically their first language (although there are 70 indigenous languages!).

The concession area is adjacent to a lake called Itezhi-Tezhi and its varied shore line includes grassy banks cropped by hippo, rocky bays, and stretches of submerged trees which provide perfect perches for water birds, such as the fish eagle – the national symbol of Zambia, cormorant and a host of other birds. Full details to follow.

Sue visits Sardinia

17/04/2008

Earlier this year, I flew to the beautiful island of Sardinia to visit an equestrian centre that was still under construction on my last visit. Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean lying just west of Italy near the French island of Corsica.

Here I visited a centre which has been entertaining horse riders for 20 years but has recently opened fantastic new riding facilities, and we were excited to add it to our list of destinations. The complex is nestled amongst a pine forest on the Western coast, near the town of Oristano. Now one of the biggest riding centres in Europe it is open all year around.

Rachel is one of a number of qualified instructors who give lessons in all disciplines including jumping, dressage and western riding. She also takes trail rides out into the surrounding pine forests, to the flamingo lake and along the sandy beaches. There are several trails which explore the surrounding areas including one to a local fishing village at Marceddi.

I was taken to the Sartiglia horse tournament which is held in Oristano during the carnival period and is one of the celebrations held today to honour the horse and to mark its importance to the island. It is one of the most important events in popular Sardinian tradition. Every year the event attracts thousands of people who gather along the main streets of Oristano to support the knights who are the main characters in this fascinating and nowadays rare horse race.

The participants of the parade are teams of three horses and their knights all decked out in their own colours. Their aim is to spear with a lance, at full gallop, a pierced star hanging along the circuit. The fair begins with a dressing of the Componidori, the leader, who wears garments of both male and female clothing and it finished with a magnificent display of acrobatic riding - again at full speed.

Before this splendid event we were taken to see the horses and knights being prepared and dressed in their team colours for the occasion. Our guide Marcello from the centre had previously ridden in the Sartiglia and was able to take us to several team stables. Each stable had hundreds of visitors and food and drink was in abundance. Sardinian hospitality is second to none and glasses are not allowed to be empty. If you time your trip, as I did, to coincide with the Sartiglia then a guided visit can be arranged.

Sunshine at the Chateau (23/06/2008)
New!! Costa Rica ride now on! Mountain and Beach ride. (10/06/2008)
Romania Ride Now On!! (30/05/2008)
Katie Price Perfect Ponies competition winners have been chosen! (22/05/2008)
Updated Special Offers! (20/05/2008)
New Rides for 2008! (20/05/2008)
Sue visits Sardinia (17/04/2008)

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