Ride Description

This is relaxing informal holiday for intermediate and experienced riders at Finca Romeros which is situated in a fantastic location overlooking the coast and unspoilt beaches of Cape Trafalgar. The holiday caters for small groups or single riders who will soon feel at home. The Finca has been run by the same English lady since 1989 who has the experience and expertise to make your holiday very special.

Penny is able to match each rider with a suitable horse for their riding ability and preference. Less confident riders and those with less experience will soon feel comfortable as great care is taken to chose the right horse and, if you wish, you can try a different horse so you feel totally at ease when you ride.

Your host either leads the ride herself or she has a team of experienced British guides who know the area well. Some of these are previous guests who have loved it so much they have returned to live locally and to help at the Finca. On most occasions a second guide also rides with the group.

The experienced escorts are familiar with the local language, countryside and terrain, and ensure that the riders have fun and enjoy their riding and, at the same time, they place emphasis on safe riding and the horses' well being.

The rides from the stables are varied, covering a wide range of local countryside - through the Parque Natural of the Mediterranean pine forest, rural countryside and along empty beaches whenever possible. The terrain provides the opportunity for exhilarating riding – along sandy forest tracks for long canters and wide firebreaks for gallops. The rides are usually between four and five hours so riders must be fairly fit to participate in all the rides. The rides usually feature a welcome bar stop for refreshment and a late lunch is taken back at the Finca.

The horses here are local Andalucians who are renowned for their wonderful temperament and spirit and some of these have been bred by the owner. Most of the horses have been with her for most of their life and their ages range from four years to the steady older favourites. In 2004 a new horse was introduced to cater for the heavier rider. The horses are in excellent condition and high standards of horse care are maintained. The horses are looked after by qualified grooms, and well maintained English saddles and tack are used. However the atmosphere is relaxed and informal, and if you wish to help groom and tack up your horse, you will be welcome to do so, with help where necessary.

There are brood mares and youngsters, dogs, cats, chickens and ducks here to complete the menagerie - all available for photos and hugs.

The summers along the Costa de la Luz are long and hot and the winters are mild. Over the winter months the average temperature does not drop below 13C so you can ride here all year around. The Finca is open at Christmas where you are guaranteed to have fun. A special Christmas ride takes place along the beach with the horses and riders decked out in festive attire. After a few drinks at the local bar on the way home– a traditional Christmas lunch is served back at the Finca .

Spring and autumn are excellent seasons for riding with an average daily high of 16C in April and November and 20C in May and October. In the height of summer the average temperature is 25C although it often reaches 35C so the cooling breeze that blows in off the Atlantic is most welcome. In high summer the riding hours may be reduced because of the hot weather and riding is restricted to the cooler mornings. The cost of the holiday is adjusted accordingly.

Due to Spanish law now being strictly enforced we regret no beach rides are available between 1st June - 30th September. This affects ALL riding in Spain. Beach rides are available outside these dates.

Food & Accommodation

The chalet bedrooms overlook the pretty garden and swimming pool. All have en-suite facilities and are twin bedded. One room has three beds suitable for a family. The bedrooms are simply furnished in typical Spanish style and are cool in the hot weather. They have a shaded patio which has wonderful views of the sea. At the end of the chalets is the free bar so you are able to help yourself to a cool beer after a long ride or take an aperitif to enjoy on your patio.

Dinner and breakfast are taken at the Finca, either in the shaded patio garden during the summer months, or in the covered terrace in the winter. Lunches are also served here but can be a picnic or barbecue taken en route.

A good range of freshly cooked meals including plenty of fresh seafood and other tasty Spanish dishes are available. Vegetarians are also well catered for. Wine, soft drinks and after dinner liqueurs are included. There are also free drinks at the poolside bar. The only drinks you have to pay for are those at bars along the trails and these cost very little.

Activities

Andalucia has much more under the sun than flamenco music and impressive Moorish cities and culture. Almost one-fifth of Andalucia's total area has protected status, with the variety of habitats, from wetlands to desert, making it an interesting place for bird-watching. Birdwise, something always happens in Andalucia. Many birds return much earlier after winter because of the moderate Mediterranean climate. Migration can be followed throughout the year, with peak numbers present in spring and autumn. The Tarifa area is a prime location for all migratory birds. It is said that the number of birds in transit in that area is higher than the number passing the Bosporus in Greece.

Walking through the forest is a lovely experience – the trails are sandy and there is an interesting and diverse plantlife amongst which wild herbs are to be found. You can take a walk through the forest down to the beach in thirty minutes. The beaches are wonderful and ideal for activities including surfing and wind surfing.

The more active can hire a mountain bike and a guided tour can be arranged. Alternatively the more ambitious can arrange a day trip to Morocco and sample a completely different culture. We can arrange car hire so you can visit the historic hill top town of Vejer de la Frontera or the city of Cadiz.

A visit to Jerez de la Frontera to see the famous stallions of the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art is recommended on the horse's rest day and even non riders will find this enjoyable.

Those interested in golf can take advantage of the wonderful golf courses in the area.

The swimming pool is open from April to October

Horses

Type of horses: Andalucian

Nature of horses: Horses to suit all abilities. Kind temperament

Number of horses: 19

Height of horses: 14.2 - 15.3hh

Weight limit: 82 kg.

Tack type: English

Further Details

Languages: Many people speak English and your guide will be English but fluent in Spanish.

Health requirements: No special vaccinations are required. We recommend a reasonable level of fitness.

Age limit: Experienced riders of 12 years and over

Tuition: No

Included: All food, accommodation, drinks and riding. Transfer to and from Jerez on the morning flight.

Not included: Car hire rental can be arranged. Drinks on the trail and the day trip to Jerez . (The visit to Jerez for the performance at the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art and a lunch out costs 50 euros to be paid locally.

Travel Information

There are several flights to Jerez but Ryanair from Stansted run a service that is competitively priced and reliable. Transfer from Jerez arriving on the morning flight is included but a charge will be implemented if you require transfer on the later flight from Jerez.

Transfers from Jerez at other times costs 70 euros per car which can be split amongst the guests.

We can arrange your transfer to and from Gibraltar. BA fly there from Gatwick We are also pleased to hear that Easyjet will now be flying into Gibraltar from March . We can arrange your transfer and it will cost 100 euros each way for a taxi transfer. Monarch also fly to Gibraltar from Luton.

We can recommend car hire companies so please contact us for details. This would also give you the opportunity to fly into Malaga where many of the budget airlines fly into. The drive from Malaga to the Finca is very scenic.

Airport: Jerez (XRY)

Airport 2: Gibraltar (GIB)

Finca Romeros

On your first day you will enjoy your drive from one of the airports either Jerez or Gibraltar. You will have time to unpack and enjoy a leisurely drink before a delicious dinner. Please note that if you arrive on a late evening flight, due to the very late arrival time, we presume that you have eaten dinner either at the airport or on the flight. However, you will certainly get a welcome drink.

On the following day after breakfast you will be introduced to your horse and enjoy a trek through part of the National Park Forest. The ride today is not too long so we can see if you and your horse are happy together. You will be back in time for a late lunch and you can then enjoy a swim or stroll to the beach or maybe just sit in the sunshine.

During the week you will take a different trail each day into the National Park and pine forests. On one of the days you will ride to the village of San Ambrosio to a restored monastery that is home to the biggest dovecote in Europe. There is a convenient resting place for the horses in the shade whilst you enjoy refreshments and take a look around the dovecote and enjoy the tranquility and the views.

Another trail takes you down the old Roman road along the coast with fantastic view of Tarifa and Sierra. There is a wonderful photo opportunity when you stop in the shade of the forest of the Torre de Tajo that is an old look out tower with the most amazing views out to sea. Every day you will ride on a different trail.

On the last day of riding, depending on the time of year, you will have another gallop either along the beach or on the sandy tracks in the forest. You will then ride to San Ambrosio and enjoy refreshment at Venta Luis. After your break you can gallop through the eucalyptus trees to a viewpoint at Torre de Meca where there are fantastic views over Cape Trafalgar - another great photo opportunity. Back to the Finca for a very late lunch and a last afternoon by the pool or for any other activity.

There is no riding on Saturday - the day of arrival and departure.

On the horse's rest day you can join the escorted trip to Jerez de la Frontera to see a performance of the world famous Royal Andalucian Equestrian School. Before the performance you are able to wander around and watch the horses in training. This is a wonderful experience and you are able to take photographs at that stage. After the performance you can visit a traditional tack shop and sample different sherries from the traditional bodegas in the town. Lunch is followed at a local tapas bar. On the drive home you stop and look around a ceramic shop and garden centre. You arrive back at the Finca in time for a drink in the lovely garden. This is a great day out!

There is no beach riding June - September as Spanish law forbids riding on beaches during this period and this was strictly enforced in 2003. However you will still be able to ride along coastal tracks and benefit from the sea views and breezes. There are still wonderful sandy gallops through the forest all the year around so your riding can be just as enjoyable.

Accommodation: The chalet bedrooms overlook the pretty garden and swimming pool. All seven have en-suite facilities and are twin bedded. One room has three beds suitable for a family. The bedrooms are simply furnished in typical Spanish style and are cool in the hot weather. They have a shaded patio which has wonderful views of the sea. At the end of the chalets is the free bar so you are able to help yourself to a cool beer after a long ride or take an aperitif to enjoy on your patio.

Minimum group size: 2

Maximum group size: 6

Ability description: Trot, canter and gallop if applicable

Type of ride: Based

Total riding time: 4-5 hours per day (except for high summer when the hours are reduced)

Departure dates: Saturday to Saturday unless by prior arrangement. See prices for up to date availability

Pricing: £725 June 7, 14, 21, 28
£650 July 5, 12, 19, 26
£650 August 2, 9 (Fully booked), 16 (Fully booked), 23
£685 August 30
£685 September 6, 13, 20, 27 (Fully booked)
£755 October 4 (3 places left), 11, 28, 25
£590 November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
£590 December 6, 13

Christmas/New Year dates to suit
Non-riders £395