General Info

Horse Riding Spain in the Gredos, a hidden gem, where you can ride back in time to a tasty and traditional region of Spain.

The Gredos rides are located between the historic towns of Avila, Segovia, Salamanca and Toledo, just west of Madrid, taking you through the Castile region of Spain. Enjoy charming accommodations, gourmet food and wines, hospitality and attention to the detail for a truly memorable equestrian vacation in Spain.


The terrain is excellent and varied for horse riding holidays in Spain, with mostly open fields, magnificent views, and ancient paths that follow the course of the rivers. The small medieval villages along these trails have had their architecture shaped by their unique surroundings. You'll experience splendid panoramic views and idyllic valleys where cattle and horses graze amid pristine mountain streams and rivers.

The remote medieval villages you'll discover on horseback display the architecture, the history, the traditions and the way of life of the people isolated in this rural area of Spain. The Sierra de Gredos Mountain Range, situated southwest of Madrid has Regional Park Status. Trails in the Gredos take you through a typical, rural area of Avila. Originally, only shepherds moving their flocks had reached the remote alpine valleys of this mountain range. It wasn't until 1905 that the Sierra de Gredos became an area of interest when King Alfonso XIII created the Gredos hunting reserve in an attempt to protect the wild Spanish Ibex, of which only a few were left.

Today the Gredos Mountains have one of the largest remaining populations of this goat and it is thanks to Alfonso XII that there are now byways in place to reach the highest peaks of the Gredos, its glaciers and its lagoon (Laguna Grande). Roman roads can also be seen here, as although they did not settle in the Gredos, they created mountain passes for the movement of troops. The medieval town of Avila is surrounded by walls constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries. It was and still is a very religious place, with a grand gothic cathedral, charming squares and beautiful, quiet streets, which are very pleasant for walking around the historic city.

As riders explore this fascinating part of Spain, they will be impressed by the diverse display of flora and fauna through the Tormes, Corneja, Alberche and Tietar river valleys. The landscapes here are full of light and color, where wild nature shows its splendor. There are opportunities to ride up slopes of oak, pine and chestnut trees, cross rivers of pristine waters, discover wildlife from rocky overlooks and gallop across pastures and open fields.

The Good Life

This is an inn-to-inn equestrian vacation. Every evening riders will arrive to a different charming area on horseback, right to the entrance of the hotel. At every place, your guides have organized nice fields for the horses to spend the night. You may enjoy a view of the horses from your room’s window. In one of the hotels, horses actually come to the window and wake you up in the morning!

Guides
María Elena and her team lead the Gredos rides. María Elena is a qualified equestrian guide and riding instructor. She decided to leave her job in marketing with an American multinational company to pursue her passion for horses and travel. She is fluent in English and French and loves painting too. Before she decided to start this "life adventure", she participated in riding tours in different parts of the world: France, Tunisia, Argentina, the U.S., Australia, Bostwana... and more and recently in other countries including South Africa and Jordan.

She is a terrific travel companion, passionate about her horses and the Gredos - and about all the good things in life. She knows the customs, the natural history and the culture of the regions, and shares this with you on your adventure, so reach a unique level of cultural participation. Her team consists of two or three young helpers, which come for the season every year from different countries (they always speak very good English). Two local guys help at the stables, with the horses and the maintenance.


Responsible Tourism

This outfitter is a member of the permanent forum of the Gredos Nature Park. They are 
involved in the conservation project and in the development of responsible and sustainable tourism. The Gredos Park has applied to be a member of the Europarc Federation and is working within the European Charter for sustainable tourism in protected areas.


The outfitter supports the local economy with their rides. All suppliers are local
 and they use local tack shop
s, products, hotels and more. You'll stay at the National Parador, which is state owned and employs at lest 50 people from the village (which is their policy).  All the other hotels are run directly by locals.


Most of the picnics are prepared by the local bars of the villages we ride through.
 Support vehicle are regularly checked for emissions, but the rides do not requires transport of the guests, as you ride to the hotels where you and the horses stay, and the vehicle only does the strictly necessary mileage to support the ride.


Waste is minimized on rides. 
Picnics are had using crockery, cutlery, and glasses. Maria Elena does not use plastic and recycles all that can be recycled. She believes that these small measures do add up, and it means you can feel like a responsible traveler on her horseback riding vacations.

This is a very unspoiled part of the world and hopefully it will remain like that for future horse riding Spain adventures.
 

Packing

What to Pack for your Horse Riding Holidays in Spain

Climate
The climate in the Gredos is influenced by the altitude at which you ride, which ranges from 3000 to 5000 feet. Spring rides are spectacular with millions of wild flowers and snow in the mountains from May until late June. Summers are warm and sunny, with cool evenings and great swims in the pristine rivers. Early spring and autumn are cooler but every season is spectacular in the Gredos

The principle of “layers” is always very convenient, any time of the year.

This outfitter suggests the following

Riding
• Jodphurs or riding breeches
• Half chaps and short riding boots with a good sole (don’t try new boots for a riding holiday)
• Long sleeve shirts and T-shirts
• Waistcoat (warmer or lighter depending on the time of the year)
• Warm or light fleece (depending on the time of the year)
• Decent rain jacket, warm or light (depending on the time of the year)
• Light rain trousers
• Sun hat with a brim and sun glasses
• Riding helmet (a few helmets are available at the riding centre). Not mandatory but advisable.
• Riding gloves

Other
Casual clothes for the evenings
Swimsuit (swims in the river, spa, hotel with pool and spa)
Flip-flops or sandals, especially in the summer for the picnics by the river
Sunscreen and lip balm

Seat savers are provided
Small saddle bags are provided to carry only small things while riding
 

About the Horses

Excellent well-bred Hispano-Arab, Andalusian, Lusitano and Arab horses, about 15-16hh. Very well trained, sure-footed, good-natured, well behaved, fit and fun to ride. They are all loved and you will feel it when you ride and when you are with them. The outfitter takes great pride in their ability to match horse and rider. All of the horses have a basic training in dressage and will fulfill experienced riders' expectations. Horses are responsive to the English way of riding, but they are very responsive to weight and the seat and you can neck rein as well, always with a light contact with their mouths.

The horses (21 horses in 2010) are the "professionals" of the long week rides. The outfitter only dedicates their horses to trekking, as these horses like this kind of work and being out in nature. They have the best life horses can have and enjoy long periods in beautiful mountain pastures and open fields.

The outfitter firmly believes that the horses enjoy the rides and the nice fields in all the different places where you'll stay. The fact that pretty competent riders ride them, keeps them lively and sensitive. 
 

Activities/Events

Cultural visits and events

The towns of Madrid, Avila, Segovia, Salamanca and Toledo can be visited before or after the ride. They are all within a 2 hour drive from where this riding holiday takes place.

A short visit of Avila is included in The Valleys of Gredos ride. A day in Avila is included in the Sierra de Gredos Summer ride.

Julie, who books these riding vacations, can help with bookings and recommendations extra days before or after the ride.

Avila
Avila is a medieval walled town that is one of the World Heritage Cities of Spain, one of the 660 cultural sites in the world that the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value. Avila is the “City of Saints and Stones”. The birthplace of St Theresa and the burial place of the Grand Inquisitor Torquemada. Avila has kept its medieval austerity. This purity of form can still be seen in the Gothic cathedral and the fortifications which are the most complete in Spain. Charming squares and beautiful quiet pedestrian streets for a very pleasant walk around this old historic town. Consider adding on days to spend more time visiting this historic town.
 

Accommodations/Food

Accommodation on the Gredos rides has been carefully selected, for its quality, character, history, and for its warm welcome to the riders and to the horses.

Your accommodation will range from small charming country hotels to luxurious historic hotels, always very comfortable and all with en-suite bathrooms. This may include the luxurious National Parador (state owned historic hotels) in a hunting lodge built by the king Alfonso 13th, a 4* country estate hotel in a 16th century house with spa and swimming pool, or a small charming six bedroom hotel with an excellent cuisine.

At the end of a day in the saddle, you will look forward to arriving at a new hotel, and, wherever that is, you can count on a warm welcome, drinks - of course!, a hot bath, and an excellent dinner. So the next morning, you will be fresh again and ready for a new journey on horseback. This is an inn to inn ride, so every evening you will discover a different charming place. You'll ride your horse right to the entrance of the hotel. At every place, the outfitter has made sure that there are nice fields for the horses to spend the night, and riders will enjoy a view of the horses from the room’s window. In one of the hotels, horses actually come to the window and wake you up in the morning!

The cuisine of the region is excellent with top-quality products and much consideration is taken when planning the meals to provide visitors with a sampling of the many different delicious specialties, including wines from Ribera del Duero, produced in the region, and wines from la Rioja.

Everyday there is an aperitif stop, mid-morning, which includes some of the following: Iberico ham, chorizo and saucisson, a sample of cheeses produced in the region: fresh and cured goat cheese, manchego cheese, sheep cheese in olive oil... and a variety of olives. You will always be offered a cold young sherry "manzanilla" with the aperitif (other drinks are available too).

Picnic lunches are a feast, some cooked on the spot like the barbecues of famous Avilian free-range beef or the Iberian pork; other days, you will have some pre-cooked food in the local bar of the village. Everyday there is a rich variety of salads and tasty tomatoes, and fruit of the season as dessert (strawberries, melon, grapes, and more). For the picnic lunches, tables are laid out and food is served.

All the aperitif and lunch spots have been carefully selected for best views and scenery, so while you enjoy the aperitifs and the meals, you will always be surrounded by the horses at rest and beauty. Picnic lunches are always relaxed, very friendly and sociable, as this meal is a very important part of the Spanish culture. Lunches are followed by a “siesta” – of course!

Vegetarians and other special diets can be accommodated with early notice. Alcohol is included in all the meals (sherry, beer, white & red wines) Drinks at the hotels before or after dinner are not included.
 

The Ideal Traveler

Foodies, history buffs, someone who loves Spain or wants to take a riding vacation in a beautiful, traditional part of Spain. 

Groups are small with 4-10 members. Single travelers, groups and couples from all walks of life take these rides. They all have in common their love for the horses, the nature and the enthusiasm to enjoy the discovery of foreign traditions.

The atmosphere in our rides is very relaxed and very sociable. Riders often make new friends and stay in touch. Maria Elena, the ride organizer, is wonderfully hospitable and has great horses, which is why many riders come back year after year.

These horse riding holidays in Spain are geared towards the competent rider and suit those with a reasonable amount of riding experience. On all trips, you will be riding for about five or six hours a day and so a reasonable level of riding fitness will ensure you get the most from your holiday.
 

The Valleys of Gredos 8 days

The Valleys of Gredos is an inn to inn ride. You'll ride horses through a traditional region in the province of Avila, where there is wonderful cuisine, history and culture. It is an excellent terrain for riding, mostly open fields with magnificent views and paths that follow rivers, leading to small villages.

8 days/ 7 nights / 6 days riding

Dates 2012
 April 8-15, April 22-29, May 6-13, May 20-27, June 3-10, June 17-24, Aug 26-Sept 2, Sept 9-16, Sept 23-30, Oct 7-14, Oct 21-28

Rates 2012
$2,413 USD pp* (1764 Euros ) 
Single room supplement $267USD* (195 Euros)

* Price is subject to change due to currency conversions.

Prices Include
Transfers from/to the Madrid meeting point are included; accommodation in comfortable and charming hotels, including the luxurious Parador of Gredos; days riding with expert guides; excellent leather English GP saddles (small saddle bags and seat savers are provided; all the meals are included: excellent gourmet picnic lunches; aperitifs and tapas; dinners in the hotels; all the drinks are included during the meals (white and red wine, sherry a the aperitifs; beer, soft drinks...) A support vehicle and 1 or 2 helpers – to transport the luggage and prepare the lunches (with set tables, chairs, etc). A very limited amount of additional money is needed for the week.

Meeting Point
Madrid. Riders will be met at the Madrid-Barajas International Airport.  Terminal 4, arrivals gate 10, at the cafeteria Medas (by gate 10). At 3pm, on the first date of the chosen week (always a Sunday). Departure on the Sunday after the ride: any flight after 1:00pm

Riding Level
It is not necessary to be an expert rider but it is essential that riders have trail riding experience, can easily manage a horse at all paces and be familiar and comfortable handling a horse on the ground. The pace of the ride will vary, but the ride includes walks, trots, canters and gallops depending on the terrain. A level of fitness is required, as the days are 4-6 hours. Riders can take care of their horses if they wish - but it is not necessary. Horses will be ready for the riders to get on every morning.

Accommodations and Food
The selection of the accommodation and the service in every aspect of the ride is of outstanding quality. Lodging is planned in some luxurious inns, with character, and some small and charming country hotels, providing double or twin-bed rooms and en-suite baths. First, second and last nights are spent at the National Parador of Gredos, an ancient hunting lodge built by the king Alfonso 13th, the first Parador opened in Spain. One night is spent at the Hotel Puerta de Gredos (a 4 star hotel) built in a grand XVIth century country estate. Other accommodations will be comfortable rural hotels, like La Trocha de Hoyorredondo, where the horses sleep in the backyard and come to the windows to wake up the riders in the morning. Single accommodations can be arranged at an additional charge.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Madrid - Navarredonda De Gredos 
Transfer from Madrid (Pick up at 3pm) to the Parador of Gredos
Meet in Madrid and transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos (2 hour drive), a small village in the heart of Castile with a splendid view of the Sierra de Gredos. This is a region steeped in history, where the Moors and Christians fought and where Romans built roads that have lasted for centuries. Riders will enjoy a welcome dinner and night at the Gredos National Parador.

Day 2 Pinewoods and Summer Pasture 
Circle ride from Navarredonda, an easy introductory day, with a picnic lunch in the countryside.
Ride through pine woods, open fields and trails, towards the mountains with great views of the Sierra de Gredos. Picnic lunch in the countryside – a paella cooked on the spot. In the afternoon ride back to the stables in Navarredonda, returning for dinner and overnight as the previous night.

This day is a short ride so riders and horses get used to each other. If any change of horse is necessary, it can be done before leaving the next day and for the rest of the ride. A nice small Spa has been opened in the next village (5 min away). It is possible to arrange a session - a special rider’s massage - in the evening before dinner.

Day 3 Along the Tormes River 
Morning through woods and beautiful meadows in the Tormes river valley. Follow the course of the Tormes River. Lunch at the Pozo de las Paredes, a magic spot at the gorge of Barbellido, which joins the Tormes River. This spot is ideal for a swim in summer. In the afternoon, riders will follow the cattle path, with great views, to Navalperal the Tormes.

This night riders will stay at a new rural hotel: Hotel Rural Cruz del Gallo, a new small hotel, near the Tormes River.

Day 4 The Cattle Path to El Barco de Avila  
Half day ride.
This day it will be a long half day ride. It is a progressive ride to get to El Barco.

A ride along the Tormes River valley, along cattle paths, passing the village of Aliseda de Tormes. Riders will appreciate the change in the vegetation as they will approach the small town of El Barco de Avila. The hotel in Barco de Avila is a country hotel, a luxurious hotel built as a restoration of a ancient country estate. The hotel has a spa and an indoor heated pool, a good chance for a rest to be fresh for the rest of the ride.

Afternoon free to visit El Barco de Avila or just relax in the hotel. El Barco de Avila is a 15th century walled village with a medieval bridge stretching over the Tormes.

Day 5 Into the Province of Salamanca
Today’s ride proceeds through holm oaks woods and pastures, following the cattle track between Barco and Hoyorredondo, arriving in Puente del Congosto, with a XVth century bridge and castle for lunch. Picnic near the river – a beautiful spot for a swim in the summer. In the afternoon there will be a fun short ride to Hoyorredondo. Night at a beautiful and comfortable rural hotel.

Day 6 RIver Valleys and Mountains 
A day with great contrasts in the landscape. The ride starts in the valley of the Corneja River on open flat valleys until you reach the aperitif stop. Follow the Corneja River to its source, and stop for lunch near one of the water mills along the river. In the afternoon, follow a Roman road up to the Puerto de Chia (5,686 feet) for a panoramic view of the Corneja Valley on one side, and the Alberche River on the other. Descend to San Martin de la Vega where the horses will spend the night. Short transfer to a charming rural hotel in Barajas de Gredos.

Day 7 Views of the Sierra de Gredos 
Ride back to the Sierra de Gredos, with some great views of the peaks of the Sierra. Descent towards the Tormes valley where you started. Picnic lunch with panoramic views of the Sierra de Gredos. Short afternoon ride with some good canters, back to the stables. Night and farewell dinner at the Parador.

Day 8 Navarredonda - Madrid 
After breakfast transfer to Madrid, arriving there about 12 noon. All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid prior to noon, all riders will depart earlier - or we will arrange an alternative transfer (at an extra cost).

* This itinerary is subject to changes based on the weather and trip guide's discretion. The pace of the ride varies with the terrain. Overall it is a moderate pace, with some slow parts due to the mountainous terrain. There are open areas through the valleys where it is possible to canter with excellent tracks for exciting rides. The average riding time is five to six hours per day. The total distance of the trip is about 110 miles.

Sierra de Gredos Summer 8 Days

Ride horses through a traditional region in the province of Avila, where there is wonderful cuisine, history and culture on an inn to inn ride this summer in Spain. This ride includes a day in Avila, a World Heritage City of Spain.

2012 Dates & Rates
8 days/ 7 nights/ 5 days riding with 1 day in Avila
July 15-22, July 22-29, July 29-August 5, August 5-12

$1,845 USD* (1349 Euros) 
Single room supplement $232 USD* (169 Euros)

Option – Paradores: $319 USD (233 Euros). Extra supplement single room $87 USD (65 Euros)

* Price is subject to change based on currency conversions.

Price Includes
Transfers from/to meeting point in Madrid are included; accommodation in comfortable and charming hotels, including the luxurious Parador of Gredos; days riding with expert guides; excellent leather English GP saddles (small saddle bags and seat savers are provided; all the meals are included: excellent gourmet picnic lunches; aperitifs and tapas; dinners in the hotels; all the drinks are included during the meals (white and red wine, sherry a the aperitifs; beer, soft drinks...) A support vehicle and 1 or 2 helpers – to transport the luggage and prepare the lunches (with set tables, chairs, etc). A very limited amount of money is needed for the week.

• Option 1: Paradores

Five nights are spent at the National Parador of Gredos, an ancient hunting lodge built by the king Alfonso 13th and the first Parador opened in Spain. Other accommodations will be comfortable rural hotels. One night at a charming country hotel in the village of Navalperal de Tormes. The last night in Avila is spent at the luxurious Parador of Avila, a 16th century Palace in the historical centre of monumental Ávila, backing onto the majestic city walls.

• Option 2: Rural hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos and 2* hotel in Avila.
Five nights accommodation in a comfortable and family run hotel in the village. One night at a charming country hotel in the village of Navalperal de Tormes. The last night in Avila will be at a charming hotel in Avila , very well located in the heart of the old town, near the cathedral.

Single accommodations can be arranged in any of the options at an additional charge. 

Sample Itinerary

Day 1- Sunday Madrid - Navarredonda De Gredos
Meet in Madrid (Pick up at 3pm at the airport) and transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos (2 hour drive), a small village in the heart of Castile with a splendid view of the Sierra de Gredos. This is a region steeped in history, where the Moors and Christians fought and where Romans built roads that have lasted for centuries. Riders will enjoy a welcome dinner and night at the (luxurious National Parador of Gredos) (comfortable country hotel).

Day 2- Monday Navarredonda De Gredos
Circle ride from Navarredonda, an easy introductory day, with a picnic lunch in the countryside, where Emilio will cook an excellent paella. Riding in the woods and towards the source of the Tormes River and alpine pastures of the Sierra de Gredos. In the afternoon ride back to the stables in Navarredonda, returning for dinner and overnight to the Parador of Gredos (or at a hotel rural in the village).

Day 3- Tuesday Navalperal de Tormes 
Morning along the river to Hoyos del Espino and climb up to Hoyos del Collado. Ride along an ancient cattle path to Navacepeda de Tormes. Descend towards the Tormes river and the Gorge of Barbellido. Luch at the beautiful Pozo de las Paredes, a natural swimming pool” bordered by immense granite walls and a Roman brigde, deal for a swim! Short afternoon with magnificent views to the village of Navalperal de Tormes. Dinner and night at a country hotel in the village.

Day 4- Wednesday Navacepeda de Torme
From Navalperal, follow the cattle path to Navacepeda de Tormes. Then join the course of the Tormes. Lunch at a fisherman’s hut at Hoyos del Collado. This is another ideal river for a swim. Afternoon by the river and through the pinewoods to get back to the stables in Navarredonda. Dinner and overnight at the Parador of Gredos (or at a hotel rural in the village).

Day 5- Thursday San Martin de la Vega  
In the morning, climb to the heights of Cañada del Horno through open fields and dense broom areas, with a great panoramic view of the Alberche river valley. Lunch at a bar in the village. This afternoon, enjoy great views of the Sierra de Gredos. Descend back towards Barajas de Gredos and the stables in Navarredonda. Dinner and overnight at the Parador of Gredos (or at a hotel rural in the village).

Day 6- Friday Barbellido Mountain Gorge 
Ride towards the heights of the Sierra de Gredos with magnificent views.. Climb to the Covacha gorge and descend towards the gorge of Barbellido. Lunch by the river, an excellent spot for a swim. This afternoon, climb to the heights of Siete Fuentes and down to the pinewoods of Hoyos del Espino. Ride back to the stables in Navarredonda de Gredos. Dinner and overnight at the Parador of Gredos (or at a hotel rural in the village).

Day 7- Saturday Avila 
Transfer to Ávila (1 hour drive). Day in Avila to visit this historic walled town from the 11th century. Avila is one of the World Heritage Cities of Spain, one of the 660 cultural sites in the world that the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value. Recommendations for visits, tours and restaurants in Avila will be provided to the guests. Avila has a high number of churches (romanesque and gothic) and is notable for having complete medieval city walls. (Lunch this day is not included)  Dinner and night at the chosen hotel in Ávila.

The National Parador of Avila. (4* Parador). This Parador is a 16th century palace in the historical centre of monumental Ávila, backing onto the majestic city walls. Dinner, night and Sunday breakfast at this luxurious Parador are included in the programme.

OR
Hotel Las Cancelas 2* has great location near the cathedral and a great open air restaurant by the walls.

Day 8- Sunday Avila to Madrid
Transfer to the Madrid airport (in time for flights after 1pm) or have Julie extend your stay in Spain. Contact us for more information.

* This itinerary is subject to changes based on the weather and trip guide's discretion. 

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Traveler Reviews

I can't thank you enough for a wonderful, wonderful riding vacation. It was the best ride we have been on. Your thoughtful attention to every detail made the difference. It is always a determining factor with us when the horses are so well cared for, and cared about. I loved riding Ur. He is such a character, and his wonderful, comfortable canter, made all the long canters so much fun, especially for someone who NEVER rides like that! I wish he was ready for retirement -- I have just the place for him!!
It was delightful meeting you. Thanks, again.

Sharon, USA

This is just to say thank you so much for a brilliant week. The horses were magnificent. All your organisation: of the routes, the accommodation, the lunches, the aperitifos and the swims was outstanding. Above all you and your team were charming, caring and most hospitable. We couldn't have enjoyed our time with you more, and are already working out how soon we can come back for more. I can see just how much work you all put into arranging the trips - the result is a great success.
Thank you so much for everything.
With very best wishes

Dai & Loraine, UK

We had the best possible time in the Gredos mountains and you were absolutely brilliant. Peter and I are now hooked on riding holidays! I have hardly ever been on such a beautifully organized holiday, everything worked absolutely seamlessly, but I know that when something seems so effortless there is a fantastic lot of work going on behind the scenes! You really do run a remarkable outfit. Hopefully one day we will be back.

Many many thanks and I hope you have a wonderful season, love Gentian

Gentian Jones - Davies UK

That was the most wonderful ride. How we all enjoyed it!!!!!!! You took care of every little detail so we didn't worry about a thing. The horses were well trained and very capable of doing their job safely and efficiently. Their tack was in excellent condition. Everything about your stable showed how much you care about the riders and the horses. Meals were fantastic. You made it fun, we appreciated all your cooking and generosity with food and wine. It was such a good time plus we got in lots of riding over different kinds of terrain, through quaint villages, along picturesque streams and rivers, through pastures and forests. I loved riding in sight of so many mares and foals. What beautiful horses they all were!

I could go on and on about how wonderful it all was and have been regaling family and friends with stories ever since I came home. We had such a good time, we are planning on coming again in a couple of years and will try to bring more with us. Thank you so very much for the experience of a lifetime.

Claire, USA

We can't thank you enough for everything you did to give us such a wonderful time on the ride last week. We both enjoyed every minute,& seeing all that beautiful Spanish countryside & even getting wet!! & you couldn't have looked after us all better. We loved our horses, & you were SO clever at fitting the rider to the horse!! Nothing was too much trouble for you & we are most grateful for all you did for us, would you please pass on our thanks to your girls. We are recommending your ride to all our friends!
Hope we might see you again someday, & once again many thank for a memorable holiday. Love from

Jenny & Richard, UK

Just want you to know that we had a really fabulous trip. You outdid yourself. We loved the country, the fit horses who were so well taken care of, the wonderful meals, our small rural hotel and its cuisine, Avila and of course your great personality. It all worked well, even after my rocky start. We are talking it up and hope we can get you some customers. Take care.

Judy, USA

Thank you for the most wonderful riding holiday! I enjoyed every minute of it and am missing George already! We were so lucky with the weather and having such a good group and the countryside was so beautiful. Again many thanks for a really amazing time.
Much love,

Sabina[Sabby], UK

Many thanks again to you and your girls for a really relaxing and beautiful holiday. We really appreciated the attention to detail that made our holiday flow so well and it really met our every wish for our perfect horsey holiday.
Best Wishes,

Jo and Hywel, UK

I just wanted to thank you for the most wonderful holiday ever.
Everything was perfect - exciting and varied rides, beautiful horses, fantastic scenery, wonderful food and drink, great company, classic hotels and you even managed to lay on spectacular weather. I had such an enjoyable and relaxing time. Your organisation and personal attention was outstanding - I couldn't have asked for more and I guarantee that I will be back next year, hopefully with a group of friends. Please pass on my thanks to the girls
Muchas, muchas gracias y hasta el proximo ano

Chio Mic, UK-Egypt

Reading List

Spain Guidebook

Fodor's Spain 2011 (Fodor's Gold Guides) (Paperback) by Fodor’s
Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in Spain! Updated annually, Fodor’s Spain provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook. Fodor’s Spain features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime. 8-pg. color insert; full-color pullout map

Literature

The Sun Also Rises (Paperback) by Ernest Hemingway
Equitrekking Host Darley Newman’s Pick: “Travel through 1920’s Paris and Spain with Hemingway’s quirky cast of ex-pats as they feast on decadent food and wine, take on nightlife in Paris, fish in Basque country and witness the running of the bulls in Pamplona. Though it was written decades ago, Hemingway’s story and descriptions of life in Spain still resonate today. I recently reread this book. I remember enjoying it when it was required reading in high school, but enjoyed it even more after traveling to Spain myself as an adult.”

Amazon.com Review- The Sun Also Rises is Hemingway's masterpiece--one of them, anyway--and no matter how many times you've read it or how you feel about the manners and morals of the characters, you won't be able to resist its spell. This is a classic that really does live up to its reputation.

Spain in Mind (Paperback) edited by Alice Leccese Powers
This spellbinding literary travel guide gathers poetry, nonfiction, and fiction about Spain by forty English and American writers. Here are letters and memoirs from Lord Byron, Edith Wharton, and Henry James; a poem about Picasso by E. E. Cummings; and a comic tale by Anthony Trollope in which two Englishmen mistake a Spanish duke for a bullfighter. W. H. Auden, George Orwell, and Langston Hughes record their experiences in the Spanish Civil War, Ernest Hemingway takes on bullfighting, Richard Wright is beguiled by gypsy flamenco dancers, and Calvin Trillin pursues an obsession with Spanish peppers. From Chris Stewart’s memoir of his rural retreat in Driving Over Lemons to Barbara Kingsolver’s idyllic portrait of the Canary Islands in “Where the Map Stopped,” the glimpses of another world in Spain in Mind will enchant you.

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Heminway
Ernest Hemingway once visited the Gredos, and the Gredos are mentioned in “For whom the bell tolls”
Published in 1940, it tells the story of Robert Jordan, a young American in the International Brigades attached to a republican guerilla unit during the Spanish Civil War. As an expert in the use of explosives, he is assigned to blow up a bridge during an attack on the city of Segovia. They escape to the Gredos seeking for refuge.

Other Spanish authors inspired by the Gredos include:
Miguel de Unamuno
Antonio Machado
And, of course, Santa Teresa de Ávila (Saint Therese of Avila)

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at Amazon.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.



Equitrekking DVD's featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, available in the Shop section of Equitrekking.com 

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS. 

Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

Season Three: Arizona, Belize, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Quebec, Texas and Utah.

Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.

    

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.