| 5. Horse Riding Holiday Cheshire, UK | | | | riding pleasure. The equestrian centre is also home to |
| What with the so called “Credit Crunch” and our | | | | many fantastic facilities, including an indoor arena and |
| nation’s economic instability, people feel as if they | | | | an Olympic sized outdoor arena, so if you take your |
| have to look after all the money that they have, and | | | | horse riding as seriously as you take your relaxing, |
| even the notion of going on a luxury holiday may seem | | | | then this is the perfect holiday for you! |
| ridiculous, but have no fear, there is the perfect | | | | |
| remedy to this irritating problem. Some of the | | | | 2. Horse Riding on the beach in Spain |
| world’s finest riding opportunities can be found right | | | | Needless to say, riding a beautiful horse across a sunlit |
| here at home in the UK, so whether you’re an | | | | Spanish beach, sitting in a hugely comfortable traditional |
| experienced rider or you just think that it looks like fun, | | | | Spanish saddle is an experience that is very hard to |
| there is always a fantastic holiday available, at a very | | | | top. Galloping across a beautiful, deserted Tarifa |
| reasonable price. Cheshire is home to beautiful | | | | beach, with the salty air flowing through my horses’ |
| woodlands and scenic riding trails that run through | | | | mane is definitely an experience that will stay with me |
| some of the most picturesque scenery that the UK | | | | for the rest of my life. Tarifa is a lovely little town, |
| has to offer, and if that’s not enough, Equestrian | | | | which is made wonderfully accessible by being located |
| Escapes even offers a “Horses and Chocolate” | | | | close to Malaga, Jerez and Gibraltar, and it is home to |
| package, in which you can ride to your hearts content | | | | some of the finest riding and dining that Spain has to |
| and then indulge in heavenly home made truffles! | | | | offer. The fact that large areas of Tarifa are |
| 4. Trail ride and training in Spain | | | | designated as National Park means that the scenery |
| Epona Equestrian Centre, located just 20 minute from | | | | and wildlife are largely unspoiled, as if they have been |
| Seville airport, is based within the walls of a stunning | | | | saved there especially for your pleasure. Tarifa is also |
| 16th century Hacienda. Here you will find over 65 | | | | home to some of the most unique riding experiences |
| horses and ponies, a vast array of stables and horse | | | | available in Spain, such as a fantastic ride across sand |
| arenas, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, | | | | dunes and through cork forests to reach the hidden |
| comfortable bed rooms with all the modern facilities | | | | town of Paloma Baja, an area almost completely |
| and an enormous scenic garden. The fantastic thing | | | | unknown to tourists. If that hasn’t convinced you |
| about this holiday is that it contains a huge variety of | | | | enough, then you will be pleased to learn that there are |
| activities to take part in, such as hacking through | | | | many other activities available in this wonderful area of |
| wonderful olive groves and eucalyptus trees, watching | | | | Andalucia, such as windsurfing lessons, kite surfing |
| fantastic riding demonstrations at The Royal Riding | | | | lessons, whale watching and even a day trip to Africa! |
| School in Jerez, as well as benefiting from the | | | | 1. Horses and Italian Castles |
| professional lessons that are available from the Epona | | | | What could be better than fabulous riding opportunities, |
| staff. The difference between Epona and many other | | | | good food, fine wine and the fantastic surroundings of |
| holiday resorts that offer horse riding is that Epona is | | | | a 16 century castle? In my opinion there isn’t an |
| designed for genuine equestrian enthusiast, not just | | | | equestrian holiday available that sounds more |
| tourists who fancy a bit of riding in the sun. | | | | appealing than equestrian-escapes “Italian castle |
| 3. Ride Lusitano Horses in Portugal | | | | hideaway break”. As you may have already |
| If your idea of a perfect holiday is to sit back, relax | | | | guessed, your lodgings for the duration of your stay |
| and just enjoy the sun, then this holiday probably | | | | are not a bog standard hotel in the middle of a busy |
| isn’t for you, but if you get your kicks from | | | | town; you will be staying at a breathtaking Italian castle, |
| partaking in wonderful riding opportunities, in an area of | | | | located in a wonderful area of the Italian countryside |
| extreme natural beauty, surrounded by likeminded | | | | an hour and a half from Rome. The riding trails that are |
| people then you’ve found your perfect holiday! The | | | | chosen are both hugely scenic and historic, and they |
| equestrian centre is home to Nuno Baptista, a national | | | | take you through beautiful old farming areas, alongside |
| horse riding judge, member of the Portugal national | | | | amazing volcanic lakes and through stunning towns, |
| dressage team and head instructor at the centre, who | | | | such as the fortified village of Orano. If staying in a |
| will be available to give you pointers on your riding, and | | | | castle doesn’t quench your thirst for historical |
| for the more adventurous of you, he can even teach | | | | masterpieces, then you can also take up the |
| you how to drive a traditional Portuguese horse | | | | opportunity of exploring the remains of an ancient |
| carriage. If fast paced thrills aren’t your idea of a | | | | Etruscan village in the nearby vicinity. Despite this busy |
| good time, then various scenic hacks through the | | | | schedule, you will still have plenty of time to relax by |
| beautiful Portuguese cork and olive trees that surround | | | | the pool, and indulge in the local delicacies, such as fine |
| the equestrian centre are available. All of the horses | | | | cheeses and wines, which in my opinion makes this |
| here are pure bred Lusitanos, which means that they | | | | holiday the perfect equestrian getaway for any rider, |
| are bred and trained to the highest standard for your | | | | young or old! |