Horse riding holidays in Austria and Spain
The Riding Company is offering a selection of exciting new holidays for 2011.
Solo Riders' Weeks in Carinthia, Austria
When you mention solo holidays people automatically think 'singles' holiday, the two are quite different! Penny Roberts, Head of Austrian Holidays, at TRC says the only partner I seek on a solo travellers' riding holiday is the perfect horse to carry me safely at all paces over the local terrain. In Austria the ideal mount is the Haflinger, small, sturdy and surefooted, and Toni Sauper based in the Hohe Tauern National Park has a whole herd of them who work both summer and winter seasons.
The stunning blondes are always a talking point and the first ride is a 2 hour familiarisation ride so that we can be sure you have the perfect partner for the rest of the week. You've already made your first new friend.
In 2011 we are running two solo weeks where riders who are holidaying on their own can meet up at the friendly Schlosswirt Hotel, have their own room with no supplement, ride every day in the stunning National Park and then have dinner together in the evenings and enjoy the companionship of like-minded i.e. 'horsey' people! The hotel is the ideal venue for solo riders, it is not large or formal, it is furnished in a warm, traditional way and gives a real flavour of the Alpine region, no two rooms are the same and it has a small bar for after dinner socialising, most of the guests are there to ride/ski/hike/bike, dependent on the season. It's a great place to make new friends and some of our solos have returned with those friends in subsequent years.
Solo dates for 2011 are 4-11 June and 10-17 September. No single supplements, get-together dinner table, your own room and a week of fantastic alpine trail riding including an overnight stay in a mountain hut. £845 including 7 nights half board, picnic lunches on day rides, and transfers from Klagenfurt or Salzburg.
Family Adventure Mountain Ride designed especially for kids in Austria
Family Adventure 23-30 July, based at the 3* Schlosswirt in the heart of one of the most beautiful national parks in Austria for experienced riders from age 8 riding with an adult. Our special Family Adventure Trail Ride with overnights in traditional mountain huts, has been tailored especially for families by our mountain guide and features visits to an old gold mine and the tallest climbing tower in Austria.
£683 pp includes 7 nights half board (5 nts at the Schlosswirt and 2 nts in the mountain huts) plus 3 full days of riding and adventure activities. Picnic lunches whilst on the trek and airport transfers are also included.
Short breaks in Vienna featuring hand-picked hotels close to the Spanish Riding School with horse and carriage tours of the old city
Take a 3 day city break (or more!) with an equine theme in the heart of old Vienna including a horse and carriage ride around the old city and a visit to the Spanish Riding School, the home of classical riding where the white stallions perform to music in the baroque splendour of the Hofburg Palace. 3 nights bed and breakfast (based on two sharing a room in the 4* Starlight Suitenhotel), transfer to/from airport, horse and carriage/fiaker tour of the old town from £270 pp.
Take a mounted photography course in beautiful Andalucia
Bandolero Bandit Country Photo Ride - a Photographic Adventure on Horseback with the "Andalucia School of Photography". There will be no more boring travel slide shows that your friends will shy away from.
The skills that we teach you will allow you to develop the art of creating compelling photographic narratives of your adventures from now on. A wonderful opportunity to experience and photograph the spectacular and rugged mountains of the Serrania de Ronda, once home to some of Spain's most notorious bandoleros. You will enjoy expansive views from the mountains down to the sea and across to Africa; ancient forests and mountain streams; white villages; a variety of scenery whilst the horses take the strain of the historic paths and tracks that we shall follow.
Course Dates: June 5th - 11th, 2011 Bandolero Country, a Photographic Adventure on Horseback "Andalucia School of Photography"
£1,650 Special Introductory Price, Course Duration: 7 days, Maximum of 4 participants, Photographic Level: Any , Horse Riding: *Intermediate. Suitable for: compact, bridge and DSLR cameras.
Included in Fee: - 7 days with 6 nights accommodation - All meals and drinks during the course - All photographic tuition, 2 instructors, - 4 days horse riding and guide - Transfers to locations and from/to Gibraltar airport on stated flights
Explore hidden trails on Menorca riding stunning Menorquina horses
What better way to see the island than from the back of a stunning Menorquina horse. Menorca has ancient paths specifically for horse riding called the 'trail of the horses' or "cami de cavalls" which run the perimeter of the island. The rides also visit the beautiful beaches and spectacular gorges and ravines. From £656 for 5 days for 3 guided rides of half day each, 4 nts accommodation in 4* boutique Binigaus Vell Hotel on full board (including wine) and picnic lunches on riding days. Airport transfers.
Polo courses in Southern Spain for both adults and juniors at the renowned Polo Academy in Sotogrande
The Polo Academy, Sotogrande is situated at the Southernmost tip of Spain. Intensive courses of 3, 4 and 5 days or weekend courses available in this glamorous coastal playground. New for 2011 we can offer Junior polo courses for under 16's. The Academy is open year round for those new to polo and for experienced players wanting private coaching and the opportunity to practice with some good players. All our courses are under the supervision of John Morton - the only approved Hurlingham Polo Association Instructor in Spain.
Courses start from £215 per day in low season. Accommodation from £42 per night B&B, Children under 10 free. The area is perfect for a wonderful holiday for your accompanying friends and family who do not wish to play polo. Right near the stunning coast within sight of Africa, there are all sorts of activities available such as sailing, kite-surfing, golf and tennis. Also day trips to Africa, whale-watching boat cruises and horseback riding in the surrounding area.
For more information and reservations, visit: theridingcompany.com
