Andalusian Short Break

4 Days | From £753pp

Spain ( Best airport: Malaga)

This unique hacienda is based in the heart of Andalucia. With a stable full of impressive horses, and enjoying over 300 days of sunshine a year, this hillside ranch offers the perfect short break for all levels of rider. Explore this glorious sun-dappled region of Spain, following secret trails through the olive groves with plenty of time to relax poolside in the afternoons. Read a review of this destination in Elle magazine here.

The Riding

The riding itinerary is flexible and can be adapted to suit guests wishes. Generally, a mixture of hacks out and lessons is offered with some all day rides to local bars or fincas. The terrain is gentle and there are plenty of opportunities for trotting and cantering. You will usually hack out in the surrounding area in the morning, the pace is adapted to suit the rider’s level of experience. You can then have a late afternoon lesson with one of the instructors in the on site arena.

Groups are split into similar riding abilities unless a family wishes to ride together. Lessons are tailored to individual needs and the group size for lessons rarely exceeds 2 or 3 people. Basic riding tuition, dressage and show jumping are all taught here by the hacienda’s team of knowledgeable instructors.

Level of Riding and Fitness

This destination caters for any level of rider from beginner onwards making it ideal for groups of mixed abilities, families and people getting back into riding after a break. The instructors will work with you to establish what your goals are for your riding holiday and help you to work towards achieving them. There is help available to mount/dismount and disabled riders are welcome. The minimum riding age is 6 years and there is a weight limit of 100kg.

Guides and Group Size

Your guides are experienced and educated trainers able to provide for guests of all riding levels and abilities.

Group size 1-10

Any questions?

The Horses

There are 30 wonderful horses to choose from at the hacienda, all are well-cared for, responsive and well-schooled. There is a horse to suit every rider from beginner to advanced. Most of the horses are Andalusian and Andalusian crosses and the tack and riding style is English.

Accommodation and Dining

You’ll be staying at the hacienda in spacious accommodation, all bedrooms are en-suite and some are in apartments with kitchenette facilities. Every room is unique, sympathetically integrated into the 16th century building and individually decorated with local artifacts and antiques. Some of the bedrooms are accessible for those with restricted mobility. There are hairdryers in each room and WiFi is available in all rooms. If booking as a single traveller you will have your own room with bathroom, sharing is not necessary. There is a lovely pool available for guests onsite with views over the olive groves towards the mountains in the distance.

Mealtimes are relaxed and food is prepared by a local chef. You can expect Andalusian dishes as well as classic Spanish cuisine. The food is sourced locally and fruit and vegetables are grown in the vegetable garden. Excursions can be arranged to local restaurants to sample the tapas and wines on offer. Mealtimes are sociable affairs where guests can come together and discuss the days riding over cocktails in the convivial atmosphere. Vegetarian and vegan diets can easily be catered for.

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Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Malaga and transfer to the Hacienda. If settling into your accommodation before 2pm you’ll have time to meet the horses and take part in an afternoon ride where you will be matched with one of the responsive and well-schooled horses. Have dinner and meet your fellow guests before spending the evening relaxing at the hacienda.

Day 2 After breakfast, head out on the trail, riding through beautiful scenery from 1 to 3 hours with plenty of opportunities to canter through the vines and olive groves, returning to the hacienda for lunch. Relax and enjoy the pool, the gardens and the view before taking part in a lesson for around an hour in the large sand school arena.

Day 3 Riding could include an all day picnic ride, a hack to a local bar for refreshments or a riding amongst the vines, olives and pines in the area in the mornings and lessons in the afternoon. In the hotter months there is a change to the riding schedule to avoid the hottest part of the day so you will ride first thing in the morning and again in the evening.

Day 4 If you didn’t arrive in time to ride on your first day you can have a morning ride after breakfast before heading to the airport.