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Catalonia Beach & Mountain Trail
Catalonia
Spain
“Beach gallops, medieval villages and inspiring scenery”
Another exilerating Catalonia Mountain to Coast trail with a wonderful variety of scenery. Ride through the hidden valleys of the Garrotxa and pass by the lakes and marshes of Banyoles full of exotic birds. Continuing along rolling hills and fields of wheat, poppies and sunflowers. Gallop along the coastal planes, ride through the paddy fields and follow a meandering river. Undulating dunes and cliffs offer marvellous views out to the Mediterranean. Experience the gallop of your life riding through the sparkling surf and discover unspoilt little medieval villages like La Pera and Pubol with the castle of Gala (Salvador Dali s Muse). The delicious fish dishes of Sant Pera Pescador, a lively fishing village, will await you. The Ampurdan region is just brimming over with culture, history and natural diversity. Good company, great riding, Andalusian horses, this is a wonderful region The Mountain lakes and coast trail has the classic formula for an unbelievable and unforgettable ride
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Meeting:
San Jaume de Llierca
Airport:
Barcelona / Girona
Transfer:
Barcelona airport 6:30 PM
Girona 7:30 PM
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Rates and Dates for 2009
Rates include:
Accommodations, meals, 6 riding days
Packages and Options
Click here for updated current rates.
| A | 2009 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | €1065 | $1495 |
| Non-rider Rate - MAP | €645 | $905 |
| Single supplement (requested) | €155 | $220 |
| Combine any 2 weeks of the Catlonia Trails - discount | (€75) | ($105) |
| C | 2009 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | €925 | $1295 |
| Single supplement (requested) | €155 | $220 |
| Combine any 2 weeks of the Catlonia Trails - discount | (€75) | ($105) |
| Non-rider Rate - MAP | €525 | $735 |
Transfer Option:
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2009
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Transfer from Barcelona airport at 6:30 PM - drop off at 11:30 AM
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€
85
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$120
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2009
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Transfer from Gerona airport at 7:30 PM - drop off at 10:30 AM
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€
85
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$120
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Transfer from Barcelona airport at 6:30 PM - it is not possible to pick up from downtown, but there is a good commuter train available.
The drop off at the airport is at 11:30 AM. If you have to be there earlier, you will have to hire a private transfer at approx Euro 200.
Tour Dates
Check here for details and availability
| C |
2009
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02/08
- 02/15
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8d / 7n
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6
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| C |
2009
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02/22
- 03/01
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8d / 7n
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6
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| C |
2009
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03/22
- 03/29
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8d / 7n
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6
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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05/03
- 05/10
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8d / 7n
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6
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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05/31
- 06/07
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8d / 7n
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6
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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06/14
- 06/21
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8d / 7n
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6
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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09/27
- 10/04
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8d / 7n
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6
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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10/18
- 10/25
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8d / 7n
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6
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| C |
2009
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11/15
- 11/22
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8d / 7n
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6
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| C |
2009
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11/29
- 12/06
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8d / 7n
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6
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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Rates do not include:
Non rider rates do not include lunches or transfers between locations - need to rent a car.
DAY1: ARRIVAL Pick up from the airport in Barcelona at 6:30 PM. After a 1.5 hr drive north you will be driven up a winding track to the riding centre, an 11th century Farmhouse perched high up on a ridge overlooking the Pyrenees. Here you will meet the family, the guide and the team. At dinner the guide will go over the week’s program, you will be told about the special characteristics of our Andalusian trail horses. And after dinner you will be given an introduction to the weeks program with an opportunity for a one to one conversation designed to find every rider their perfect horse. Finally you will discover how to play the ´Champagne rules’ which is anyone found guilty of holding up the ride at any point having to buy a bottle of local cava for the group that evening, making for lively dinners! Day 2: THE JOURNEY BEGINS Today after saddling the horses we are ready to leave, 230km ahead. The horses are fresh and ready for the adventure. During the morning we ride through the mountain valleys, the views are superb with the Pyrenees in the distance to the north and the coast to the south. A long day of 40 km´s. By midday we pass by Besalu a Medieval walled village the ancient capital of the region. We are leaving the mountains. When we reach the river Fluvia, the pace accelerates and between gallops and trots we are covering a lot of ground. We travel through sunflower fields and forests, where we may surprise a herd of wild boar. At dusk we arrive in the farmhouse of Mas Torrent where we are greeted by the owners Miguel and Magali, who are waiting for us with a refreshing drink. This is a charming hotel and we are their favourite guests we completely fill up the entire place. The food is excellent: ¨Viva la Catalan cooking!¨ Day 3: COASTAL BOUND The day begins with a sumptious Mas Torrent breakfast, prepared by Magali. Today we follow the river Fluvia, Catalonia´s largest river, down to the coast. There are big stands of plane trees along the river. We pass Bascara, one of the first Roman settlements with gallops along side the race course. From the hillside castle of Calabuig we can see the sea on a clear day. The horses can smell the beach today. We keep up a steady pace, we are coastal bound. Our destination is in Sant Pere Pescador: a little hotel in a stately town house, it is a jewel of Catalan décor in this lively fishing village. Juan and Maria, the owners, will await us with gorgeous fish dishes and a warm welcome to the Mediterranean, the Costa Brava (the wild coast). Tonight is special; we can go out and have a cocktail in this happy and lively village. Day 4: SUN, SEA, SAND AND SURF Today we make an early start. Ahead of us Kilometres of sand and surf, not a soul, the splash of the waves, the Mediterranean sunrise, the dull thud of the hoofs on the sand, the horses love to cool their legs in the sea. What an experience! Now we head out parallel to the coast, across the planes, the going is good, here you feel how fit the hoses are. Onwards to the cliffs of Toroella with the Castle high on a hill always in the background, the views out to the sea are spectacular. We continue into the immense dunes and pine forests. We can have a picnic on the cliffs looking out to sea. We ride on to the old roman town of Toroellla de Montgri to cross the bridge of the river Ter. With good gallops alongside the river we set exotic migrating birds to flight. Here we stay in a petit grand hotel, not far from the beach so near enough to enjoy a pre-dinner swim followed by some excellent fish dishes. This is a fitting end to a lovely day. Day 5: MEDIEVAL EMPURDAN DALI COUNTRY Today we go Medieval. The morning begins on the coast and we turn inland across the rice fields of Pals and on into the village, a classic medieval settlement on top of a hill surrounded by fertile agricultural land. The wealth of the area is reflected in the style of the architecture, the churches, the manor houses, all beautiful buildings of sculptured stone. This paradise was first inhabited by the ancient Iberians then the Romans. Today the riding is interesting and varied. It is easy to understand why the Romans chose to settle here. This day of great gallops and trots, between fascinating stone villages with nice cafes on the village squares comes to a glorious end as we reach the Catalan farmhouse hotel and enjoy the hospitality of Juanna and Jordi. Here we are next to the castle of Pubol, Salvador Dali´s present to Gala. Once more the Catalan cuisine and the local wines are wonderful. Day 6: EL CAMINO REAL After a hearty country breakfast we saddle up and continue. Today we are following an old drovers track, a “camino real”, a royal route used to lead the livestock towards the mountains for the summer. We travel through fields, forests full of aromatic herbs and wild flowers. We are covering a big distance today and you will be proud of your horses resilience and continuous enthusiasm. The support vehicle is a welcome sight with another delicious picnic awaiting us under some shady trees. After a short but sweet siesta we ride on. The local villages are interesting, in the centres there are often small castles of the medieval feudal Barons who governed the local population. In the evening we arrive in Palol de Revardit a small village where we will stable the horses for the night for a well earned rest. After a refreshing drink we will be driven back by car for the night. Here another delicious meal and excellent local red wine awaits us. Day 7: HOMEWARD BOUND Today we head back to the mountains. During the morning the going is lively following the river Ter, immense stands of plane trees, meadows, fields of sunflowers. After a welcome picnic lunch the afternoon ride is back into the mountains, past lakes and marshes, land of legends and giant fish. Once more the views are imperious and we can see the route that we have just ridden: six days of trail, adventure and companionship. An unforgettable experience! Our base is a welcome sight as we arrive in the evening. A glass or two of Cava on the terrace overlooking the mountains followed by a delicious meal is a perfect end to a marvellous journey. Day 8: ADIOS AMIGOS Breakfast and departure and we hope to see each other again soon
Meeting:
San Jaume de Llierca
Airport:
Barcelona / Girona
Transfer:
Barcelona airport 6:30 PM
Girona 7:30 PM Transfer from Barcelona airport at 6:30 PM - it is not possible to pick up from downtown, but there is a good commuter train available.
The drop off at the airport is at 11:30 AM. If you have to be there earlier, you will have to hire a private transfer at approx Euro 200.
Passport and Visa Requirements: Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.Note: EU nationals are onl. more
The climate of Catalonia is typically Mediterranean, with many hours of sunshine, mild in winter and warm in summer. The Pyrenees and the neighbouring areas have a high-altitude climate, with minimum temperatures below 0ºC, annual rainfall above 1000 mm and abundant snow during the winter. Along the coast, the climate is mild and temperate with temperatures increasing from north to south, while the rain behaves the opposite way. The hinterland, far from the sea, has a continental Mediterranean climate, with cold winters and very hot days.
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oc
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Nov
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Dec
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Highest Temperatures °C
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13
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16
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18
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21
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25
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28
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28
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25
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20
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16
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13
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Hours of daily sunshine
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5,5
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6
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7,5
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8,5
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9,5
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9,5
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9,5
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6,5
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5,5
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5
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4
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Days of rain
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3
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6
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6
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6
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4
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3
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4
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