Far and Ride - Horse Riding Holidays

13/06/2024

We are very pleased to offer you a massive 350 euros per person last minute discount on our Krka Trail in Croatia. On 22 June there are two places left and on 6 July there are 3 places left. This is a fast paced ride for experienced riders.
https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/croatia/boskos_ranch_and_croatian_culture/

12/06/2024

Due to a last minute cancellation we can offer a last minute discount of 5% on the King Skerdilajd Trail in Albania arriving 29 June departing 6 July. This is a wonderful trail where you can immerse yourself in the culture of this scenic country.https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/albania/

17/05/2024

MOROCCO:

We are seeking more riders for the High Atlas Summer Trail in Morocco from 16 - 23 June. This is a primarily a camping trail and great value.

Immerse yourself in the heart of Berber culture on this trail which crosses high passes with splendid views of the High Atlas, including Mt Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. The cooler temperatures at higher altitudes make this ride perfect for the summer months.

€1160 EUR / £995 GBP / $1260 USD per person includes 7 nights of shared accommodation (including an eco-lodge, mountain cottage and camping), all meals, drinking water, 6 days of riding and Marrakech airport transfers.

The trail is only for confident riders with good experience - you will care for your own horse and ride at all paces, with some of the horses being quite spirited stallions.

Full itinerary available here: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/morocco/atlas_mountains/ -menu

[email protected] for questions and bookings. 💚

10/05/2024

If this doesn't make you feel a bit funny inside (in a good way!) then I don't know what will! The stunning Serengeti Ride in Tanzania... a magnificent journey through a spectacular landscape, seeing vast herds from the back of a fit, loved and well-trained horse.

We have the 2025 dates and rates up on our site and are ready to book you for the adventure of a lifetime! Itinerary, dates and prices available here: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/tanzania/kaskazi_horse_safaris/ -menu

If you're off to Badminton Horse Trials this weekend then head to the African Horse Safari Association stand (no. 35) and meet Jo, owner and guide of this epic ride!

03/05/2024

8 - 15 June remains an empty week in Kupres, Bosnia & Herzegovina. If you can muster a group of four then you can book it out as a private week!

€1200 EUR / £1025 GBP / $1285 USD per person includes airport transfers, accommodation, meals and riding.

https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/bosnia_and_herzegovina/kupres_farm/

02/05/2024

SPECIAL OFFER:

Now with an amazing 25% discount!

This epic 14 night trail in Sicily, running from 18th May - 1st June, will be a true adventure. It's offered by our longstanding and trusted partners, Alex and Lizzie, and they'd love to find some more riders to join them.

Visit the webpage and scroll right to find the 'Sicilian Odyssey' itinerary: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/sicily/sicily_explorer/ -menu

26/04/2024

Now that I'm back from Argentina, I'm thinking ahead to my next adventure - NAMIBIA! 🤩

I rode with Andrew and the team in Namibia in 2018 and this time I'm heading there to join their Skeleton Damara Safari from 16 - 25 October. There are still a few empty saddles, the only ones left all year, if anyone is feeling adventurous and would like to join me? If you're in the UK then you can fly with me and I can advise on preparation, packing and so on.

You don't need to be a marathon runner or a top class event rider to join this exciting ride, but you do need to be fit, confident in the saddle and ready for long, fast riding days over varied terrain. We will be sleeping on comfy beds under the stars so there isn't much privacy but there's still a hot shower each night, ice for your G&T and the option to put your camp bed where you like.

To read the full itinerary you can visit our website and scroll right to the Skeleton Damara Safari, then down for all the details: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/namibia/namibia_horse_safari_company/ -menu

Or simply email me on [email protected] for further info. It's not a private F&R group but I have some lovely repeat clients signed up and we'd love to fill those last few spots. 🥰

- Holly

03/04/2024

FEEDBACK AND A SPECIAL OFFER:

We just had to share this beautiful feedback from Far and Rider Rachel who just returned from Il Paretaio in Italy - she has described it better than we ever could. 💚🤍❤️

"In an era when horse sport is increasingly under social scrutiny, it is so refreshing to find a riding school that is so focussed on horse welfare. From the care that they provide the horses pre and post lesson, to their acute understanding of every character (horse and human) that comes to the manège, to the pressure/release techniques front and center in every lesson, this place embodies what horse riding should be. In return, their horses truly love their job, are beautifully schooled and are feather light. The teaching here varied from home - mistakes are embraced as key learning tools, and the focus is on the takeaway from each exercise by the horse and his understanding of the situation rather than just the rider, their riding position and their goals. Despite riding for twenty years, through their professional instruction and new perspectives, I was able to achieve some longstanding riding targets even within just the one week. More importantly, I have returned with a new understanding of how to do better and be better for the school ponies that I ride at home.

My most memorable lesson was the feeling my horse Carolina gave me when she was willing to approach challenges as a team, but not if I tried to tell her what to do. This lead to me critically evaluate the way I ride and is key to helping me improve."

Thank you to Rachel for this wonderful description of her visit.

If you visit Il Paretaio between now and 20th April then there is no single supplement for solo travellers and a discount if you stay a full week as well - please contact us for details. We are also giving a €100 per person discount on the week 8th - 15th June if you stay the full 7 nights and book a riding package.

Read more on our website: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/italy/il_paretaio/

📸 Instructor Natalie riding a PRE school horse at Il Paretaio.

27/03/2024

We are now offering a 10% discount on this trip in the Cathar region of France, 5 - 12 May. Solo travellers welcome!

RIDERS WANTED - FRANCE

We are seeking more riders for our Cathar Trail in France (the guided version) from 5 - 12 May.

The Cathar Trail takes its name from the religious group who inhabited the area during the medieval period. The trail runs between various towns and villages in which they lived, showing the ancient Cathar castles which they built to defend themselves against crusaders.

The rides here are in the Aude department of France, located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees Mountains. Each region here has its own particular landscape but the area features beautiful forests of oak and beech, deep valleys and coastal lakes. Combined with the rugged mountain tops, this scenery makes enjoyable viewing from horseback and also provides the habitat for an array of wildlife.

This is a scenic seven night trail ride staying at small, authentic accommodations each night. It's a great choice for history lovers especially! Suitable for those comfortable at walk, trot and canter and happy to ride for full days.

More details on the website (select the guided itinerary): https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/france/cathar_trails_guided_or_unguided/ -menu

[email protected]

📸 with thanks to Martin and Suzanne (who actually did the unguided version of this ride!)

22/03/2024

Still a few saddles left for the mini Gourmet Getaway in Denmark from 21st - 23rd June!

This ride is the perfect short break for those who love the finer things in life! You're invited to enjoy good horses, good food and good wine on the wild Danish coast. The programme is just two nights and situated around 45 minutes from Aalborg and the airport. It makes for a wonderful little treat or is easily added on to a longer stay in Denmark. Their signature dish is baked turbot, caught fresh by local fisherman, and you will ride on well-trained Icelandic horses.

More info: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/denmark/tolt-and-dine/ -menu

20/03/2024

Thank you Far and Rider Wendy for sharing some photos from the Doñana Trail in Spain!

This beautiful ride is next available from 26th May - 1st June - fabulous horses, comfortable accommodation, great picnics and all the glory of Doñana National Park await you.

Itinerary and further details: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/spain/donana-national-park-trail/ -menu

19/03/2024

These absolutely glorious photos come from our 'Old Haciendas Trail' in Colombia but the same team offer several different itineraries. We've included plenty of photos of host Chalas and his spotty horse El Chicanero - what a character! 😍

You can read more about this route on the website here: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/colombia/trails-colombia/ -menu

Or you can get in touch with us for further info about the different options in Colombia. Team member Natalie has ridden there. 🐴

18/03/2024

Our new ride in Ireland, 'The Wild Atlantic Way', is a hotel-based holiday with spectacular hacking. You stay in a 3* hotel with indoor pool and spa facilities and ride different routes each day, including beautiful beaches of course!

Read more here: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/ireland/sligo-beach-trails/

15/03/2024

Happy Friday! 🙌

I took this photo in Mongolia - the horses often rested on one another whilst tethered together during lunch breaks. Some of us look a bit like this chap by the end of the week… 🙊

We have several lovely itineraries in Mongolia and it’s a horse country like no other! Visit our Mongolia page and scroll down for some of the different rides we have available: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/mongolia/

Or simply drop us a message or an email and we can send you some ideas.

Have a great weekend! 🥂

11/03/2024

Here’s a special offer for your Monday! 🤩

€150 EUR per person discount on the Zagoria Trail in Albania for these upcoming dates:

16 - 23 March
23 - 30 March
30 March - 6 April

This was already a very affordable ride! 🙌 Footage is from last week.

Fun canters, great local horses, interesting visits and warm hospitality… this is an adventurous ride and you need to be happy sharing rooms and sometimes staying with local families. 🫶

This ride always gets such wonderful reviews from our clients. Don’t miss it!

Full info here (scroll right to select ‘Zagoria Trail’): https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/albania/medieval_albanian_trails/ -menu

07/03/2024

RIDERS WANTED - FRANCE

We are seeking more riders for our Cathar Trail in France (the guided version) from 5 - 12 May.

The Cathar Trail takes its name from the religious group who inhabited the area during the medieval period. The trail runs between various towns and villages in which they lived, showing the ancient Cathar castles which they built to defend themselves against crusaders.

The rides here are in the Aude department of France, located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees Mountains. Each region here has its own particular landscape but the area features beautiful forests of oak and beech, deep valleys and coastal lakes. Combined with the rugged mountain tops, this scenery makes enjoyable viewing from horseback and also provides the habitat for an array of wildlife.

This is a scenic seven night trail ride staying at small, authentic accommodations each night. It's a great choice for history lovers especially! Suitable for those comfortable at walk, trot and canter and happy to ride for full days.

More details on the website (select the guided itinerary): https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/france/cathar_trails_guided_or_unguided/ -menu

[email protected]

📸 with thanks to Martin and Suzanne (who actually did the unguided version of this ride!)

28/02/2024

SPECIAL OFFER - SARDINIA

Our Two Islands ride in Sardinia now has a €200 EUR per person discount for the week 30th March - 6th April.

You stay in the same hotel each night and ride different routes everyday - on most days the guests and horses are transported to a different area in order to see the most beautiful places in this region.

Full itinerary, pricing and further details can be found on the website here: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/sardinia/southern-sardinia/ -menu

27/02/2024

Our Zambezi Explorer Safari in Zambia is a very special ride - have a look at this beautiful video to learn more about it.

The full itinerary, pricing and other info is available on our site here: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/zambia/simalaha-horse-safaris/

[email protected]

22/02/2024

We still have availability this season for our beautiful ride 'Discover the High Pyrenees', located in Spain's Benasque Valley.

This scenic, adventurous trail ride is spectacular and varied including riverside vegetation, mixed forest, black pine forest, alpine meadows and the high mountains with their summits, glaciers and perpetual snow. These wild habitats are also home to protected species such as capercaillie, bearded vulture and brown bear.

Each day the horses stay out along the trail route whilst you are taken back to your mountain hotel - you get all the adventure and variety of a moving trail ride but don't have to pack up your bag everyday!

DATES

June 9, 2024 - June 16, 2024 (will confirm with second rider, single travellers can easily book this one)

June 23, 2024 - June 30, 2024 (confirmed, single travellers can easily join this one too)

July 14, 2024 - July 21, 2024

July 28, 2024 - Aug. 4, 2024 (min 4 riders for this date)

Sept. 1, 2024 - Sept. 8, 2024

Sept. 22, 2024 - Sept. 29, 2024

Oct. 6, 2024 - Oct. 13, 2024

PRICES

€2040 EUR / £1750 GBP / $2215 USD per person including:

- 7 nights of twin or double room accommodation in a comfortable mountain hotel (single rooms available for a supplement)

- all meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day

- table wine with lunches and dinners

- 6 days of guided riding (6 hours a day on average) with a qualified, knowledgable guide

TRAVEL

Set-time Barcelona airport transfers are available at added cost - drive time is approximately 3 hours. Toulouse is also around 3 hours away and car hire is also possible as you can park at the hotel.

RIDING LEVEL

The terrain is pretty mountainous on this ride, bringing incredible views. Riders must be fit and ready for 6 hours a day in the saddle, some steep terrain and walking and leading their horse. There are trots and canters in the open meadows.

ITINERARY

Day to day programme is available on our site here: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/spain/benasque-valley/ -menu

TESTIMONIALS

"One of the best holidays we've ever had. Alvar simply couldn't have been any better. He was the perfect guide/riding companion. The horses were superbly fit and perfectly schooled for the conditions. The saddles were very comfortable. (Favourite memory?) My husband's smiling face - he never stopped smiling throughout the whole trip!" - Penelope

"The Benasque Valley ride was amazing! The views, the guides, the horses and the fellow company were all incredible. The quality of riding was just what I was looking for and the variety of terrain from day to day was better than expected. The horses were all well trained and confident dealing with the different types of trails we rode. I would highly recommend this ride for anyone who enjoys being in the mountains, enjoying incredible scenery, riding well-trained horses and being guided by very knowledgable, attentive and fun guides." - Meghan

[email protected] for bookings and questions. Happy riding!

07/02/2024

I have a place left for a female traveller will to share a room if anyone would like to join my group to Argentina! 😍

06/02/2024

Don't forget to give us a follow on Instagram - we post regular stories with special offers, last minute spaces, new rides and more!

https://www.instagram.com/farandride/?hl=en-gb

06/02/2024

The moment many of you have been waiting for... the release of dates for the world-famous Trans Wales Trail! 🙌

This trail route covers almost the length and breadth of Wales and is a chance to experience historic, beautiful and undiscovered countryside on a trusty native horse which has been bred specifically for the job. The challenging route passes through four mountain ranges (The Black Mountains, Mynydd Eppynt, the Elan Valley and over Plynlimon) and ends with a final gallop on the beach near Aberystwyth. The routes are mostly forgotten bridleways, open moorland crossings and trails over private land.

The trail covers 5 days and 6 nights, running Saturday to Friday, and is only suitable for experienced riders. You cross from the Black Mountains to the Irish Sea, riding over several mountain ranges and covering long distances, mostly off-road. You must be fit, have good stamina and be comfortable riding at speed!

Visit the website for dates, prices and info: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/wales/brecon_beacons_and_beyond/ -menu

05/02/2024

Our Mediterranean Trail in Catalonia, Spain, is a truly beautiful and active ride. It includes long canters and some speedy gallops as well as diverse terrain. You'll cover mountains, meadows and beaches on an Andalusian horse, sleeping in Medieval villages along the way.

This is a six night trail with lots of departure dates. Itinerary and pricing available here: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/spain/catalan-trails/ -menu

[email protected]

29/01/2024

THE SICILIAN ODYSSEY - 14 NIGHTS

18 May - 1 June 2024

If you are fit, adventurous and looking for a longer riding tour then this could be a great choice for you!

This new 14 night riding holiday in Sicily, offered by our longstanding partners Alex and Lizzie, is the ultimate Sicilian trail ride. The route starts in the Madonie Mountains and travels through enchanting valleys and incredibly varied scenery to reach majestic Mount Etna. From there it encircles the volcano and then returns through the breathtaking Nebrodi Mountains, one of the greenest and most unspoilt parts of the island.

Amazing landscapes, experienced guides, fit horses, fabulous food and wine... this trail has it all. 12 full days in the saddle - epic!

Twin/double room: £3235 GBP / €3800 EUR / $4110 USD per person

Single room (limited): £3665 GBP / €4300 EUR / $4650 USD per person

Prices include airport transfers, 14 nights accommodation, meals and riding.

Riding level: experienced, FIT riders. You need to be able to ride at all paces and for long hours, comfortable with covering a variety of different terrain. This is the most challenging trail at this destination with several days of 7+ hours riding - you should be fit for long days in the saddle and able to stand in the stirrups to canter and to go up hills. You will also need to walk and lead your horse on rough terrain.

Weight limit: 85kg / 187lbs / 13st 5lbs

Full itinerary is available on the website here (scroll right for the correct itinerary): https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/sicily/sicily_explorer/ -menu

[email protected]

25/01/2024

Are you a serious adventurer, looking for your next trip into the wilderness? Our Mitre Peninsula Expedition in Argentina is for you!

Ride to the End of the World on this expedition to the south-eastern tip of Tierra del Fuego ('Land of Fire'). Explore this remote and wild landscape with pack horses and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife both on land and in the ocean. This is a trail for riders with an adventurous spirit - you must be ready to face all weathers and to pack light!

A date for next season is already out: 10 - 21 December 2024. Other dates through Nov/Jan/Feb/Mar will be confirmed soon.

Team member Cathy is our resident expert, having tested out this ride herself. You can email her on [email protected] 🐧

Itinerary and pricing: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/argentina/tierra_del_fuego/ -menu

23/01/2024

Here in the UK it's a cold, wet, blustery night... a good time to dream of warm adventures!

This photo is from our Lassithi Trail on the island of Crete. You can read all about it here: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/greece/panorama-rides/ -menu

Email travel advisor Danni for more info: [email protected]

15/01/2024

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR RIDING HOLIDAYS

Here I am again, talking about my favourite topic. 😜 I know how many of you have received emails from us 'chasing' you for your insurance details but we persevere with this for your own safety, both physical and financial.

Travel insurance is an essential when it comes to booking any holiday but especially a riding trip which comes with that added horse danger element. We are often asked by our clients if they really need to have it or if medical insurance is sufficient and I just wanted to mention a few things in case it's useful...

1) Medical costs - the main reason for taking out medical travel insurance is to cover your medical costs if you have an accident whilst on your holiday. Health providers in some countries may not even administer medical care unless they see evidence of your insurance policy beforehand. Depending on location, medical bills can also add up very quickly and insurance is vital to guarantee that you can cover the costs.

2) Repatriation and accommodation - whilst some of you have medical insurance policies (or things like a Global Health Insurance Card) which will cover medical bills abroad, many of them are unlikely to cover the extras which come with a serious injury such as additional accommodation in the holiday country (you may need to rest up a while before you are fit to travel home) or safe repatriation to your home country. These costs can be very high.

3) Cancellation - the other vital part of travel insurance is cancellation cover. Whilst we try to help if you can't make your trip, we also have an obligation to our partners who operate the rides. If we have confirmed your booking with them and you need to drop out, we may owe them cancellation fees and your insurance should be in place to protect you. For example, if you book a ride and sustain an injury meaning you can no longer participate - this would likely be an insurance claim. We recommend that you book your insurance at the time you book your holiday.

When booking your insurance please check that all the activities included on your trip are covered. Some insurance companies will not cover horse riding if it is the sole or primary purpose of the trip or they may specify that you need to wear a riding helmet (which we always recommend!) or even a body protector, particularly if you will be jumping. Some policies do not cover specific activities, like jumping or polo, but they may be available as an 'add on'. For those of you in the UK, BHS membership or similar is not sufficient.

Why do we ask for the details of your policy? We like to be totally prepared with the information, which we also share with the ride operator, just in case. Many of you travel alone and although accidents are rare, we want to have the information on hand to ensure you are taken care of without someone having to look for the details amongst your luggage!

If in doubt, it's always worth asking the insurance company to be clear about the horse riding included on the policy before you commit, preferably in writing. We are happy to suggest popular companies but we don't have time to read through all the policies and we ask that you take responsibility for ensuring you are covered.

Happy riding!

Photo from our Southern Sardinia ride: https://www.farandride.com/.../sardinia/southern-sardinia/

20/12/2023

Team member Natalie recently completed our 'Horses, Dunes and Nomads' ride in Morocco to check it out for our clients. Here are a handful of her favourite photos from the week!

This ride still has some spaces for January - get in touch quickly to book a spot if you're interested (before we close for a while to enjoy the holidays).

Ride details: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/morocco/sahara_desert_trails/ -menu

20/12/2023

Far and Riders Candi and Claire just returned from their next visit to Monte Velho Equo-resort in Portugal.

"From the foal tour to the last lessons and a beautiful trail in the cork oak hills of the estate, we had a very special time." ❤️

Thank you, ladies!

Monte Velho availability for 2024 is quite limited but there are still some gaps through summer and early September. Read more about it: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/portugal/monte_velho_equo_resort/

17/12/2023

From the Coconut Trail in Brazil… the horses meeting a manatee! 🤯

Read about this ride: https://www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/brazil/coconut_trail/