Equitours offers this eight-day horseback riding vacation through olive groves and around ancient walled villages in Provence, on unpaved tracks and roads redolent of thyme. You can take part in exhilarating gallops or long canters through lavender fields and cross mountainous terrain with views of snowy Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. Overnight in farmhouses and sample French cooking.
Equitours Horseback Riding Vacations
The Soul of Provence
P.O. Box 807
Dubois, WY 82513
800-545-0019
ridingtours.com
The Vineyard Trail horseback riding vacation is offered by Hidden Trails. Ride the famous Andalusian horse of Spain through an area of more than 8,000 wine makers. Follow the Ribera del Duero River through Central Spain and taste classic Spanish wine, stopping at castles and abbeys along the way. Overnight in comfortable lodgings, dine on regional dishes in bodegas and enjoy picnic lunches on the trail.
Hidden Trails
659A Moberly Road
Vancouver,V5Z 4B3
888-987-2457
hiddentrails.com
This equestrian vacation is led by Equitour Worldwide Holidays and takes you through the historic Tuscany and Lazio area. Accommodation is in farmhouses known as ''agriturismo", a type of bed and breakfast establishment where the food is grown on site. Ride through scenic lake country terrain suitable for trots and canters in Lago di Mezzano and stop in an extinct crater at Selva di Lamone, a national park. Meals include dinner in a medieval castle and picnics in the woods.
Equitour Worldwide Riding Holidays
Etruscan Farmhouse Tour
Petershold Farm
Minstead, Lyndhurst
Hampshire, SO43 7GJ
886-56-6163
equitour.co.uk
Vale Ferro is a riding center situated on more than 20 acres close to the Monchique mountain ranges and the world-famous beaches of the Algarve. This is an equestrian holiday venue that offers riding programs for beginners, experienced riders and families, with rides on mountain slopes and beaches. Experienced riders can take part in the "Dressage with Lusitano Stallions" program, riding pure-bred Lusitano stallions. Choose to stay in a free-standing cottage or a suite in the main residence.
Sítio Vale de Ferro
P.O. Box 104
Mexilhoeira Grande
8501-903
Portugal
351 282 968 444
www.valedeferro
Castle Leslie Equestrian Center at the 300-year old Castle Leslie Estate in Glaslough is a top equestrian center, according to Horse and Hound UK. Riders can perfect their skills while at this thousand-acre estate, with hundreds of jumps in open fields and woodlands. The equestrian center offers expert riding tuition and a virtual horse for beginners, as well as challenging courses for experienced riders. Stay in a self-catering cottage at The Old Stable Mews or a suite in the lodge. You could meet the owners, who trace their lineage back to Attila the Hun.
Castle Leslie Estate
Glaslough
County Monaghan, Ireland
011-353-47-88100
castleleslie.com
