SPAIN AT AT CANTER

Transfer from Madrid to Segovia, about 1-and-a-half-hour drive. Accommodation at the Hotel San Antonio El Real, a luxurious 4* hotel, built in the cloisters of an ancient monastery from the 15th century, in the heart of the city of Segovia, a 5 min walk from the Roman Aqueduct.

Transfer to the Equestrian Centre to see the stables and the horses. After meeting the horses, panoramic visit of the city of Segovia by car and a welcome drink in the Segovia main square.

Welcome dinner and night at the hotel.

Morning ride from Segovia to the forest of Valsaín. We will follow transhumance trails, such as Cordel de Santillana and the Cañada Real Soriana to get to the source of water to of the Roman aqueduct, following the reservoir waters and the Acebeda stream.

Then following the Eresma river valleys, we will get to the forest of Valsaín for a picnic lunch. These forests were traditionally hunting reserves for the kings of Castile and nowadays they are protected nature parks.

In the afternoon, you will ride to La Granja de San Ildefonso, where you will stay at the luxurious National Parador of La Granja 4*. Visit of the baroque palace and the gardens of this royal site, built in the times of Felipe V.

Dinner and night at the Parador.

From La Granja we will rejoin the Cañada Real, at the Caserio de Gamones. We will ride on the slopes of the Sierra de Guadarrama, until we get to Sotosalbos. Aperitivo stop and visit of the Romanesque church from the 13th century. Riding through countryside of holm oaks, we will get to our picnic stop, near the river Cega.

In the afternoon, we will ride by the Ermita de Las Vegas, and follow the Cega river to Pedraza.

This is a beautiful medieval village, with an imposing castle, charming, cobbled streets, and a charming main square.

Dinner and night in the Hotel de la Villa, a 3* hotel in the heart of the village.

Today we will enjoy a half-day ride. From Pedraza, and we will follow ancient bridle paths. Through nearly abandoned rural villages, with a typical architecture in stone and timber. We’ll stop for an aperitivo in the country. Riding through open farming land, we will reach the plains where stands the fortress of the Castle of Castilnovo, where we will end today’s ride.

Transfer to the medieval city of Sepúlveda.

Lunch is in a local restaurant, the most delicious lamb roast.

In the afternoon, drive to the Duraton river gorges and the jewel Ermita de San Frutos.

Dinner and night at the hotel Posada de San Millán in Sepúlveda.

This day we follow the Duraton river, riding in the valley and the hill of los Cortos. We will stop for an aperitivo at the Duraton villlage. We will ascent towards the Sierra to rejoin the Cañada Real (wide and open transhumance trail).

Picnic lunch near Enebralejo. In the afternoon we will pass Enebralejo, where we can stop to visit the prehistoric caves. Ride on to Pradena a typical mountain village.

Dinner and night at the Posada del Acebo (“The Holly bush Inn”, typical family house from the 18th century.

We will ride in the slopes of the Sierra de Guadarrama, in the Cañada Real, and thourhg the oak forest of Pradena. Aperitif stop in the Cañada, which we will follow until we get to Navafría, a mountain village with a timber production tradition. Picnic lunch by the river Cega.

In the afternoon ride to Collado Hermoso. Dinner and night at the boutique Hotel El Rancho de la Aldegüela in Torrecaballeros.

Morning ride passing with exciting canters in the open countryside. Aperitivo at the well-preserved remains of an old ranch, where shepherds use to stop with their flocks to sheer the sheep, during the long transhumant journeys. Short fun ride back to the stables in Segovia, crossing the Eresma river.

Late launch at the restaurant of the Hipica Eresma. Transfer to the hotel San Antonio El Real ****.

Farewell dinner and the world-famous restaurant Cándido, by the Roman Aqueduct.

After breakfast transfer to Madrid, arriving there about 12 noon. All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid prior to noon, all riders will depart earlier - or we will arrange an alternative transfer at an extra cost.

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