Yippee, your Catalan riding adventure is about to begin! If you’re flying into Barcelona or Girona today, you’ll have plenty of time to get your bearings before meeting the group transfer at Barcelona Airport at 5:30pm or Girona Airport at 6:30pm.

From here you’ll be brought to your first hotel, a typical 17th century Catalan country house constructed with natural stone. The serenity will put you in holiday mode in record time as you take in the groves of walnut and olive trees, lovingly tended garden, pool, meadows and wild forests. What a place to start your horse riding holiday! There’ll be time to enjoy your surroundings or take a swim in the pool before getting to know your hosts and fellow riders over dinner later in the evening (be prepared, globetrotters, dinner is typically served at around 9pm).

After gobbling down a delicous breakfast and packing your bags, you’ll take a short transfer to your host’s farm, Mas Alba, to meet the noble, proud Andalusians who will escort you through Catalonia! You’ll tack up your beautiful steed then get straight into the saddle. Today’s path meanders through thick forests of oak and pine that are oddly reminiscent of a tropical jungle, with dappled sun rays breaking through the lush green foliage. Tall thickets of bamboo line the path as you ride towards the River Fluvia, and high overhead, vines and creepers weave through the dense canopy.

Reaching the river, you’ll find a gorgeous shady picnic spot where the horses can doze while you enjoy a tasty saddlebag-packed lunch.

Having acquainted yourself with the traditional afternoon siesta, you’ll mount up again and ride through the expansive valley of the River Fluvia.

Finally, you’ll arrive at your accommodation for the night, a unique country house surrounded by a heavenly South American-style garden. More fresh Catalan fare will be dished up tonight before your cosy bed beckons.

Today your guides will lead you along winding tracks through the verdant, tranquil flood plains beside the river. Emerging into sleepy stone villages, the horses’ hooves will echo through the narrow streets and alleyways.

When the river meets a shimmering lake, you’ll dismount for another saddlebag picnic followed by a siesta under the trees. Then, having replenished your strength, you’ll ride on towards the Catalan coast with some windswept canters along the way.

Depending on the time of year, tonight’s accommodation will be either a beautiful hotel or a 16th century mill, both of which are in stunning seaside locations.

This morning you’ll wake up early so you can mount up in time to canter through the salty waves at sunrise. Wind in your hair, your horse’s hooves thudding rhythmically on the sand, golden light spilling across the beach – does life get any better than this, globetrotters?! The horses will happily play in the waves before trit-trotting along the banks of the estuary where the River Fluvia meets the ocean.

Heading inland, you’ll come to the expansive Aiguamolls wetland. Countless birds will soar overhead, flit through the undergrowth and splash in the shallows as you make your way across this beautiful natural park. Then, emerging from amidst the rice fields like a mirage, Catalonia’s oldest Andalusian horse stud lies before you! This place is home to over 30 broodmares and many magnificent stallions, including some big names in the P.R.E. (Pura Raza Española) world. They are not just dreamboats: they’re also famously good-tempered, willing and rideable.

Oh – and did we mention you’re staying the night? Yep – the stud has its own hotel, so settle in and take your time exploring this history-filled equestrian paradise.

In the evening, the chefs will prepare a sumptuous paella with seafood and fresh, seasonal vegetables. This will be a day to remember, globetrotters.

A mouthwatering breakfast will be served at the stud this morning, then you’ll pack your bags once again and say adios to the Andalusians and their beautiful home. The pace picks up today, with plenty of invigorating trots and canters en route to the medieval town of Castelló with its gothic cathedral. There will be time to take a quick look around, then more high-flying canters will bring you through picturesque meadows, vineyards and sunflower fields.

Reaching the town of Perelada, you’ll dismount at a friendly, family-owned guesthouse. Here you’ll enjoy your lunch before strolling through the charming garden, cooling off in the pool or indulging in a siesta.

Afterwards, your guides will take you to Perelada’s jaw-dropping castle, followed by the local Bodega (winery). Here you’ll learn all about Cava, Catalonia’s favourite sparking wine, before taste-testing the local vintage. Salud!

Tonight, another Catalan feast will be conjured up at the guesthouse, then you’ll roll into bed to rest up for another unforgettable day’s riding.

Today’s path winds alongside the River Llobregat before reaching the foothills of the Albera Mountains. Ancient forests of cork and oak dominate, but every now and then elegant vineyards appear through the trees. At one such vineyard, you’ll ride up to the cellar door to try some of the region’s best wines and indulge in Catalan delicacies.

With a full belly and a warm flush in your cheeks, you’ll mount up and trot along stone terraces that were laboriously constructed, stone by stone, in ancient times. Gnarled old olive trees line the path, and there are plenty of smooth stretches where you can savour your Andalusian’s smooth, spirited canter. You’re approaching the floodplains of Orlina, where wildflowers bloom abundantly amidst age-old, mysterious rounded rock formations and weather-beaten Celtic tombs. As you cross the lowlands of the Ampurdán, you’ll be able to see the lay of the land, which resembles an amphitheatre enclosed by the mountains, spilling out into the far-away Gulf of Roses.

Your final stop is a country house in the village of Garriguella, nestled between vineyards. You can really settle in here, globetrotters, because you’ve got a two-night stay. Trust us, when you taste your host Emilia’s legendary Mediterranean cuisine, you’ll understand why one night isn’t enough! The tasteful furnishings, spa and relaxed atmosphere will have you feeling at home in no time.

Your last day in the saddle begins with a delectable breakfast courtesy of Emilia. Then your noble steed will carry you untiringly over the rugged Pyrenees foothills until you reach the Gulf of Lion. Standing at the highest point of the coastline, you’ll be astounded by the soaring view. From this vantage point, you can see along the coast all the way to the horizon on one hand, and back to the imposing peak of The Canigó, a mountain of special significance to the Catalan people, on the other.

When you’ve had your fill of the panoramic views, you’ll descend the rocky slopes to the beach. The Catalan saddlebag picnic you’ve come to know and love awaits on the pebbly shore, after which you might like to take a dip in the sea. Finally, it’s time to head back to Emilia’s country house.

You’ll have some free time to spend as you please before sitting down for a farewell dinner with your fellow guests and guides, no doubt reminiscing about the amazing week you’ve had together.

After breakfast, you’ll bid a fond farewell to your Catalan friends and catch your chosen transfer back to either Girona or Barcelona airport for onward travel.

A collective airport transfer service is available at Barcelona and Girona Airports on arrival and departure days only. Please note, the price is payable in cash direct upon arrival.

FROM BARCELONA AIPORT – €75 pp, one way.

Pick up time is 5:30pm on arrival day (please ensure your flight arrives no later than 4:45pm for T1 and 4:15pm for T2). Please meet in Terminal 1 at the Group Meeting Point North in front of the CAFE LA TRAMOIA, which is situated opposite the ‘Oficina de Turisme’ (tourism office) – on your right after you clear customs. If you land at Terminal 2, there’s a free shuttle bus departing every 5 minutes that will bring you to Terminal 1.

Departing flights on the final day can be booked from 2:30pm onwards.

FROM GIRONA AIRPORT – €60 pp, one way.

Pick up time is 6:30pm on arrival day (please ensure your flight arrives no later than 6:00pm). Please meet in front of CAFE CAFFRICCIO in the Arrivals Hall. Departing flights on the final day can be booked from 1:00pm onwards.

SELF DRIVE – €60 pp, total.

The other option is self-driving to the start of the ride. Closer to departure, our local hosts will inform you of the exact address of the ride starting point (the trail can be ridden in either direction – this is decided closer to departure) where you can leave your car for the duration of the ride. Please be aware that the trail starting point and end point are NOT the same, hence the additional transfer cost of €60 to return you to your car on departure.

**Depending on your travel plans, Globetrotting recommends you catch the transfer service from Girona as opposed to Barcelona. Not only do you save money, but Girona is a lovely town to explore and spend some time in, and it’s only a short and easy train journey from Barcelona.