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The French Trail to Santiago - Horse Riding Holiday in Galicia, Spain

months available

April, May, June, July, August, September, October

Facilities & Awards

Description

A seven day excursion (6 nights) departing from CEBREIRO at 6 p.m. lying on the border between the provinces of Lugo and León - a medieval town surrounded by spectacular mountain landscape where you can still see the primitive dwellings known as "pallozas" and which resemble those built by Celtic settlers. The meeting point will be at Santiago's airport.

We will travel through an un-spoilt countryside of hills, rivers, mountain ranges and valleys with lush vegetation and visit sanctuaries, fortresses, manor houses and see a wide range of Romanic architecture to arrive in the evening of the sixth day in SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA where we will visit the city and the cathedral. Board and lodging in First Class Hotel. The itineraries include accommodation and full board, plus professional guides, escorts and insurance, fully-kitted horses and cross-country vehicles.

This way was the oldest and most important cultural route of Europe. All the spiritual and cultural grounds are alive today so one thousand years after this pilgrimage way is still in use.

We shall ride along the final section of this route just starting at the point where this route reaches Galicia. As a horse-riding pilgrims we shall revive a part of the history of the old Europe.

We shall cross along some of the best conservated natural environments of Southern Europe. Remote old villages and historic remains will be reached by us and we shall enjoy nature and wildlife as the ancients did.

Holiday Details
Product ID: 1017
Type: Scheduled Group Tour
Country: Spain
Theme: Horse Back Riding and Walking Trails
Region: Galicia
Group Size: 2 People or more
Start City: Santiago de Compostela
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Lodging: Rural Hotels/Manor Houses
Season: Apr - Oct

Day by Day Itinerary: 7 Days / 6 Nights

DAY 1: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (AIRPORT OR CITY HOTEL TRANSFER) - O CEBREIRO
We go for you at your hotel or airport.
Meeting at Valiña's guest country house (O Cebreiro, LUGO).
Welcome dinner and lodging in a warm atmosphere. Proprietress Ms María Pilar's kindness we make us feel at home. D

DAY 2: O CEBREIRO - TRIACASTELA - SAMOS
Visit to O Cebreiro where we'll visit some interesting Celtic historic remains.
Horse trip to Triacastela across deep forest of centenarian walnut trees, oaks and chestnut trees.
Country lunch at Triacastela, old village with an interesting Romanesque church.
Horse riding to Samos across Oribio valley. We'll ride across a beautiful natural environment and we'll visit the pre-Romanesque chapel and monastery of Samos where monks pray and work.
Board and lodging at the Hostelry of the Benedictine monastery of Samos.  B, L, D

DAY 3: SAMOS - SARRIA -BARBADELO - MERCADO DA SERRA - PORToMARIN
Horse riding to Sarria across prairie and forest. We'll visit an old convent and a medieval castle.
Ride down Miño valley. We'll enjoy lovely landscape and we'll visit an old temple at Barbadelo.
Country lunch at Mercado da Serra by an old water mill.
Horse riding to Portomarín across the reservoir of Belesar.
Board and lodging at Portomarín Hotel (state-owned). B, L, D

DAY 4: PORTOMARIN - vilar de donas - portomarin
Horse riding across Ulla valley in a pleasant river and country environment. We'll visit some Romanesque historic remains.
Country lunch.
Horse riding to Vilar de Donas. There we'll visit the outstanding Romanesque temple and we'll enjoy some medieval paintings. This temple was the seat of the military order of Santiago, knights that fought banditry in this pilgrimage route.
Board and lodging at Portomarín Hotel (state-owned).  B, L, D

DAY 5: portomarin - melide - furelos - pambre - castañeda - arzua
Horse riding to Melide. We'll cross an old bridge at Furelos and we'll visit a medieval castle at Pambre. This is a well-known area for its old water mills.
Country lunch.
Horse riding to Castañeda. There we'll visit some medieval lime kilns; many pieces made there were used in the construction of Santiago's Cathedral.
Board and lodging at Arzúa. B, L, D

DAY 6: arzua - lavacolla - monte do gozo - santiago de compostela
Horse riding to Labacolla. Pilgrims washed one selves there in a brook before visiting the Sacred Sepulcre at Santiago's Cathedral. We'll reach Monte do Gozo (it means joy hill) from where a nice view of Santiago de Compostela can be seen.
Country lunch.
Visit to the Santiago's Cathedral, the end of a large pilgrimage route.
Board and lodging in a three or four star Hotel. B, L, D

DAY 7: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Breakfast in the morning and independent departure arrangements B

END OF TOUR SERVICES

What's Included:

FURTHER DETAILS:
- We provide you with a full equipped horse well adapted to this land. You can also bring your own horse (Ask for details!). You don't need to be an expert rider but some riding experience is preferable.
- Weather in Galicia is variable but mild. Anyway, light coat and waterproof wear is recommended. Recommended season for mild weather are from March to October.

THE TOUR INCLUDES:
- Transfers where specified in itinerary above
- English-Speaking Tour director accompanying the group for the duration of the tour
- 4wd vehicle for equipment and support for the duration of the tour
- 05 Days of Riding
- 06 nights in Standard double room with in accommodation listed in itinerary above
- (B) Breakfast where listed in itinerary above
- (L) Lunches where listed in itinerary above (Country Lunches)
- (D) Dinners where listed in itinerary above (Normally in accommodations)
- Local Taxes
- Detailed tour information at the time of final booking

THE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Airfare
- Train tickets
- Transfers not specified in itinerary
- Entrance fees when not with guide
- Beverages not specified in selected meals
- Meals not specified in itinerary
- Laundry Expenses
- Telephone & Facsimile charges
- Excess Baggage charges
- Passport & Visa fees
- Personal & Travel Insurance
- Airport & Departure Taxes
- Optional excursions
- Room Service
- Gratuities to the Driver & Guide

Lodging: 

HOTEL OVERNIGHTS
1 O CEBREIRO - country house

1 SAMOS - Hostelry

2 PORTOMARIN - 3* HOTEL

1 arzua - Country house

1 SANTIAGO - 3* or 4* HOTEL
 
HOTEL HIGHLIGHT:

POUSADA DE PORTOMARIN 3*
In the heart of the Pilgrim's Way.  The ousada de Portomarin lies at the very heart of the Pilgrim's Way, on the borders of the river Miño and surrounded by spectacular scenery. Framed within this incomparable setting, our Hotel is the ideal place to spend a memorable holiday.

PRIVATE GROUP DEPARTURES:
- If you get a minimum of 6 PAX together we can organize a trip any date under this condition.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
If you decide to cancel your reservation no money will be reimbursed, but you could have the possibility to change the starting date for you trip. Some Terms and Condition for this tour may differ from our General Terms and Conditions, please contact us for full details regarding conditions on this tour. 

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