Category: Holidays

Whether you are a beginner looking to try something new or an experienced rider searching for exhilaration and excitement on horseback, there are some fantastic equestrian holiday destinations to be found worldwide for all ages, interests and abilities.

UK destinations

There are some fabulous horse-riding vacations to be had in the UK, with wonderful expanses of countryside and awe-inspiring English Heritage sites to visit and explore. From the breathtaking scenery of the magnificent Yorkshire Dales to the historic experiences found within Sherwood Forest, there is an equestrian break to suit all tastes. The Lake District offers some superb beach and fell rides and western Cumbria is simply stunning where the mountains meet the sea. Most UK horse-riding destinations provide quality accommodation and excellent stabling and grazing facilities for your four-legged friend. Horse hire is also widely available and all day riding tours for beginners and experienced riders alike are highly enjoyable. For more UK holiday ideas, check out equestrain-escapes.com.

Loire Valley, France

The beautiful Loire Valley in France is a must for those seeking a relaxing yet exciting horse-riding experience. Ride along the riverbanks and canter from castle to castle to view the astounding French architecture of these striking chateaus. With numerous cultivated gardens to enjoy and glorious vineyards where wine-tasting is greatly encouraged, this wonderful destination has thousands of trails and bridleways for a unique and picturesque holiday on horseback. For more information on the Loire Valley and the equestrian facilities on offer, visit cheval-et-chateaux.com.

Andalucia, Spain

From luscious forests and sprawling countryside to seemingly endless stretches of sandy beaches, there is much to be said of an equestrian holiday to the rich terrain of Andalucia. The brilliant Jerez Royal Equestrian School can be found in this region, and some spectacular activities and riding programmes are easily accessible such as show-jumping and dressage techniques. With miles of horse-riding trails to explore, it is easy to get lost with the wind in your hair and the spray from the sea in your face. The woodland trails are magnificent and wildlife can be found in abundance within the Barbate Nature Park where cliffs stand proud and ancient Roman roads can be followed.

Kenya, Africa

For a fabulous horse-riding adventure vacation, opt for an African safari. With world-renowned game reserves such as the Tsavo National Park and the Maasai Mara game reserve offering horse-riding across the open plains and guided tours to see the Big Five game animals, this is an experience not to be missed. The tour guides are second to none and game rides are always accompanied by Land Rover patrols for your safety and security. Accommodations include cosy log cabins and superb lodges featuring authentic African cuisine and panoramic views of the breathtaking surroundings. There is simply no better way to experience an African safari than by horseback. Visit farandride.com for other fantastic adventure destinations in and around Africa.

The Rocky Mountains, USA

The Rocky Mountains span the length of North America from New Mexico to Canada and offer stunning landscapes unlike anywhere else on the planet, especially when seen whilst riding a horse across the splendid terrain. With plenty of trails and bridleways and many guided tours readily available, a horse-riding vacation to this glorious region will be both action-packed and eternally memorable. Explore the Banff National Park in Canada or take in the mesmerizing views of Yellowstone National Park in the US as you gallop through the wide open plains. Opportunities to experience Western life on a working ranch are plentiful and provide a unique insight into the culture and history of the Wild West. Visit equitrekkingtravel.com for more details.

Within the past few years many government programs have come to light in support of cycling and are trying to make their cities more bicycle friendly. European cities have been some of the leaders in this surge towards more cycling for visitors and residents. As petrol costs continue to soar and environmental conservation becomes increasingly trendy, the bicycle is seeing a major resurgence as an urban transportation tool.

City planning is a crucial aspect in deeming the urban area bike-friendly. While America remains slow to embrace the growing cyclist culture, many world cities have been long-term bike supporters all along. Here’s a list of some of the best cities around the world for cycling.

Amsterdam – The Netherlands

It’s no surprise to see Amsterdam on the list. 40% of the city’s daily commutes are done on a bicycle. Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities and is well known around Europe as the cycling centre. Bike lanes flood the whole city and allow cyclists to travel around Amsterdam with ease. The bicycle is also the perfect mode of transportation for visitors who want to take in the beautiful sites. The city makes it easy for visitors and bicycle enthusiasts to rent a bike with the convenient Rent-a-bike Damstrat (www.rentabike.nl). Their bike renting service features every style of bicycle one could think of including classic Dutch bikes, family bikes, children’s bikes and more.

The city is also planning to construct a giant bicycle parking area at the train station. This will make Amsterdam even more bike-friendly, truly a cyclist’s dream city.

Bogota – Columbia

Bogota does not feature any fancy government programs or expensive city remodeling; the city’s cycling fame relies solely on its demographic. A very small percentage of the population owns a vehicle; close to 13 percent. Cycling is automatically the more convenient and intelligent choice for transportation in Bogota. The city embraces its cycling population with weekly street closures (70 miles of streets closed). This allows cyclists, skateboarders, runners and others to freely enjoy their commute without fear of engaging a vehicle.

The city has built over 300km of protected bike paths. For bike tours and rentals in Bogota check out http://www.bogotabiketours.com/.

Copenhagen- Denmark

Touted as the “worlds best city for cyclists”, Copenhagen (Denmark’s Capital) is on the fast track (no pun intended) in becoming the world’s best city for cyclists by 2015. It’s known that 55% of all citizens cycle to and from work. The city is known for its bike lanes, cycle parking and unique traffic dedicated to cyclists as well as 340km of cycle lanes throughout the city and major roads. Recently, the city implemented a “green waves” program in which traffic lights are timed to allow cyclists’ ride on through a red light as long as they maintain a speed of 20km/h. Finally, to top it off, the city has implemented bike stands throughout the city to solve parking.
http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/

Trondheim – Norway

Geographically, the city has its fair share of hills like any other city, but this issue is laid to rest with the Trampe bicycle lift. This is the only lift of its kind in the world and is now referred to as the “CycloCable” by locals. To use the lift, one would have to buy a keycard that is inserted in the card reader after you load up your bike. A useful invention to avoid a profuse amount of sweating after completing the hill (For some of us).

Beijin – China

Like other developing metropolitan cities, Beijing has an abundance of vehicles on the road. With that being said, traffic is very slow and congested, therefore a bicycle would be the logical derivative. This is a great experience if you want to get around, as you most definitely won’t be the only one doing it.

Some of the best walks in Wales are to be found in the hills and mountains. This part of the UK has been described as a ‘hiker’s paradise’ by Backpackers Magazine. Wales benefits from a rugged landscape that is hauntingly beautiful, and this means that walking in this part of the world is a real joy. There are trails here to suit all levels of hiking expertise, and the best of these would include:

Gribin Coastal Walk

The Gribin Coastal Walk in Dyfed, Pembrokeshire is a good option for hikers who are looking for something that is not too much of a challenge. It is a one mile walk that can be completed in about thirty minutes. The terrain is reasonably easy to navigate, and there is just a modest incline near the beginning of the walk ascending up a small hill. The Gribin Coastal Walk commences at Solva Harbour, and it follows a circular path through the headland that leads back to the harbour.

Snowdonia National Park Walks

Snowdonia National Park covers an area of 823 square miles. There are plenty of easy walks to choose from in the park, but if people are looking for more of a challenge they can choose to hike up Snowdon Mountain. This is the highest peak in Wales, and it is where George Mallory prepared for his Mount Everest expedition. The walks in this part of the world allow hikers to experience some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery in the world. One of the most popular hikes is the Snowdon Horseshoe which involves walking along the ridges in a loop that starts and ends at Pen y Pass. This 7 mile trail takes about 5 hours to complete, and it is not recommended for the inexperienced or anyone who is afraid of heights.

Rhossili Bay, Swansea

Rhossili Bay is located approximately 19 miles away from the centre of Swansea. This charming 3 mile beach often appears on postcards of Wales. The nicest walk here is along the beach, but it is possible to extend this hike by also going to Rhossili Down, which is located to the north of the village. The beach is covered in sand dunes, and there are also some tidal islands that it is possible to walk to when the tie is low. This can be a particularly nice place to walk in the evenings because the beach faces in a westerly direction, and this means that sunsets can be spectacular here.

Brecon Beacons National Park

The Brecon Beacons is the best hiking destination in South Wales. This National Park covers an area of 519 square miles, and it includes 7 peaks with the highest being Fan y Big, which is 719 metres above sea level. Some of the most enjoyable hiking is to be found to the west of the park around the Black Mountains. This is one of the most remote areas that people can visit in the UK, and the local scenery is breathtaking. It is important that people are cautions about hiking here because things can quickly go wrong if the weather deteriorates.

Hafod y Llan Walk

The Hafod y Llan Walk is located in Craflwyn, Eifionydd which is in North Wales – it is about 13 miles away from Bangor. This hike is approximately 4 miles, and it can be completed in less than 2 hours. Walkers get to experience a good mixture of terrain, and they will pass a large waterfall (Cwm Llan). The Hafod y Llan Walk begins at Bethania car park and ends at Craflwyn Hall.