The Dali Trail

Day 1
Arrival at Barcelona or Girona and transfer to a beautifully situated country hotel, a typical Catalonian house built of natural stone. It dates back to the 17th century, and it is surrounded by woods as well as walnut tree and olive groves. The location in this idyllic area where silence and tranquility prevail makes this guest house the ideal place to enjoy nature and to relax. The lovingly designed garden, the pool, the meadows, and forests provide a wonderful atmosphere. What a place to start your horse-riding holiday!

Day 2
Past peaceful rural villages, our path winds through the hilly landscape of Empordà. The sandy bottom and the shading crowns of the Mediterranean pine forest invite to long gallops. On the edge of the River Ter, we strengthen ourselves with a picnic. A soothing calm surrounds us. Later in the afternoon you will be in a fast pace to a pretty village at the foot of the Gavarra Mountains. We stay in a lovely, restored guest house.

Day 3
We ride through the magical old villages of the Empordanet. With echoes of the horses’ hooves on the old paving stones, you will be taken back in time in this hidden area of Catalonia. When we reach the village of Pubol you can visit the 14th Century castle of Gala, which Dalí gave to his wife, Gala, as a gift. We have lunch at a restaurant in the village before continuing our horse-riding experience to the beautiful village of Peratallada.

Day 4
This morning we will canter across the plain of Ullastret, which was a big lake in the Iberian times. A smooth trail leads us through mellow sand dunes and Mediterranean pine forests, up to the rough looking coastal mountain of Montgri. On top of the cliffs there is a magnificent view overlooking the endless sea. Sea birds glide with thermal winds over the coast and the lovely fragrances of rosemary, thyme and lavender surround us as we sit down to have Tapas and Vino tinto in the open air ‘restaurante Buffalo’. Later on, we follow the paths that lead us through sand dunes to the sea. We stay overnight in a hotel directly at the “Playa Grande”.

Day 5
As the day breaks you can smell the sea and taste the salty air. You are right by the sea with your horse and in front of you are miles of sandy beaches. With the sunrise, we will canter through the break point and your horse will play with the waves – they love the refreshing water.
Through the rice fields of the natural park near the coast we arrive at our domicile for this night: the oldest Andalusian P.R.E. Stud of Catalonia (P.R.E. = Pura Raza Española). But here, not only wonderful horses and their history do await us, but also charmingly furnished rooms. We can look around in peace and simply relax. And who knows: Perhaps you find here your dream horse! We will have lunch in Figueres and have the opportunity to visit the “Teatre Museo Dalí” and to stroll through the streets of the city in the afternoon. In the evening, we will surprise you with a delightful paella of seafood and fresh vegetables.

Day 6
We ride through sunflower and corn fields over the plains of the Alt Empordan. In long canters, we cross the marshlands of Aiguamolls.
This protected land is surrounded by the coastal mountain range of Rodas. At the foot of the mountain Joan serves a delicious picnic in the open air ‘restaurante Buffalo’. We continue our journey, and in the evening, we reach our accommodation, a restored mansion dating back to 1582. Surrounded by picturesque nature and a wide view of Alt Empordà and the Bay of Roses. Until the dinner we refresh ourselves in the pool or let us spoil with a massage.

Day 7
An old trade route winds through rocky terrain into the natural park of Cap de Creus. Home of Salvador Dali and third chain member of our Dali Trail. Here the last foothills of the Pyrenees sink into the electric blue sea.
Our four-legged friends climb over a pass to Cadaques, the pearl of the Empordà. The whitewashed fishing village with its old winding streets is rightly considered the most beautiful village on the Costa Brava.
The clear colors of the sky and sea, the excavated rock formations, the luminous bays and deep ravines inspired Dali for his works of art. The typical dinner in the restaurant of the fishing village rounds off the trail.

Day 8
After breakfast, transfer to the airports or continue to the Catalan Coastal Trail.

Catalan Coast & Spanish Horses

Day 1
Arrival at Barcelona or Girona and transfer to a beautifully situated country hotel, a typical Catalonian house built of natural stone. It dates back to the 17th century, and it is surrounded by woods as well as walnut tree and olive groves. The location in this idyllic area where silence and tranquillity prevail makes this guest house the ideal place to enjoy nature and to relax. The lovingly designed garden, the pool, the meadows and forests provide a wonderful atmosphere. What a place to start your horse-riding holiday!

Day 2
A delicious breakfast is followed by a short transfer to our horse farm Mas Alba where we meet our proud Spanish four-legged partners. We saddle the horses and start our first riding day that leads us through thick stone oak and pine forests towards the river Fluvia. Sunrays break through the deep green of the seemingly tropical jungle. Bamboo trees border the path, and high up creepers and vines grow around the trees. We are in Spain, but the atmosphere reminds us of Costa Rica. At the river, a lunch table prepared with love is waiting for us. We enjoy various Catalan delights. Fresh salad, Manchego cheese, home-made goat cheese, fruits such as figs, peaches and cherries complete the fantastic lunch. In the afternoon, we ride to our friend Bogi. The South American style garden is a wonderfully relaxing paradise. This unique and romantic place is the first accommodation for our well-trained horses and for us.

Day 3
Lonely paths are winding through the full-green flood plains along the river. A pleasant tranquillity surrounds us. We ride through the Catalonian stone villages and the hooves of our horses echo through the narrow streets and alleys. At a lake, we regain our strength with a tasty picnic. Later in the afternoon, we canter towards the coast. Depending on the season, we spend the night in a beautiful beach hotel by the sea, or in a mill from the 16th century close to the beach.

Day 4
In front of us we find a long sandy beach. The water splashes, the sand flies, and we canter into the sunrise. The horses play with the waves while we try to stay dry. An unforgettable experience! In the middle of the bay the river Fluvia flows into the sea. Behind the river lies the wetland of Aiguamolls. Amid the rice fields we discover our impressive accommodation for the night: Catalonia’s oldest P.R.E. (Pura Raza Española) Andalusian horse stud. The stud owns more than 30 brood mares and excellent stallions, some with a significant impact on the breeding of the Pura Raza Española. The horses, that are bred here, are not only characterised by their beauty, but also by their outstanding attitude and rideability. Besides wonderful horses and their history, charmingly furnished rooms await us. We have time to have a look around and to relax. And who knows – maybe you will find the horses of your dreams here! In this wonderful atmosphere we are spoilt with delicious paella with seafood and fresh vegetables in the evening. 

Day 5
Trotting and cantering we reach the medieval Castelló with its impressive cathedral. Crossing grazing land, we ride speedily and pass fields of vines and sunflowers on our way to Perelada. Here we arrive at the friendly guesthouse of Fina and Pere. The beautiful garden and the swimming pool are perfect for relaxing! We enjoy our picnic and look forward to the afternoon when we will visit the glorious castle of the town and the local Bodega (winery), where we will not only learn interesting facts about Cava, but we will have a Cava tasting as well. Salud!

Day 6
We follow the path of the River Llobregat and then ride through the wild landscape at the foot of the Albera Mountains. Cork and stone oak forests are now dominating the landscape occasionally interrupted by magical vineyards. We visit a family-run winery to try one of the best wines of this area and to indulge in Catalan delicacies. Full of new energy, we ride along laboriously built-up stone terraces, and ancient olive trees line the path. Numerous colourful flowers grow in the flood plains of Orlina. Mystically raised round rock formations and Celtic tombs from pre-Christian times remind us of a great past. The lowlands of the Ampurdán resemble an amphitheatre surrounded by mountains, whose exit is at the Gulf of Roses.

We stay the night at Emilia’s country house in the village of Garriguella, which lies in the wine growing district. The tasteful furnishing, the whirlpool and a nice ambience are perfect for relaxing. Emilia is well-known for her delicious Mediterranean cuisine which we can enjoy extensively.

Day 7
Diligently our horses climb over the coastal mountains, the last foothills of the Pyrenees. Having reached the crest, a breath-taking panoramic view on the entire Gulf of Lion up to the mysterious mountain Canigó is awaiting us. After a delicious picnic at the beach, we travel back to Emilia’s country house. It’s nearly time to say farewell. We enjoy our last dinner together and let a wonderful week come to an end.

Day 8
Transfer to Barcelona or Girona. Departure or continue to another trail.

Horizon Trail

Day 1

Horizon Trail: Ride and experience Spain!

Arrival in Barcelona or Girona and transfer to our first accommodation, a typical Catalan stone house. The tranquil location in the beautiful Catalonian countryside invites us to relax. At dinner, we meet our new "riding friends" and our tour guide.

Day 2

The lovely hinterland of the Wild Coast

We depart from the Panorama-Trails stables on our four-legged companions. Over fields and through dense forests our horses carry us reliably into the lonely outback of the Wild Coast. In this beautiful setting a soothing calm and peacefulness surrounds us and we discover hidden natural stone villages. In a good mood, we arrive at an old oil mill that has an enchanting charm. A hearty meal has already been prepared for us. With every bite of the delicious tapas and every sip of the fine oils we are allowed to taste, we immerse ourselves deeper into the flavors of this unique region.

Well rested, we ride to our accommodation in the afternoon. After caring for our faithful horses, we round off the day with another tasty dinner.

Day 3

P.R.E. Andalusian Stud Farm

This morning the River Fluvià accompanies us towards the sea. At some points we cross the river safely and pass through beautiful Catalan villages on horseback with resounding hoof clatter. Under old cork trees our trail assistant has already laid the table for lunch! What a magnificent place to enjoy the delights!

Strengthened, we get back on the road. In the afternoon, surrounded by rice fields, we arrive at our impressive home for the night.

The oldest P.R.E. Stud of Catalonia (P.R.E. = Pure Spanish Breed).

At the stud, the friendly owner proudly presents his horses and we learn many interesting facts about the history of the P.R.E. horse. And who knows, maybe you will find your dream horse here!

Day 4

The Plains of the Empordà

We leave the Stud Farm through the rice fields and ride across the plain of Empordà to Castelló de Empúries with its mighty cathedral.

We cross the northern marsh area of the Aiguamolls with its diverse birdlife. The Mediterranean Pyrenees frame the vast plain like an amphitheatre.

Near Roses, a luxurious house with a swimming pool and spa offers us a pleasant place to stay.

Day 5

Cap de Creus

Like mountain goats, our "Andalusians" climb into the mountainous Cap de Creus. High up on the pass we will be rewarded with breath-taking panoramic views: the Gulf of Roses stretches out to the south, while the Golf del Lleó lies to the north.

As we ride along, herbs and flowers line the path, and occasional cork oak groves add a touch of Mediterranean charm. We then descend into a peaceful valley framed by rolling hills. Soon, we pass through a picturesque village, its winding alleys and traditional houses transporting us back in time. Here, a delicious lunch awaits at a popular restaurant known for its warm hospitality.

After this refreshing break, we continue through the stunning landscapes of the nature park, eventually arriving at the bustling fishing village of Port de la Selva. Our accommodation for the night is an elegant hotel.

The afternoon is free for us to explore — whether relaxing on the beach or wandering through the village’s charming streets.

Day 6

The magical land of the Wild Coast

An old trade route winds through rocky terrain in the Natural Park of Cap de Creus.

This is where the last foothills of the Pyrenees sink into the electric-blue sea.

The vivid colours of the sky and sea, the eroded rock formations and the bright bays with their deep canyons immerse us in a bizarre coastal landscape.

In a beautiful bay we have a picnic and go for a swim - what paradise!

We spend our last night at Cadaqués, a jewel of the Costa Brava. The whitewashed fishing village, with its old, winding streets is justly considered the most beautiful village on the Wild Coast.

The best "Paella" in the village completes our last evening of the eventful journey.

Day 7

Hasta la vista!

Transfer to Barcelona or Girona or extension to another trail.