European Horse Riding Holidays Testimonials

Nancy & Corinna on Sierra Tejeda, Spain – April 2023

Los Olivillos is a fabulous place to relax and unwind all the while enjoying the fabulous horses and the hacks up, down and round the mountains. I have returned year after year since discovering this slice of Spanish heaven 8 yrs ago. Been there now more times than I can count. Run by the fabulous Donna and Steve ❤️ where nothing is too much trouble. From the wonderful food prepared by Donna. Locally sourced, from the fresh eggs from their chickens or from the organic garden. Not once have I had bad dish. Lemon, Lime and Orange trees to put into your G&T (or whatever is your tipple).
The horses are fabulous, the rides out (sometimes to the local pub as a pit stop)and views across the mountains is stunning. Never get tired of the views. So much so that I have just returned from another fabulous holiday at Los Olivillos and will be returning in August.
I can't recommend Los Olivillos highly enough or Zaras Planet who I book all my riding holidays with. Big thanks to Jill Dolan who is always on the other end of the phone for any and all questions or queries. If a riding holiday is something you are interested in please contact Zaras Planet and you will not be disappointed no matter where in the world you choose. They have many riding holidays all over the world

Nancy & Corinna Sierra Tejeda 21/04/2023

Victoria Wickens on the Krka Trail, Croatia – June 2022

The Krka trail is a ride through beautiful scenery, with varied terrain, offering fast riding across open countryside. The accommodation is basic but comfortable, the food plentiful and tasty, and every host makes you feel so welcome. The horses are really well looked after, and so sure footed (even when cantering on rocky paths!), and Bosko takes his job as chief photographer very seriously so everyone goes home with amazing memories captured on film. I go back year after year and never get tired of it. Highly recommended!

Victoria Wickens The Krka Trail, Croatia 21/04/2023

Regina on Monterasato, Italy

I just wanted to drop a little line to say a massive thank you for all your help with regards to our brilliant holiday that we’ve just come home from. I can’t recommend the place highly enough… The whole experience was second to none.. people, food, horses, accommodation… Loved the holiday so much and already planning on returning!

Regina Fahy Ireland Monterasato, Italy 07/04/2023

Ina on the Donana Adventure, Spain

The horses, the guides and whole ride was fantastic. It’s an exceptionally well run ride and the accommodation and food was stand out. One of the best parts was visiting El Rocío, felt like being in the wild west but in Europe…super cool….thank you yet again for your great service and recommendation….where to next?

Ina Ruthenberg, Germany Donana Adventure, Spain 07/04/2023

Carole Newton on the Camargue, France

Where to start? there is so much to tell... I had the most amazing adventure! Was picked up from the airport by my very own cowboy Laurent! Who was my companion every day of my holiday and he was charming and great fun. Dropped me at the house and gardens are beautiful and my room had absolutely everything I could want. The staff were all very friendly and couldn't do enough for me. And the food !!!! The kitchen was closed on the first evening but they had made me a very tasty casserole accompanied by the locally grown rice. After that in the restaurant every evening and I can only say it was fabulous I can honestly say I have never had anything like it and dinner each night was absolutely delicious.

Now the riding, so it turned out I was the only one that was there riding which was the luckiest thing for me! Laurent picked me up on the first day and I was meant to have 2 hours but we went slightly over that as he showed me all over the manade! Then he said now I see you ride tomorrow you have a working horse! True to his word I had a beautiful and very well trained horse the next morning and we were out 3 1/2 hours with the gardians rounding up bulls for a show that evening. He then asked if I would like to go, of course I said yes and he picked me up and we drove to Arles I think? and watched the bulls in the ring. Frederick Bon came over and introduced himself and explained what was going on. On the way back we took the scenic route so I could see a bit more of the beautiful Camargue. The next day was an early start 7am as manade Jacques Bon was putting on a demonstration by the gardians with a lunch included. So again we rounded up more bulls and late morning crowds arrived and we watched bulls being lassoed and branded. I said to Laurent shall I go back to the hotel he said no you are a gardian now you stay eat with us so I had a lovely lunch with a fair bit of wine a jazz band was playing and the atmosphere was great. Laurent then said stay and ride I have clients this afternoon. So I had an afternoon of riding too and he let me ride his quarter horse!!!. It really was the experience of a lifetime and I can't thank you enough. Got to say I didn't really want to go home. I really want to go back but doubt I can better my first experience. Once again thank you so much!

Carole Newton UK 20/01/2018

Joy Voeth on Beach & Countryside Riding, Spain

It was a phenomenal week!! I had an amazing time. I fell head over heels in love with my horse (Delicado). He was everything I have ever wanted in a horse - and everything I had asked for - full of energy, forward going, and quiet in the head. Caroline did a great job of matching each of us with the right horse. I was in love from the first moment. I loved the terrain. The beach gallops were awesome!!

The hotel was clean and comfortable and the staff helpful. The food was scrumptious. I really liked the little town of Barbate and it was lovely to be able to relax on the beach in the afternoon. Caroline and Steve were very kind and safety conscious and looked after us beautifully. It was an unforgettable week.

Thank you so much for your help and for making it so easy logistically. With the info I received from you and your team, I came well prepared. I'm already plotting when and where I can do my next horse holiday. I'm excited to check out somewhere new.... and I'd love to return to Fantasia to ride Delicado again.

I would wholeheartedly recommend the ride and Zara's planet.

Joy Voeth USA 20/01/2018

Pat on Wellow Farm Horse Riding Holidays, UK

We had a great time and as a horsey person (Riding for the Disabled Volunteer) we loved staying in the modern holiday cottage in the stable yard. The riding was superb on good horses on some of the best on and off road routes and fields in the south-west. My family from Australia will be joining me in another break later this year, when their children can enjoy the Shetland ponies and the farm animals!
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Pat from Norfolk, UK 09/11/2014

Chris on Cattle Herding Holiday, UK

There was a great atmosphere and it felt like a really special moment, when the cows came out of their winter housing, the first time since the autumn. We started to herd them over the tracks, across the dam and out onto the open moor. Mostly the cows know where they are going but there is a certain amount of sending people on ahead to do gates and getting them to go the right way, plus keeping them together on the moor. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It took a good few of hours to get them across to their grazing area, having navigated some bogs and rocky areas along the way.

We had started off in beautiful sunshine but by the time we left the cows it was very wet so we trotted on and then power walked home as it got increasingly miserable (and we cursed ourselves for not following Phil’s recommendation for full waterproofs).

Back at the farm, the horses were stabled and we went in to warm up, get dry and enjoy a fabulous, leisurely late lunch of home made pies and cakes. A better morning I haven't had, despite the weather and one I shall repeat again - looking to see if I can get away for the week to bring them back down for the Autumn!

Chris Cousens from Edinburgh 09/11/2014

Chris Allsop on Trans Wales Trail, UK

In every other respect it was a great week - not least because of the very hospitable Turner family. I used to go to Wales a lot as a child, but I haven't been out in the Welsh countryside for years. I had forgotten how beautiful it is - and wild in places. You travel the world looking for great riding country - and then discover it on your doorstep.

Chris Allsop from UK 09/11/2014

Louise Berridge on Beach Ride Holiday, Spain

Just returned home from my second trip to Barbate. I've done quite a few different riding holidays and this is the best by far, in every way. The horses are willing, responsive, trustworthy and exciting to ride, while behaving impeccably. They install complete confidence in their riders. There are still places left I want to see, so I will be returning again soon. You are both great hosts and very welcoming, thanks so much for another unforgettable week.

Louise Berridge from Hampshire 09/11/2014