Holiday itinerary
Immerse yourself in a wide variety of delightful activities on this unique 6 night / 7 day horse riding and wine tasting holiday set in a spectacular region of France.
Spend your mornings learning how to communicate with, handle and ride our gorgeous Friesian and Spanish horses in our round pen and 40x20 riding school. Once you have safely mastered the basics, ride out to explore the beautiful surroundings on easy and relaxing trail rides. Horses are carefully selected to suit your specific needs so that you can relax and enjoy the unspoilt orchards, woodland and hilltops on horseback.
Gascony and the South West are renowned for producing some of the most delicious wines in the world and so Madiran is the perfect location to sample these fine wines. Your host, Charles, will teach you about the process from start to finish, with visits to local vineyards through to sampling the wines and analysing their content in fun and informative lessons.
You’ll stay in a charming renovated 19th century manor house set in 7 acres of grounds including orchards, vineyards, lakes, sunflower fields, ancient woodland and more making this the perfect place to really relax.
Your hostess Margaretha will be on hand throughout to assist with riding lessons and make sure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay, whilst her husband Charles will cook delicious three course dinners in the evenings.
With views of the Pyrenees mountains, unspoilt countryside surrounding the manor house, flexible and enjoyable horse riding lessons and unbeatable local food and wines, you will find it hard not to unwind on this horse riding and wine tasting holiday with a difference.
Suitability
- Horse riding holidays are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced riders
- Minimum age of 18 (minimum age of 14 if accompanied by an adult)
- Please note: Our horses unfortunately cannot take riders over 13.8 stone (90kg)
- Your hosts are British and French but all horse riding classes are taught in English
Travelling Solo?
- This horse riding and wine tasting holiday is a great singles holidays and singles are welcome
- Solo travellers can share a room with a guest of the same gender for no extra cost
- There are also NO single supplements if you wish to have your own private room, which makes this holiday a great option for solo travellers
- Should you wish to have your own private room, please state this in the ‘special requests’ box during the booking process
Non-Horse Riding Guests
-Non horse riding guests are welcome to share a room with a horse riding guest and still enjoy the food, wine and wine tuition
-For costing and details please see the costing and extras tab
Horse Riding And Wine Tasting Holiday Start Days
- Holidays run from April to November each year
- You can begin on any day of the week
- The horse riding and wine tasting holiday is 6 nights/7 days
- Check in from 4pm on day 1, and check out at midday on day 7
- The 4pm check in time is a guideline and your hosts will be happy to accommodate you should you wish to arrive earlier subject to availability
- If you wish to stay for extra nights please email to check availability for your preferred duration and we will do our best to accommodate you
- If dates appear ‘on request’ please email us and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival as quickly as possible
Horse Riding And Wine Tasting Holiday Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows. Please note that day 4 is a free day with no lessons:
Day 1- Arrival and welcome dinner
- Check into your room at the beautiful manor house any time after 4pm
- After settling in, you will make your way to the paddocks to meet the team and the horses
- You will have afternoon tea accompanied by a short presentation from your hosts about the team, horses and farm
- The rest of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure, exploring the surrounding area and hiking trails that lead to the nearest small village
- A three course dinner will be served at 7.30pm with an aperitif in the courtyard, and a chance to get to know your fellow guests
Days 2, 3, 5 and 6 – Meet the horses, lessons and wine tasting
- After a leisurely breakfast you will learn more about communicating with our horses and how to handle them safely, how to groom, tack up and pick horses hooves.
- Your hosts will then choose a Friesian or Spanish horse that is most suited to you and you will get to know your horse in a gentle ride around the round pen, and will work on your riding position and balance
- After you have mastered the basic riding skills in the round pen, you will ride in the 20x40 riding school
- Every day at midday, a picnic style lunch is served for you to enjoy under the oak trees, by the pond or in the orchard, followed by a siesta or sightseeing at your leisure
- Before dinner you will have a wine tasting lesson around 6pm, when Charles will introduce you to the local wines. You will also have the opportunity during the week to visit the Saint Mont wine cooperative, where you can sample a large variety of the region's best wines.
- Dinner is served al fresco and is a scrumptious 3 course dinner served with the region’s famous wines
Day 4 – Rest day
- Enjoy a break from horse riding today to explore the local area after breakfast
- Where you go today is up to you – try exploring the Basilica at Lourdes, visit Eugenie-les-Bains for a massage at the spa, go shopping in Pau or visit one of the golf courses in the area
- Your hosts will be more than happy to suggest places to visit and provide you with information on how to get there
- A full picnic basket is provided for lunch
- The evening is also free for you to visit one of the many local restaurants which your hosts will be able to recommend to you
Day 7 – Departure day
- After a leisurely breakfast, your host will accompany you on a ride on their own horses into the vineyards and wood surrounding the beautiful accommodation
- The trail takes you through a range of hills where you will see the spectacular views of the Pyrenees Mountains and it is an easy trek with some walking and trotting around the countryside
- You will then check out by 12pm ready to begin your journey back home, bursting with stories and memories to cherish from this unique holiday
About The Equestrian Centres And Your Tutors
- Your host Margaretha is a fully trained medical doctor and an equine-assisted confidence coach who has years of experience with horses
- Charles is a passionate wine connoisseur and a vintner of the city of London
- Charles also boasts a WSET diploma and many years of experience in the world of wine
- Margaretha breeds Friesian horses at the manor house, and currently has Friesians and a Lusitano stallion
About The Horses
- The manor house have their own horses (Friesians and Lusitanos) which all have their own individual personalities and merits
- The horses are well trained, schooled and suitable for all levels of riders from beginners to advanced
What Will I Learn?
Horse Riding
- You will experience traditional riding lessons combined with trail rides around the surrounding landscapes
- If you have arrived as a beginner the aim is that you will leave with a sincere love and understanding of horses
- As a beginner or novice you will begin to develop your skills by starting with saddling up and getting on, steering, stopping and getting off again
- You will continue by learning about balance and developing control over the horse working mainly on your balance to help to create a harmony between yourself and the horse
- The teaching methods are gentle and sympathetic and will point you to an understanding of natural horsemanship
- If you have ridden before, lessons will be tailored to your level and you’ll progress learning new skills during the week
Wine Tasting
- You will also discover the exceptional wines of the Gascony region through wine tasting sessions with a fully qualified wine expert with a WSET diploma
- You will visit a local vineyard and learn the process of making wine and meet the workers at the vineyard
- Your host and the workers at the vineyard will show you how the grapes are grown and how different styles of wines are produced
- You will taste many wines and learn to assess the merits of each wine as well as spot some common wine faults
Which Vineyards Will I Visit?
- You'll visit a selection of local vineyards during your stay which could include any of the following (depending on your personal interests):
- Saint Mont, Château Arricau Bordes, Château Barréjat, Château Bouscassé, Château d'Aydie, Cave et Château de Crouseilles, Château de Diusse, Château de Mascaraas, Château de Viella, Château Fitère, Château Floris, Château La Motte, Château Laffite-Teston, Château Latreille-Sounac, Château Montus, Château Peyros, Château Piarrine, Château Pouey, Clos Basté, Clos de l'Eglise, Clos Fardet, Cru du Paradis, Domaine Bassail, Domaine de Barbazan, Domaine de Benguérats, Domaine Bernet, Domaine Berthoumieu, Domaine Brana, Domaine Capmartin, Domaine Coustaü, Domaine Damiens, Domaine de Barbazan, Domaine de Grabiéou, Domaine des Bories, Domaine d'Héchac, Domaine Dou Bernès, Domaine du Crampilh, Domaine du Moulié, Domaine Hourcadet, Domaine Labranche-Laffont, Domaine Laffont, Domaine Laougué, Domaine Maouries, Domaine Mesté Bertrand, Domaine Monblanc, Domaine Mouréou, Domaine Peyrou, Domaine Pichard, Domaine Poujo, Domaine Sergent, Domaine Tailleurguet, Producteurs Plaimont and Domaine Betbeder.
The Accommodation
- Your accommodation is set in a beautifully restored traditional manor house which is over 200 years old
- The manor house was traditionally a vineyard owners house and has a great historic feeling to it
- The manor house is surrounded by secluded vineyards, orchards, lush meadows and ancient woods and 7 acres of land
- It is only 2km to the nearest village with a selection of shops
- There is an elegant dining room with a marble fireplace, a small but well equipped gym and an extensive library for guests to use
- Outside there are several informal seating areas in the garden, orchard and by the pond
- The manor house and it's annex has 3 large double bedrooms with double and queen size beds, and a single room with 2 single beds in
- All bedrooms have comfortable mattresses and hand-embroidered bed linen
- Bathrooms have a selection of eco-friendly toiletries and towels
- Complementary Wi-Fi is available
- Accommodation is included for 6 nights / 7 days
- Check in anytime after 4pm on day 1 and check out by 12 noon on day 7
Meals
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included for this holiday, except for dinner on day 4 (extra cost)
- Meals are usually served in the central walled courtyard or in the spacious dining room
- Breakfast consists of freshly baked bread with home-made jams and honey from a local bee-keeper, yoghurt, fruit from the local orchard, coffee, tea or hot chocolate
- Lunch is a picnic basket full of local delicacies that you can enjoy anywhere on site such as in a hammock in the orchard, lounging under the lime trees by the pond, on a bench under the oak trees or on a blanket amongst the vines
- Evening meals are always an unforgettable experience - your host is a wine connoisseur who loves cooking nearly as much as he loves wine and he will cook traditional meals from the Gascony region using either home-grown or locally sourced ingredients
- Dinner is accompanied by a local wine from your host’s own wine cellar which has been specially picked to complement the evening meal perfectly
- If you have dietary requests these must be communicated at the time of booking
Free Time Around Madiran
- This horse riding and wine tasting holiday is packed with riding and wine tasting but you will still have plenty of time to explore the surrounding area and local attractions
- There is a wide variety of activities to make the most of around Madiran, and guests are strongly encouraged to rent a car in order to explore these
- Ideas include water skiing, hiking, camel riding, cycling, mountain biking, canoeing on the Adour river, sailing on the lac de Plaisance, golfing in Pau, motor cycle racing, sightseeing, spa treatments and also various fêtes and festivals in surrounding towns
- Your hosts will be on hand to give you insider advice on the best places to visit on your day off on Wednesday including which restaurants to dine at in the evening
Spend your days horse riding through a variety of unspoilt rural locations and your evenings sampling the best wines the famous Gascony region has to offer on this tranquil and unique horse riding and wine tasting holiday set in this picturesque region of France