Sunday - You are collected from Seville and driven up into the Sierra and to the Finca el Moro; a journey of one and a half hours.
Monday - 4 hrs riding. After breakfast a few moments to accustom you to the vaquero tack and to feel happy with your horse and you are off. Cantering north across the sierra to Valdelarco and tapas lunch in the plaza. On after lunch up the river valley and passing vineyards and cherry orchards you return to Finca el Moro, where you can relax, make yourself tea in your cottage, have a swim or a siesta before a splendid dinner.
Tuesday - 6 hours riding. Leaving anything that you don't wish to take with you in your room at the farm, (your Seville clothes for example) you leave for your Journey on Horseback To Castaño de Robledo, a route giving wonderful views all the way to Portugal. A stop for coffee and then onto lunch in the village of Santa Ana. Afterwards along the southern face of the sierra to the historic village of Almonaster La Real. The rooms look out onto the C10th mosque built on the
remains of a C1st Roman temple. Spring comes early this far south. The mimosas, cherries and the first of the wild narcissi in February. Peonies and lavender soon follow and the villages fill with the heady scent of jasmine and orange trees.
Wednesday - 5 hours riding. Time to visit the mosque before leaving for the day spent riding the gentle country of the foothills. Cork and cattle country. Through aromatic pine forest with views over the hills rolling down to towards the coast. Lunch in Santa Ana and finally to arrive in Alájar. The night spent in the recently restored coaching inn, the village full of pomegranates, bouganvilla and orange trees. A C16th century shrine to the legendary Queen of the Angels looks down on you from the cliff above.
Thursday - 4 hours riding. An easier day. To the charming village of Linares for lunch, where the old spring fed washhouse is still in use in the square and the houses are famous for their intricately cobbled front steps. Then onto Aracena, in time for shopping and the evening 'paseo'. The floodlit Templar Church and Castle on the hill above. Overnight in a small country hotel near this pretty and lively market town
Friday - 6 hours riding.An exhilarating final days ride. Through the rolling cattle and cork country around the lake carpeted with wild flowers in early spring, black vultures and honey buzzards sailing the thermals overhead. Mostly private land it is in a corner of the real Spain that is not often visited. Finally we arrive back at the farm - El Moro - the journey complete. Back to your cottage and room to relax before a splendid valedictory dinner.
Saturday - Leave after breakfast to the ancient and evocative city of Seville. The narrow streets perfumed with orange tree and the walls covered in tangles of jasmine and plumbago. A chance to stroll the streets lined with palm trees, purchase wonderful ceramics, or sit and watch it all from the pavement cafés. If you would like to stay on on Seville please have a look at the list of hotels we recommend on the "Staying in Seville" pages.
