England: Dartmoor national park

Day 1

England is a country with a deeply rooted and historic equestrian culture. Nowhere else in the world does the grass seem quite so green, and with this riding holiday we invite you to explore one of its beautiful National Parks on horseback. …..wild moorlands, deep river valleys, stone circles….this is the mystical Dartmoor National Park. We are in the county of Devon, characterized by sparse and marshy vegetation, which gives the entire area its typical moorland appearance, and famous for the many prehistoric remains found throughout the region. Fascinating is the mysticism surrounding these lands: it is said to be a meeting place for goblins, a headless horseman and a huge black, hairy creature known as the "Beast of Dartmoor".
In 1901, the writer Arthur Conan Doyle even set one of the most haunting and celebrated adventures of his character Sherlock Holmes here: The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Exploring Dartmoor on horseback allows you to cover considerable distances while still having enough time to enjoy the landscape around you. You can choose an itinerant route or the comfort of staying in one place for the entire week and riding along different trails every day.
Immerse yourself in the timeless mystical landscapes of Dartmoor National Park!
ITALY/EXETER/ LYDFORD (-/-/-)
Flight to Exeter Airport (EXT) to be arranged. Upon arrival, meet our local representatives and transfer to your hotel, Castle Inn Lydford. Meet the guides and presentation of the programme. Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

LYDFORD (B/L/-)
Breakfast and short transfer to the riding centre. Horses will be assigned and the day will be dedicated to getting acquainted with your horse in a relaxed atmosphere. Packed lunch enjoyed in the English countryside and return in the late afternoon. Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

LYDFORD (B/L/-)
From the stables we will set off for a full day in the saddle across Dartmoor to the Two Bridges Hotel, located in the heart of Dartmoor National Park. Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

LYDFORD /TWO BRIDGES (B/L/-)
Today's destination is a B&B farm near Widecombe. It is a beautiful moorland farm where guests will have the opportunity to experience a taste of rural life.
Guests will be taken to a local inn of their choice for dinner (not included). Overnight at Drywell Farm.

Day 5

TWO BRIDGES /CHAGFORD(B/L/-)
Another 4/5 hours in the saddle as the ride continues through the beautiful landscapes of Dartmoor until reaching Chagford. Overnight at the Three Crowns Inn (Note for the August departure: a day out of the saddle is planned to visit the Chagford Show.)

Day 6

CHAGFORD/ LYDFORD (B/L/-)
Return to the stables with a full day in the saddle. Dinner at leisure and overnight at Castle Inn Lydford.

Day 7

LYDFORD/ EXETER/ITALY (B/-/-)
Breakfast and transfer to the airport in time for your flight back to Italy.

Note: The itinerary described above is to be considered indicative. It may be subject to changes due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
Equestrian stays lasting 6 and 4 nights

Notes:
(B/L/D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = Dinner
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°

DURATION: 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°°(INTERMEDIATE)
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel
EQUIPMENT: WESTERN SADDLE (or English saddle on request with some Irish horses)
HORSES: QUARTER HORSES, superbly trained, gentle but tireless. IRISH HORSES
PACE: FROM 4 TO 6 HOURS PER DAY IN THE SADDLE. We will cover approximately 25/30 km per day, mainly at walk or trot, although there will also be opportunities to canter. Riders are required to be confident controlling their horse in open spaces and to be able to saddle and unsaddle. The terrain is varied, with uphill and downhill sections and some river crossings.
WHAT TO BRING: The use of a riding helmet is compulsory (only a few are available locally), layered riding clothing, including waterproof clothing. Casual change of clothes for the evening, insect repellent.
MINIMUM AGE: 14 years
MAXIMUM AGE: 65 years
MAXIMUM WEIGHT: 95 kg
TYPE: Equestrian stay with accommodation in a hotel (6 or 4-night option)
Semi-itinerant riding holiday (6-night option)

ACCOMMODATION:
In the 6-night option (or 4-night option), all overnight stays will be at The Castle Inn Lydford hotel (or similar).
A 16th-century residence located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. It offers its guests 8 elegant bedrooms equipped with flat-screen TV, hairdryer, tea or coffee making facilities, Wi-Fi; restaurant and pub.
It is also possible to stay in bungalows at the stables, with use of the lodge kitchen.

In the 6-night semi-itinerant option, the overnight stays will be as follows:
night 1 and 2: Castle Inn Lydford
night 3: Two Bridges Hotel
night 4: Drywell Farm
night 5: Three Crowns Inn
night 6: Castle Inn Lydford

Guaranteed shared departure dates, minimum 1 person departing from Italy:
ITINERANT VERSION (6 nights)
From 16/05 to 22/05
From 04/07 to 10/07
From 22/08 to 28/08

EQUESTRIAN STAY VERSION
From 23/05 to 29/05 - 6 nights
From 06/06 to 10/06 - 4 nights
From 25/07 to 31/07 - 6 nights
From 18/08 to 22/08 -4 nights
From 07/09 to 11/09 - 4 nights
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 2 MAX 8