– Relax, Ride and Stretch in Andalusia, Spain –

Table Of Contents

The Home: Photos at Aventuras del Sur
The Food: lunches and dinners
Important things to note
My packing list for a 9 day holiday with 5 days of riding

My Experience of the “Pack Intensivo” (holiday with yoga and 3-4 hours of horse riding per day)

I loved this 7 day yoga and riding package with Aventuras del Sur. I came away from this trip with more confidence in my riding, but also felt reminded of our connection to nature through the meditation classes and yoga. The meals provided were healthy, yet delicious (cake is healthy). I also loved meeting the other riders who came from various countries (Germany, Netherlands, UK) as we all shared stories together over meals and in between rides.

We were each paired up with a horse that we kept for the week. I was given Trueno, a beautiful bay horse. All horses were already tacked up for us before starting the rides, but we did untack at the end of each day.

Getting ready

Riding under tree branches

A cooling shower

There was a posted schedule that showed us which activities would happen at certain times, depending on the day. Our group opted for morning yoga sessions, and there was an additional option to head to the yoga room earlier (07:00am) for a half hour guided meditation.

The family home we stayed in was beautiful. There were lounge chairs in the garden which we could lie on while appreciating the surrounding trees and flowers. My room was in a shared apartment – the entrance also decorated with plants and flowers – but had a private ensuite bathroom.

The Home: Photos at Aventuras del Sur

The garden and the surrounding landscapes of Bétis (where the farm is located) provided a beautiful backdrop for lunch one day, as we came back from a ride to find the table set outside for lunch. I wish I had taken specific notes on what we ate, but I was always too busy stuffing my face with the most delicious homecooked food to write anything.

The Food: lunches and dinners

The riding was a lot of fun. Mostly spent at the walk (especially through the forests and when climbing up and down hills), there were still daily canters and occasional beach gallops, as well as one afternoon spent swimming with the horses.

Important things to note

On the Aventuras Del Sur website, renting a car is recommended so you can go on short excursions when not riding. I had not rented a car, but luckily I was able to get rides to the beach restaurants (10 min drive) with the other ladies who had rented cars. Otherwise, I would have had to take taxis to nearby towns and the beach (the beach is a 1 hour walk away which is doable, but schedules could get tight between riding and meals)

Yoga is an optional activity. You can select a riding-only package, but I personally really enjoyed the yoga classes. Mats and blocks are provided

You can get by with English, but knowing some Spanish would be a great asset. It is not only polite to the host country, but could be helpful if you have to book a taxi on the phone

Helmets are provided by Aventuras Del Sur, saving space in your luggage

Two meals a day are included (half board). You will get breakfast each day, and either lunch or dinner

My packing list for a 9 day holiday with 5 days of riding

Clothes for riding (in October)

2 pairs of riding pants – one pair of breeches and one hiking pant (the hiking pant doubles as a non-riding pant, as well)

1 pair of riding boots & half chaps – scrubbed clean before travelling

2 safari shirts – collared, long-sleeve, button-up shirts with pockets

2 tank tops – to layer under safari shirts. Synthetic material for quick-drying

1 pair of riding gloves – thin material for hot weather, and great for protecting your hands against the sun

2 sports bras

2 pairs riding socks

1 belt (optional) – mostly for outfit style

Clothes for other activities (in October)

2 pairs of lightweight pants – one linen pant for a stylish option on hot days, and one other long, loose pant

2 linen tank top/shirt – for visiting nearby towns and lounging at the beachside restaurants

1 pair pyjamas

2 swimsuits – a one-piece (for swimming with the horses) and a bikini

1 pair comfortable sandals

2 flowy cardigans – to layer over tank tops or swimsuits

2 pairs of socks – to wear with riding boot while walking through cities

1 sunhat

1 pair of outdoor slippers – to wear outside around the farm home

15 pairs of underwear – yes, my trip was only 9 days in total. You can never have too many!

Toiletries & Extra items

Toothbrush & toothpaste tabs – toothpaste tabs are an excellent way to reduce liquids in your carry on

Small bottle of mouthwash

Hairbrush

Antiperspirant – I try to use antiperspirant on horse riding vacations (instead of deodorant) so my clothes last a bit longer before needing to be washed

Sunscreen/Suncream – liquid (for face) and solid (for body)

Lip Balm with SPF – mine is slightly tinted

Kohl eyeliner powder and mascara

Shampoo, conditioner and soap bars – All in solid format. I love these for travelling!

Hand sanitizer – mostly to use on travel days (plane, bus, train, etc)

Nail clippers & nail file – only if you feel the need to keep them shorter like I do

Razor

2 laundry strips – I used them to hand wash my tank tops and safari shirts in the bathroom sink

2 packs of tissues – great for travel days

Ibuprofen, Immodium (loperamide), Pepto Bismol (bismuth), Tums Antacid (calcium carbonate) – managing pains or headaches, and any digestive upsets you might encounter while deviating from your normal diet

Extra-Strength Benadryl for Allergy & Sinus – essential for me to avoid terrible ear pain while flying

Notebook & Pen – for jotting down notes, Spanish words, and recording which items I used or did not use

Spanish Phrasebook – to practice & learn on the plane and in Spain

Snack bar (protein or energy bar) – for early morning bus rides, emergency energy

Electronics

GoPro camera & Helmet strap – great for handsfree video recording while riding

Gopro camera battery charger station

Cellphone

Cellphone charge cable – also doubles as the camera charger cable

Power adapter

Power Bank – for charging on-the-go

USB charger (if the power adapter doesn’t have USB slots built-in)

USB hub – Having a multi-port usb block can allow you to charge multiple things at once

Smartwatch and charger cable for watch

Wired earbuds – for music on the plane and bus rides

Things I packed but did not use (and would not pack again)

Headlamp – a flashlight/torch with a strap that goes around your forehead. In late evenings and early mornings, I used my cellphone light to look around (this only happened twice)

Sweater/jumper – it was never cold enough to warrant a warm layer

Raincoat – it never rained

Inflatable pillow – I booked a window seat for the flight, and slept leaning against the wall

Perfume – horse smell is its own perfume

Concealer & eyebrow pencil – I didn’t bother with them. I stuck to my simple makeup items of tinted face sunscreen and mascara

High heel sandals – why did I even bother …

2 mock neck tank tops – it was too hot to wear them that week, but I was thankful to have two clean shirts to wear during my unexpected layover in Casablanca, Morocco

Travel hand soap leaflets – hand soap is already in most bathrooms

1 Long-sleeved linen shirt – my other two linen shirts and the cardigans were more than enough (with some handwashing involved!)

1 skirt – the two flowy pants I brought were preferable for me

Things I would pack next time

Moisturizer for hands & body

Hair detangler spray or oil

More maple candies from Canada – I wanted to share with more people but I ran out quickly. Bring treats from your home country!

Flowy pants that fit well – one of the pairs I brought were just a bit too big. I still used them but I was wishing I had packed a better-fitting pair

Take me to the Aventuras del Sur website!