AL-ÁNDALUS

BEGINNING OF THE PROGRAM

17:00 Welcome Meeting Cocktail, at Puerto de Santa María. During which the tour guide will be introduced, and the program for the following days will be explained. Afterwards, a welcome dinner will be enjoyed, featuring traditional dishes from the region.

Puerto de Santa María is a vibrant recreational hub in the bay, with constant activity throughout the year. Its beaches, wine cellars, and wide range of entertainment and dining options make it a top tourist destination. Among its most emblematic buildings is the Castillo de San Marcos (10th–14th centuries), originally an Arab mosque and now a beautiful fortress. Also notable are the Monastery of La Victoria and the Gothic-style Iglesia Mayor Prioral. Highlights of its civil architecture include the Lonja, the Hospital de San Juan de Dios, and the Fuente de las Galeras. During the Middle Ages, the city experienced significant maritime growth, so it's no surprise that its sailors played a notable role in the discovery and conquest of the Americas. In this city, the navigator Juan de la Cosa drew the first world map to include the Americas in 1500.

Items included for the day: Accommodation at Hotel Soho Boutique Vista Hermosa 4** or similar
Welcome Cocktel & Dinner

González Byass Wineries & Horse Fair

After breakfast, a private transfer will take us to the González Byass wineries, better known as 'Bodegas Tío Pepe.' This monumental winery complex, located in the historic center of Jerez, is a hallmark of 19th-century winemaking tradition with its Andalusian courtyards, trellised streets, and spectacular centuries-old cellars where the finest Sherries and Brandies age. We will explore the vineyards and gardens, tour the 180-year-old cellars, and enjoy a tasting of the exquisite flavors and aromas of the best Sherries.

Following our winery visit, we will proceed to El Parque González Hontoria, home to 'La Feria del Caballo,' one of the oldest and most significant horse fairs in Spain and the world. Declared of International Tourist Interest, the fair offers visitors a chance to witness various equestrian events, displays, and Vaquera dressage competitions, as well as enjoy local wines, the magic of flamenco, and the spectacular horse and carriage parades throughout the venue. It promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Accommodation at Hotel Soho Boutique Vista Hermosa 4** or similar

Items included for the day: Breakfast - Private transfer to the González Byass wineries - Winery tour and wine tasting at González Byass - Transfer and visit to the Feria del Caballo: Equestrian events - Vaquera dressage - Carriage display - Visits to the casetas (stands) - Private transfer back to the hotel.

After breakfast, a private transfer will take us to the fairgrounds for another visit to the Feria del Caballo. This time, those interested will have the opportunity to enjoy the parallel equestrian activities at IFECA, including exhibitions, cattle driving contests, Vaquera dressage, carriage exhibition, morphological competitions, and many other options.

Within the fairgrounds, we will also have the chance to witness the 'Paseo de Caballos' (Horse riders' parade), where horses take center stage. The event features a stunning parade of riders, amazonas (female riders), and carriages, showcasing one of the most attractive and authentic spectacles of the Jerez festival, as well as live musical performances in various fairground casetas.

In the evening, we will attend a performance at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, titled 'How Andalusian Horses Dance.'

This is undoubtedly the most elegant show of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, a true equestrian ballet set to distinctly Spanish music, with costumes from the 18th century, and choreography drawn from classical and Vaquera dressage as well as other traditional equestrian work.

Accommodation at Hotel Soho Boutique Vista Hermosa 4** or similar

Items included for the day: Breakfast - Private transfer to the fairgrounds - Visit to the Feria del Caballo - Equestrian events - Carriage displays - Visits to the casetas (stands) - Performance by the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art - Transfer back to the hotel.

Feria del Caballo & Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

After breakfast, we will be transferred to visit Yeguada de la Cartuja. The Yeguada de la Cartuja – Hierro del Bocado, is one of the most prestigious and historic horse breeding farms in the world, located in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. It is home to the purest bloodline of the Andalusian horse, known as the Cartujano, a breed cultivated for over five centuries by Carthusian monks and preserved with exceptional care.

Today, the stud farm is not only a living heritage site but also a center of excellence in equine genetics, housing more than 200 horses that embody elegance, strength, and nobility. It offers visitors an unforgettable opportunity to experience the beauty, history, and tradition of one of Spain’s most iconic horse breeds.

As we arrive to the stud, the air is filled with the fresh scent of the countryside… and the unmistakable presence of history. The stillness of the morning blends with the distant whinnies of horses. Far across the open meadows, we spot the majestic silhouettes of Cartujano mares grazing freely, surrounded by playful foals trotting with curiosity.

Our experience begins with a warm and heartfelt welcome from the staff. From the very first step, we’re drawn into the world of equestrian tradition. We stroll through ancient stone buildings where the legacy of the Carthusian monks still lingers in the air. Our guide — passionate and deeply knowledgeable — shares stories passed down through the centuries: how these horses were raised with care and rigor, how their bloodlines were preserved with devotion, and why they’ve become a true symbol of nobility.

As we venture deeper into the farm, we reach the stallion stables. We pass by the old tack room, filled with traditional harnesses and saddles, and we can’t help but feel a mix of wonder and reverence standing so close to such powerful yet graceful animals. When we step into the museum and see the carriages, the experience becomes almost spiritual — we begin to truly understand the deep bond between Jerez and this extraordinary breed.

Yeguada de la Cartuja

Then comes the unforgettable moment: the performance in the covered arena. The music begins. One by one, the horses enter, performing classical dressage movements with hypnotic precision. The rhythmic sound of their hooves echoes like noble drums. And when we witness the “cobra de Yeguas” — several mares joined by a single rope, moving in perfect harmony — we’re left absolutely breathless. It’s poetry in motion.

Finally, as a young foal approaches and gently nuzzles our hands without fear, we know we’ve experienced something extraordinary. We haven’t just visited a farm — we’ve touched a living piece of Andalusia’s soul.

But the day has just begun. It is time to go to Parque Gonzalez Hontoria to enjoy the last day of Feria. Today the celebration is even bigger, and we see happy people and beautiful horses everywhere.

Accommodation at: Hotel Soho Boutique Vista Hermosa 4** or similar

Items included for the day: Breakfast – Private transfer to Yeguada la Cartuja - Visit to the stud farm - Private transfer to the fairgrounds - Visit to the Feria del Caballo - Equestrian events - Carriage displays - Visits to the casetas (stands) - Transfer back to the hotel.

Puerto de Santa Maria to the starting point of our horseback journey

After breakfast, private transfer from El Puerto de Santa María to the starting point of our horseback journey for the upcoming days. Along the way, we will make a stop to visit the historic city of Ronda, one of the most iconic and picturesque towns in Andalusia. Perched dramatically atop a deep gorge known as El Tajo, Ronda is famous for its breathtaking views, whitewashed houses, and the impressive 'Puente Nuevo' bridge that connects the old and new parts of the city. Rich in history, Ronda is considered the birthplace of modern bullfighting and has inspired writers and artists such as Hemingway and Rilke. Its cobbled streets, ancient Arab baths, and charming plazas offer a perfect blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Upon our arrival, we will enjoy a tasting dinner featuring local cuisine. The rest of the staff, who will be accompanying us throughout the following days of our horseback journey, will also be introduced.

Accommodation at : Boutique hotel or similar

Items included for the day: Breakfast – Private transfer to Ronda & Jd Marquesado – Gastronomic tasting dinner

BEGINNING our horseback journey on a Monday morning in the heart of Spain's cultural land is more than just an adventure — it feels like stepping into another time. Over the course of five unforgettable days on horseback, we move to the noble rhythm of our horses, leaving behind the noise of the modern world to embrace a landscape where tradition lives on and every mile offers a deeper connection to culture, history, and nature.

From the very start, we feel the deep equestrian spirit that runs through these lands: ancient bridle paths, whitewashed cortijos nestled among olive groves, and conversations with local horsemen who proudly speak of their horses’ lineage. In every village we pass, we are welcomed as part of an old custom — travelers on horseback, as it was done centuries ago.

Each day is a feast for the senses. Our meals are true tributes to the local cuisine: aged cheeses, Iberian cured meats, slow-cooked stews rich with flavor, fresh-baked bread, and traditional desserts that taste like family recipes passed down through generations. At midday or in the golden hour before sunset, a glass of wine always awaits us — Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Sherry, Montilla-Moriles and many more — wines that don’t just accompany the food, but speak of the soil beneath our feet.

Our path leads us through shaded trails lined with oak and pine, across golden fields and up through rolling hills where the wind carries only the sound of hooves and birdsong. We cross streams, climb ridges, and pause at scenic overlooks where time seems to stand still and the horizon stretches endlessly.

As night falls, we rest in charming rural lodges, warm and filled with authenticity. We share stories and laughter, soothed by the fulfilling fatigue of a day well lived. The stars above become our final gift before sleep.

By Saturday, when we reach the end of our journey, it doesn’t feel like something is over — it feels like we’ve become part of something timeless. We’ve touched a tradition that honors the land, the horse, and the spirit of those who came before us. We return with tired bodies, full hearts, and memories that will stay with us forever.

AFTER BREAKFAST, END OF THE PROGRAM.