Family holidays? They don’t have to be burdensome and with The Riding Company, family riding holidays are easy and enjoyable for everyone: parents, children, and the whole family. For the Christmas holidays, or the Spring / Half Term Holiday this season, be sure to check out these riding adventures in Europe. Look no further!
Avance Activity Hotel in Austria’s Burgenland Wine Region:
If your little ones have endless bags of energy, a stay at Avance in Austria may be just the key.
A paradise for active families, the hotel offers a riding course on Lipzzaners, golf and tennis academies for kids as well as an all-day kids club. And for the adults, there’s a separate pool, spa and sports programme. The Kasimir’s Kids Club is divided up into three different age groups; three to eight, eight to 12 and nine to 21 years old, each with their own programme of exciting activities to do. Kasimir’s Water World has areas for different ages, a climbing wall, fun slide and there are courses available in golf and riding.
While the kids are catered for, parents can sneak off to sample the famous wines of the Burgenland region at some of the local vineyards or at the resort’s own wine cellar. While on site there are many sporting activities available; riding, golf, Nordic walking, archery, tennis or mountain biking.
The new beauty pavilion offers massages for men and women, and there are even some relaxing massages designed for children and make up tips for teenagers as well. For real pony princesses (and their families), why not combine a riding holiday here with a visit to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna?
A Western Riding Ranch in The Alps for Kids, Austria:
Little cowboys ride Western style up into the spectacular mountain wilderness on Criollos.
Families stay in mountain huts and ride Quarter and Paint horses especially imported from South America. The qualified Kroller Kids Team offer both indoor and outdoor childcare from 9am to 9pm for children above two years old.
In the indoor Pony Hoo, children can take part in magic shows, panning for gold, wall climbing, table tennis, face painting, baking, crafts table and story telling to name but a few. And outside there is riding, minigolf, a go cart track, slides and sandpits, a farm and bouncy castles. Teenagers can get involved with the adrenalin and adventure programme including rafting, sailing, paragliding, climbing or canyoning.
While the children are entertained at The Pony Hoo, parents can relax at the Indian Spirits spa, ride, play tennis or take a trip down to the Western Saloon bar and listen to the live music. On a Sunday, everyone gathers together in the Saloon to be entertained by cowboy tails. Two-step Western line dancing is held on a Wednesday, so make sure you take your cowboy boots.
Saddle and Surf in Andalucia, Southern Spain:
With the hotel located by the beach, there are endless water sports and activities for the whole family in Andalucia.
The hotel has its own kite surfing, windsurfing and surf school. All the equipment you will need is available as part of your course. Each afternoon you will see hundreds of participants enjoying the wind and the waves and their colourful kites bobbing in the sky. It’s an amazing sight and few can resist having a go.
There are special beginner riding courses for both children and adults. Learn to take care of your own horse for the week and learn the principles of natural riding with an hour of ground work in the sandschool and a ride on the beach each day. For experienced riders, there are some terrific full day rides, such as the Paloma Baja beach ride, through pine woods to a deserted coastal region, which is part of a nature reserve. Most days end with a magical sunset beach ride – either a gentle stroll through the surf or an exhilarating gallop.
But the real highlight of the week for many is the day trip out to see the Foundation of the Equestrian Arts in Jerez. Here you will see the weekly Andalucian Horse Show; an equestrian ballet accompanied by Spanish music with riders in 18th Century style costumes. There are some classical dressage performances and movements used in the country when handling cattle herds.
For more information on any of the trips visit www.theridingcompany.com.