Holiday itinerary
Spend 3 nights / 4 days in the Andalucía triangle between Cordoba, Malaga and Granada surrounded by olive groves, verdant mountains, hills and views of the stunning Lake Iznajar.
Just over an hour’s drive from these 3 key Spanish cities and just 30km from the pueblo blanco of Antequera, you’ll stay in a charming and tastefully restored 150 year old Finca set in grounds with olive and fruit trees, vegetable and herb garden and a beautiful swimming pool.
This horse riding course is ideal for intermediate or advanced riders who want to improve their existing skills whilst on holiday as it combines horse riding lessons for your skills level with time spent trekking in the stunning surroundings of this beautiful region of Spain.
You’ll also take a Spanish cooking class at the Finca taught by Chef Clive who has been a professional Chef specialising in the Mediterranean cuisine for over 20 years. You’ll learn to cook delicious Spanish specialities discovering traditional food from the region.
This unique horse riding and Spanish cooking break promises a learning holiday with a difference.
Suitability
- Cooking lessons are suitable for all levels of cooking experience, but not suitable for those who do not eat dairy and/or seafood
- Horse riding is suitable for intermediates (those who ride regularly and are competent in walk, trot and canter) and advanced (those who are competent in all gaits, such as, walk, trot, canter, gallop and jumping)
- If you are a beginner or novice horse rider, please click on the following link for a more suitable course - Beginners Horse Riding And Cooking Class
- Your hosts at the Finca are British/Japanese so all cooking classes are taught in English (or Japanese if required), at the horse stables lessons are held in English, French and Spanish
- Please note that if you are travelling solo, you must book a twin/double room with en-suite bathroom for sole occupancy by adding a compulsory single supplement onto your booking during the booking process
Horse Riding & Spanish Cooking Class Start Days
- You can arrive any day of the week you choose
- You will stay in the Finca for 3 nights / 4 days (so if you arrive on Monday afternoon for example, you leave Thursday morning)
Horse Riding & Spanish Cooking Class Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival at the Finca
- You may check-in to the Finca anytime after 3pm on the day you choose to arrive
- An arrival dinner of Andalucían cuisine and wine will be served by your hosts in the evening
Day 2 – Horse Riding Lessons & Spanish Cooking Class
- Enjoy a leisurely breakfast whilst you prepare for your first day of horse riding
- In the morning you will make your own way to the stables (15 minutes away) where you will have 2 horse riding lessons lasting 1 hour each; you will learn one discipline per lesson according to your past experience (if any)
- You will have the afternoon free and may want to spend your time by the pool or why not take a stroll around the charming whitewashed lakeside village of Iznájar, perched on the rocky outcrop, where you will enjoy a spectacular view of the Lake of Andalucía
- Later in the day, you’ll have the option to take your Spanish cooking course where you’ll learn to make a 3 course Spanish menu (if you prefer you can take this cooking lesson on day 3)
- Once you’ve cooked, you’ll sit down to enjoy a dinner of the delicious and authentic Spanish dishes you have learned to cook that day accompanied by a glass or two of wine
Day 3 – Horse Riding Trek
- After your breakfast you will go to the stables to begin your second day horse riding
- Today you will spend 3 hours trekking through the hills of Andalucia and taking in the stunning views with your horse, instructor and fellow riders
- After you trek you will have the afternoon free to explore the region further or simply rest your legs by the Finca’s hillside pool
- If you took your cooking lessons on day 2 and don’t choose to take your Spanish cooking lesson today, you have the evening free to sample some of the local cuisine in one of the town’s restaurants
Day 4 – Departure Day
- After breakfast guests are asked to check-out of their rooms ready for departure taking home with them two new skills and an insight into Andalucían life that will stay with them long after the holiday is over
What Will I Learn?
Horse Riding Lessons
- As a intermediate to advanced rider you will have the chance to develop your existing skills in techniques such as dressage, Le Trec, cross country and jumping
- In the lessons you will use yoga techniques to develop balance and suppleness that will help to create a harmony between yourself and the horse
- All lessons are given by a British qualified BHSAI instructor
Spanish Cooking Lesson
- The history of Andalucían cuisine
- How to select fresh, seasonal ingredients
- How to cook a full 3 course Andalucían menu
Sample Spanish Menu
- Gazpacho con cilantro (Gazpacho with wild coriander)
- Remojón con vinagre de sésamo (Salt cod and orange salad with sesame dressing)
- Codornices con higos (Quails with spiced figs),
- Lubina al sal con salsa de pimientos rojos y aceite de oliva (Salt roast seabass with charred sweet red pepper and olive oil salsa)
- Tarta de limón con miel de lavanda (Lemon tart with lavender scented honey)
- Merengue escalfado con natilla de almendras (Poached meringue with almond custard cream)
About The Equestrian Centre
- The equestrian centre is around 15 minutes drive from the Finca, please note that transport between the two is NOT included and you will have to make your own way, we recommend car hire
- Set in the hills near Lake Iznajar surrounded by olive groves, this is a stunning location in which to learn to horse ride
- This professional, family run equestrian centre gives a warm welcome to riders of all abilities
- There are modern, purpose built stables housing up to 12 horses
- There is a 20x40m outdoor schooling arena with floodlighting and a sand surface
- The centre has ample parking, changing rooms and boasts a cafe and bar with terrace overlooking the arena
About The Horses
- The centre has a total of 18 horses and 2 ponies varying in age from one month to 20 years
- The horses range in height from the smallest pony at 10hh to horses up to 16.2hh
- The horses are mainly Andalusians and Andalusian crosses with 1 Thoroughbred/Andalusian cross, 1 Irish Draught/TB cross, Dutch Warmblood, Gallician and Shetland ponies
- The horses are well trained, schooled and suitable for all levels of riders from beginners to advanced
Accommodation at the Spanish Finca
- Your 150 year old Finca has just 4 rooms: 3 standard twin/double rooms and 1 suite (to book the suite, please add this extra on during the booking process) and is situated in Iznájar, a small hilltop Moorish village overlooking a romantic lake lies in Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbéticas in the southern part of the province of Córdoba
- Tastefully restored to retain the rustic charm, your standard room has twin beds or a double bed, private bathroom and a delightful view
- All prices are based on two persons sharing the twin/double standard rooms with private bathrooms; singles will have to book these rooms for sole occupancy and a compulsory supplement must be added during the booking process as sharing as a solo traveller is not possible on this holiday
- The Finca features a swimming pool, reading room, DVD library and more
- Wi-fi is available although the reception is not very good due to the rural location
- Your hosts have two dogs and a cat, but they are never allowed in the Finca
Want To Stay Longer?
- There are also various other courses available in longer durations that include extra cooking and horse riding lessons; to view more details please click on the following link -
- Or it is possible to add extra nights accommodation to this Spanish cooking and horse riding weekend, please see the costing and extras tab for prices
Go learn to cook authentic Spanish cuisine and learn to ride beautiful Andalucian horses at this idyllic retreat in the heart of Andalucía, Spain and immerse yourself in the local culture on this unique weekend learning holiday with a difference.