Europe through the Barn Door

Horse tours with Far and Ride give adventure travelers an intimate look at local culture, history, food, traditions, and scenery.

Some people are content to be tourists who watch passively as the scenery unfolds. Others yearn for a sense of adventure on their next vacation, but zip lining and swimming with dolphins is so yesterday. Fortunately, another option awaits. For travelers who are looking for the mental challenge of the Amazing Race, the physical challenge and adrenaline rush of riding a horse, and the pleasure of experiencing local people and cultures up close, a horse riding holiday might be right for you.

Far and Ride, horse riding holiday experts based in the United Kingdom, puts you in the driver’s seat – or, in this case, the saddle. Your ride might take you through the rugged mountains of central Bulgaria, the ancient Cathar castles in southern France, or medieval villages in the shadow of Mt. Etna. I’ve taken four unforgettable horse tours organized by Far and Ride, and I’m eagerly planning my next one: the otherworldly rock formations in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Just Plain Thrilling

Here are four of the many benefits of immersing yourself in a foreign locale from the vantage point of a saddle:

Micro view of the world. Horses cover about ten miles per day, which gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in one area as opposed to skimming the surface. In southern France, for example, we rode through fields and vineyards to reach the guest house of our hosts who proudly showed us the marionettes they made during the off season before we gathered with other guests for a traditional French aperitif and communal meal.

Food, glorious food.At another guest lodge in France, we were treated to cheese made from the owners’ cows’ milk, wine made by the neighbors down the road, and a peach tart made from the fruit in their orchard. Home-cooked food can be more authentic and soul-satisfying than many five-star restaurants.

Bridge the cultural divide. At the end of each day, riders stay in lodges or guest houses and enjoy communal dining and lively conversations in a variety of languages. One evening in Malvagna, Sicily, our British guide’s knowledge of Italian, my high school French, and a minimal understanding of English by our host, Rosangela, gave way to a boisterous, multilingual conversation over Sicilian home cooking and several bottles of Nero d’Avola.

Calling all thrill seekers. There’s nothing that gets your blood pumping faster than galloping through a vineyard or a golden birch forest. Tasko, our guide in Bulgaria, led us up to the top of a mountain and through swirling mists along a knife-edge ridge. “Stay right behind me, walk exactly where my horse walks, and don’t stop,” he explained as I peered down the abyss to my left. An hour later we were sipping scotch near a crackling fire in the mountain refuge that was our lodging for the night.

Happy Trails Start Here

The horses are saddled and the trail beckons. Imagine riding your horse through the portcullis of a ruined Cathar castle high on a mountaintop in southern France or in the shadow of Mr. Etna in Sicily. Explore the rides at Farandride.com and find one that suits your style.