Spanish Horse Riding Experience – Beaches & Mountains of Cantabria
Discover the delights of Northern Spain on horseback at this Spice Escapes exclusive destination
Join us on our second horse trekking holiday in Northern Spain, close to Santander.
We first ran a trip of this type in 2023 which was well received but required a few tweaks. Since then we have been looking for a new riding partner and we believe we have found a great match that offers great professionalism and variety of rides and when combined with the uniqueness that is Agara this promises to be a wonderful experience.
What a fabulous riding experience we have planned with a long established but recently relocated stables, which now resides in Cantabria, Northern Spain, a ten minute drive from our accommodation at Agara.
We’ll be riding a variety of Spanish bred horses wearing Spanish saddles during this break starting with a half day ride followed by 2 full days that both include rides on local beaches and a visit to a winery with lunch. Enjoy some stunning coastal and mountain views we’ll be riding on a variety of terrain; what better way to get a feel for this fabulous area of Northern Spain than from the saddle. On our free day, you may wish to sightsee or if you are loving the riding, there may be the option for a further ride into the mountains at additional cost.
Please note - the Manchester flights are for a 6 day holiday and Stansted for a 5 day holiday and we plan to have the whole group riding together.
Your holiday includes
- International flights if selected
- Transfers
- 5 nights’ accommodation (Manchester)
- 4 nights' accommodation (Stansted)
- Continental breakfasts, light lunches*, evening meals.
- Local wine, beer and spirits in the hotel just help yourself
- Tea/coffee available in the house throughout the day
- 3 rides, minimum 3 hours in the saddle
- Visit to a local winery with lunch
*Note-Lunch provided if at the property and a picnic lunch on the day rides, unless the guests wish to try local cuisine which will be at their own cost. .
Your holiday extras
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Room supplement if taken
- Extra Horse Riding
- Lunches if you wish to sample the local restaurants
- Personal extras
This is a wonderful opportunity to explore Northern Spain on horseback taking in mountain and sea views in this less visited area.
The costs are based on rooms that are all single occupancy.
Location & Itinerary
What to expect
During our trip, we will be riding on beautiful Spanish bred horses amongst stunning Mountains and Beaches.
On our first ride we will be introduced to the stables and our horses, where will go for an afternoon ride directly from the yard which is a short drive away from our homely accommodation at Agara. If arriving from Stansted this is the day you arrive, if on the Manchester flight this is your first full day in Spain. After being matched up with our horses we will ride up into the Mountains. We’ll be getting used to the saddles, our horse’s gait and of course to familiarise ourselves with the different style of riding which may be new to you if you haven’t ridden Spanish/Western style previously. The Spanish ‘Silla Vaquera’ style saddles have a deep, supportive seat with a high pommel and cantle and long stirrups for security – these are the saddles from which the more familiar Western Saddles derive from. We will be riding along quiet lanes and rough tracks, through streams and up through beautiful woodlands, passing local working farms and taking in the rugged terrain of the Mountainous area close to the stables.
One of our beach days will start with a scenic road trip to Santander around 40 minutes away before we board the boat to cross the beautiful bay of Santander which takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Upon reaching the to reach the village of Somo where the horses await. We will mount up and traverse the beautiful beach of Playa Del Somo and subject to timings & tides we will visit the stunning Loredo beach which is internationally known for surfing. We will be taking time out for lunch during the course of the day.
Our other ‘beach day’ takes in the beaches on the gorgeous coastline close to San Vicente which are truly stunning. What could be better than cantering along the beach and in the lapping waves on a beautiful horse? We are sure there will be lots of photo opportunities! Having had our fill of the sea air, we ride slightly inland to a local vineyard where we will take our lunch & sample some of the wines on offer, after which with full stomachs, we will ride back to our start point for the horses to be prepared and boxed, to make their return journey.
On our spare full day, we can take a trip out to look at some of the highlights of the local area or for those with the enthusiasm and energy, we may be able to do a further ride at additional cost subject to numbers and availability.
Riding Ability: You need to be able to walk, trot and canter in open countryside and to expect the horses to be a little keener when on the beach. For the 2 beach rides, expect to be in the saddle for around 4 to 5 hours – this will be decided at the time based on the ability and the fitness levels of the riders that join us.
If you have questions on your riding experience and the trip, please call Lauren at Spice Social Manchester on 0161 327 3141
The Spanish saddle and riding style:
- The Spanish ‘Silla Vaquera’ style saddles have a deep, supportive seat with a high pommel and cantle and long stirrups for security – these are the saddles from which the more familiar Western Saddles derive from. You have a much more secure seat on these saddles than an English saddle
- The trotting is done mainly sitting as the saddles are designed for this and give you a very secure seat in all gaits. You do not tend to rise/post in trot in Spanish saddles and the horses are all used to doing collected canters when needed. You ride mainly using one hand however the horses are trained to turn using both one handed neck reining and in the English style.
Travel & Stay
‘Agara’ (translated as Home in Sanskrit), our accommodation for this break is a large house that was formerly used as a restaurant but has recently been renovated and turned in to a small, welcoming, family run hotel. Despite the physical improvements to bring the house up to modern standards the owners have retained the character and ambience of the house. This is a chance for a relaxing break in a home away from home where you can immerse yourself in the local area and culture – you won’t find a choice of bars and nightclubs on your doorstep so if you want a party you’ll have to do it in the house!
There are twelve bedrooms and eight bathrooms; four rooms have bathrooms ensuite and the rest share the remaining four. Please note: There is a supplement for an ensuite room.
Please note that there is a small resident dog on site.
Provisional Flight Information
15/10/2026 London Stansted to Santander Dep: 0745 Arr: 1045
19/10/2026 Santander to London Stansted Dep: 1550 Arr: 1640
14/10/2026 Manchester to Santander Dep: 1710 Arr: 2015
19/10/2026 Santander to Manchester Dep: 1100 Arr: 1200
Luggage allowance - small carry on bag & 20kg check in luggage
Availability & Pricing
Build Your Quote| Accommodation | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Twin Room Share with Shared Facilities | £0.00 | Available |
| Double Room Ensuite (must be for 2) | £89.00 | Available |
| Twin Room Share Ensuite Facilities | £89.00 | Available |
| Single Room Shared Facilities | £99.00 | Available |
| Single Room En-Suite | £188.00 | Available |
| Flights | Price | |
| Own flight without transfers | £1379.00 | Available |
| London Stansted (15-19 October) | £1509.00 | Available |
| Manchester (14-19 October) | £1699.00 | Available |
Not enough spaces left for you? Click here to join the waitlist
Passport validity
For UK passport holders your passport must be:
- Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be deployed gradually across the external borders of the 29 European countries over a period of 6 months. These European countries will introduce the different elements of the EES in phases, including the collection of biometric data, such as facial image and fingerprints. This means that travellers’ biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) might not be collected at every border crossing point right away, and their personal information may not be registered in the system. Passports will continue to be stamped as usual.
This progressive implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system.
Further information on the EES can be found on the following link - https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)
Starting in end 2026 UK citizens are required to have a travel authorisation to enter 30 European countries for a short stay. ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.
NB - There is no start date for the ETIAS currently confirmed but when it is introduced it will be your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged this. We will update everyone when the ETIAS is required with information on how to apply for this online.
Travel Insurance
Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel.
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).
UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU.
Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC.
NB – A GHIC/EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance!
The latest FCO travel guidance for Spain
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
Host & Everything Else
For the Riding: Jodphurs, riding boots and an approved riding hat (though the stables can provide hats for you if necessary). You might also want to wear thin gloves and ladies we would recommend you bring your sports bra!
General: Swimwear if you decide to go to the Spa or to the beach in spare time and other general holiday items that you would normally take.
Lauren Fawkes
Included in your trip is a continental breakfast, light lunches (available if we are at the property or a picnic lunch if on a a walk or cycle ride) and evening meal everyday. Also, there will be complimentary tea/coffee available for you to help yourself to.
Locally sourced spring water will be available in the house so you won’t need to worry about getting bottled water unless you really want to. Finally local wine, beer and spirits will be available every day.
Sample Menu (based on a 7 night stay - shorter trips will feature part of the menu)
Breakfast
Alternates between boiled eggs one day and fried eggs and bacon the next supported by yoghurt, muesli, cornflakes, toast, marmalade/marmite/peanut butter, fresh orange juice and endless tea and coffee.
Dinner
Day 1 – Tapas and Cava/Prosecco round the fire followed by roasted salmon with buttery new potatoes.
Day 2 – Homemade courgette soup spiced with Ethiopian Berbere followed by Duck confit with duck fat roasted potatoes and wilted greens.
Day 3 – Fresh asparagus followed by curry choices. Chicken masala, curried chestnuts and spinach curry. All with rice and homemade lime pickle, mango chutney, green tomato chutney and yoghurt accompaniment.
Day 4 – Tomato and mozzarella salad followed by seared tuna and new potatoes with a choice of salads.
Day 5 – Avocado and smoked salmon followed by Cantabrian Mountain stew (Pork and butter beans in a rich gravy)
Day 6 – Melon and Serrano ham followed by Tudanca beef joint (Tudanca being a local breed of cow).
Day 7 – Grilled Sardines followed by slow cooked Pork belly with roasted potatoes and baby leaf spinach.
We work hard to cater for all types of allergies and preferences. Oat milk is always available and gluten free is also possible if we know in advance. If most of the group prefer less fish then we will adjust the menu (and we can do the reverse too!). Roast Salmon or Tuna might be substituted for slow roasted leg of mutton with herbs and garlic, as an example. We also work hard to cater for vegetarians and vegans and to date all the guests have offered really positive feedback on the food we provide. Its hearty and nutritious with an informal presentation – that’s Agara!
NB - If you flights are evening arrivals the meal on arrival will be a light snack.
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