Trip Reviews

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These are the 10 most recent trip reviews submitted. Go to the individual ride pages to see all the reviews received in the last 12 months.

South Africa - Ants Lodges

Received on - 2/02/2012

The Riding :: Using a scale of 5 = excellent/very much so, to 1 = poor/not at all

Really enjoyed all the riding. Groups were split according to ability and horses were allocated accordingly . The guides were fantastic and tailored the rides to the group very well.

Accommodation :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

The accomodation was lovely. All the staff were very friendly and the lodges kept to a very high standard. The food was fantastic and they catered very well for vegetarians.

Pre Holiday :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Satisfied with the pre-holiday information sent. Everyone (especially Abi) very helpful in answering all questions prior/ following booking.

Nil

Fantastic holiday. Thank you.

Yes.

Romania - Winter Ride

Received on - 2/02/2012

The Riding :: Using a scale of 5 = excellent/very much so, to 1 = poor/not at all

The horses and riding exceeded all my expectations. They coped magnificently with the snow. I rode 5 horses in total, the ones initially allocated to me were wonderful and really forward, of the other 3 there was only one that was slightly less forward in walk than I would have liked, but she was lovely and safe and you could relax totally on her and at all other paces she was fine. I think the horses there are probably the best set of horses that I have ridden on a foreign riding holiday. I also liked the facet that we rode in a pre-determined order, which meant that there wasn't the usual pushing and shoving of people to get to the front everytime you started off.

Accommodation :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

The rooms were fairly basic but very comfortable and when I did have an issue with the rooms they were very helpful and moved me to a different room. The food was sort of what i was expecting quite basic but it all tasted very nice though a little lacking in vegatables.

Pre Holiday :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Just check and make sure you have the right mobile number before texting pick-up information. Although we didn't really need money apart from buying souvenirs on the day out, it might be best to advise people to change a bit of money before going/leaving the airport as the guide didn't know that you said they would be able to change money for us, though she did agree to if it wasn't too much. (In The Saddle Note: Sorry to have called you on an old number, but glad that we reached you regarding the details of your collection. We have now updated your details.)

This holiday exceeded all my expectations, it is amazing how well and fast the horses still go in the snow. The horses were lovely and really forward and definately enjoyed going out in the snow. The doubts i had about being cold were not realised. Layering is definately the key and most days i was plenty warm enough, coming back for lunch by their beautiful log fire gave you the extra warmth to go back out in the afternoon. Really didn't want to come home!

Yes.

Jordan - Footsteps of Lawrence

Received on - 1/02/2012

The Riding :: Using a scale of 5 = excellent/very much so, to 1 = poor/not at all

Terrain is perfect for riding - smooth sand and hardly any rocks. The horses were perhaps fresher than normal (particularly on the first day when mine was strong at a canter but she then settled down for the rest of the week) as there hadn't been a ride for the past three weeks and the weather was cool. I would normally prefer a slightly less forward going horse, particularly in the last 20 minutes of each day when the horses clearly knew the way and the lead horse had a very quick walk so we had to jog to keep up, but it's personal preference and generally the horses didn't put a foot wrong. It was nice to have English style comfortable synthetic saddles - we ended up less sore than on other holidays where we have had cavalry style saddles.

Accommodation :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Hotels were fine. A non-smoking room at the Silk Road in Petra would have been good (if there are any?) because the room smelt quite strong - the Jordanians do like to smoke. In the desert, we spent 2 nights in tents and 4 nights at the fixed camp and it was good to have the flexibility at this time of year when it's cold and the weather is changeable. I had never camped before and it was a great introduction - easy when there is someone to put your tent up and the truck to carry luggage. Always felt clean enough as a "shower" (warm water bucket) was provided every evening. Food in the desert was fresh and healthy - Hamad did a great job.

Pre Holiday :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Information was good. We really enjoyed the add on trip to Jerash organised by ITS/Jordan Tracks and would highly recommend it if people have time for an extra night - perhaps the info could mention that Jordan Tracks are able to organise additional travel in Jordan outside the normal itinery? Once on the trip, at this time of year it might be good to ask clients to try to keep in contact with Jordan Tracks/the driver for updates if the weather changes when in Petra. It was raining by the afternoon and we didn't know that could mean snow up in the hills. By the time we left for Wadi Rum there was a white out blizzard on the road out of Petra, the Jeep skidded off the road twice and the Desert Highway was a terrifying experience with lines of trucks sliding around trying to make it up the hills on the snow and ice. We would have left earlier if we'd known the conditions.

None. It was very helpful that Cathy called to let me know about the bargain Royal Jordanian flight sale!

Jordan is a wonderful country and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip which was the perfect combination of riding and sight seeing. It was so convenient to have everything such as the drivers, transfers etc organised by a single tour operator. There is a great culture and people are genuinely friendly - absolutely no hassling (not at all like North Africa). Aside from being the only people on the ride, the sites were very empty (we almost had Petra to ourselves) and we heard that tourism is down 70% due to unrest in Syria and Egypt. Jordan is stable though so we would heartily recommend that anyone considering some spring sunshine books up now!

Yes.

Botswana - Macatoo

Received on - 30/01/2012

The Riding :: Using a scale of 5 = excellent/very much so, to 1 = poor/not at all

outstanding: excellent horses, personalized riding couldn't be better

Accommodation :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Pre Holiday :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Yes.

South Africa - Ants Lodges

Received on - 30/01/2012

The Riding :: Using a scale of 5 = excellent/very much so, to 1 = poor/not at all

Accommodation :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Pre Holiday :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Yes.

Argentina - Across the Andes

Received on - 30/01/2012

The Riding :: Using a scale of 5 = excellent/very much so, to 1 = poor/not at all

Amazing Gauchos who where so helpful, hard working and fun.

Accommodation :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Felt utterly spoilt

Pre Holiday :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Had everything i could need. Three of us read 'long sleeve shirts' as need warmth, we actually needed light weight ones to keep the sun off arms as so hot, fortunately Jane lent us some.

Can't think of a thing.

I fell in love wth the country, the horses and people, now having to fake my delight at being home!!!

Yes.

South Africa - The Wild Coast

Received on - 30/01/2012

The Riding :: Using a scale of 5 = excellent/very much so, to 1 = poor/not at all

Julie-Anne's choice of horses was brilliant. My confidence had taken a battering when I broke my wrist very badly on a riding holiday this time last year, and I had told Julie-Anne that my priority was to feel safe. I assumed I would be given horses which were sensible and reliable but rather staid, so was delighted when this was not the case - the horses I rode were well behaved, but also fast and fun. I could not have been happier with them. The riding was brilliant. The Wild Coast lives up to its name; it was the most glorious stretch of coastline I have every ridden along. I don't think any other beach ride could come close to this - certainly none of the ones I have done, however much I enjoyed them at the time, could compare with this. The canters and gallops on the beach were wonderful. Riding in the Endalweni game reserve was also great - especially on the last day when the giraffe decided to come right up to us and say hello (though the horses were not exactly thrilled about it!).

Accommodation :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

The rooms were absolutely fine. The Cock Inn was particularly great (I stayed an extra night, and was very glad I did - not only because of the great room, but also because I had a second evening of being spoiled rotten by Tammy!). Trennery's was a little run down, but perfectly acceptable. The food was generally very good, especially at the Endalweni Game Reserve and at the Cock Inn. Filter coffee would have been a welcome addition at Endalweni - instant coffee just doesn't do it for me first thing in the morning! Eating brunch out on the game reserve on the last day was especially nice.

Pre Holiday :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

I don't think it could be improved

This was absolutely fine.

This was one of the best riding holidays I have ever had - actually, probably the best one. The combination of game reserve and beach ride was brilliant. it was great having two horses - nice to have the variety, but also good that we were able to ride each of them for long enough to really get to know them. I stayed an extra night and thought that might be an anti-climax, but it wasn't at all; I joined with the new clients on the game reserve on the last morning, but the previous afternoon I was able to choose what I wanted to do and had a wonderful last beach ride just with two of Julie-Anne's guides. Julie-Anne and her guides were warm, welcoming, knowledgable, and thoroughly accommodating.

Yes.

South Africa - The Wild Coast

Received on - 30/01/2012

The Riding :: Using a scale of 5 = excellent/very much so, to 1 = poor/not at all

The riding was good and varied and the horses were very safe.

Accommodation :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

The accommodation was very varied in quality as was the food. The Lodge where we started our holiday was excellent and the food very good. However the stay at Trennerys and Wave Crest left a lot to be desired. Bathrooms at both were very old and the hut at Trennerys had a terrible musty smell. With hindsight we should have complained. The room at Wave Crest was better but the bathrooms left a lot to be desired. It seemed that as we were given the family rooms and they had not been updated as we saw that the smaller rooms were much nicer. The Cock Inn was better but again our family room was no where near as nice as the smaller rooms. The food at Cock Inn was fabulous. (IN THE SADDLE NOTE: We are pleased that you liked your time at Endalweni, but sorry to hear that you did not enjoy Trennery's and Wave Crest on the coast.)

Pre Holiday :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Please let holiday makers know that the water at Trennery and Wave Crest should definitely not be drunk from the taps. I had a upset tummy from the water just brushing my teeth. Also highlight the fact that the sun is extremely strong and lots of longsleeved shirts and scarves to cover the neck are needed. Also do not underestimate your SPF. We had already had two weeks in Florida in November and thought Factor 20 and 30 would be fine but really needed some higher than that! Even tough arms where getting burnt. (IN THE SADDLE NOTE: Thank you for your comments regarding sunscreen, long-sleeved shirts and bandanas. We will double check our information to ensure that these items are listed clearly. Sorry to hear that you had an upset stomach. We have checked with the guide who says there are notices at the hotels saying do not drink the tap water. We will make mention of this on our information sheet also).

Generally good booking and payment system.

Generally a good holiday only marred by the variable food and accommodation. Having said that I think the South Africans like the type of food offered.

Yes.

Uruguay - Coastal Estancias

Received on - 23/01/2012

The Riding :: Using a scale of 5 = excellent/very much so, to 1 = poor/not at all

The combination of horses with short strides, uncomfortable tack which made me feel unbalanced, and sitting to a lot of jogging made a less than ideal riding experience for me for the first 3 riding days. I got on better with the horse I had for the last 3 riding days, although she was quite small. There were some nice canters, especially on the beaches, but overall I would not describe this as a particularly fast ride. The bridles were very rusty and several of the horses had sunburned muzzles. The back-up gaucho for the horses at Fortin San Miguel did not turn up for work on New Year's Day. We did ride through an interesting variety of landscapes and, as we moved on through Rocha, gained a feel for the geography, history and culture; there are certainly some lovely beaches for riding. (In The Saddle Note: We are sorry that the riding experience wasn't wonderful throughout. It is true that some of the horses and indeed some of the South American saddles will be more comfortable than others. On this ride, there is a bilingual guide and always one local gaucho, but not always a second gaucho.)

Accommodation :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

For me, the best meal was the New Years Eve buffet. We also had a very good picnic on our way to La Coronilla. It is the custom to eat late in the evening - not before 9pm. Drinks are quite expensive e.g. £5 for a gin and tonic, £2 for a tonic, £2.50 for a Coca Cola, approx. £20 for a bottle of wine.

Pre Holiday :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Up to date guidance on tipping and drinks prices may be useful for other clients. (ITS NOTE: Thank you for this suggestion, we are working on updating our information to make tipping guidelines as clear as possible. They are a little complicated on this ride because you stay at different estantias along the way so there is the option to tip as you go or leave it as one tip at the end for our local partner to distribute.)

Lares had not informed our guide Letitcia that our return flight time had come forward, so she had to re-arrange the last day at short notice. Our driver, Javier, did a very good job. It seems to be the practice to tip the gaucho and staff at El Charabon before moving on, and the La Coronilla gaucho directly. The restaurants in Montevideo, and hotels en route, do take US dollars; the rate of exchange for changing money into Uruguayan pesos was better at the Cambios near the Balmoral hotel in Montevideo than at the airport. We had an excellent City tour in Montevideo on the first afternoon. (In The Saddle Note: Unfortunately there was an administration error due to a change in a computer system in Uruguay and the guide did not have the most up to date information about a change in the Iberia flight schedule. We are sorry for the stress this caused.)

Yes.

Argentina - Estancia Los Potreros

Received on - 20/01/2012

The Riding :: Using a scale of 5 = excellent/very much so, to 1 = poor/not at all

The riding was thoughtfully organised according to the clientele at the time, bearing in mind that clients can arrive/depart on any day. High standards and lovely horses. Riding the Pasos was a (very comfortable) treat.

Accommodation :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Excellent hospitality generally. I particularly loved the pork BBQ. Being able to get laundry done daily was a bonus.

Pre Holiday :: Use a scale of 5 = excellent, to 1 = poor

Yes.

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