Riding holiday
Honestly, traveling abroad alone makes me anxious. Not speaking the language, fighting off the feeling of being jet lagged and wrestling with travel logistics on my lonesome makes me nervous, however I am willing to stretch my comfort zone. Plus no one with a "normal" job is able to take off as much time as I can. As I have some time this September to take a good long trip, I've been tossing around a few potential vacation options that I can go on alone safely and comfortably.
One of the ideas I've thrown into the mix is an equestrian vacation. The vacation would be more organized; the only thing I would have to book is flying into the country of choice, as all of the other logistics would be taken care of. Also, I believe all of the locations have English speakers as guides and instructors. The two factors that I'm weighing for a riding holiday are whether I should use this vacation to improve upon my horsemanship or as an opportunity to see and explore a different country.
The analytical beast in me has laid out a spreadsheet of different options, length of time and cost. The top three contenders in this category are in Italy, Ireland and France. Below I've listed the pros and cons of each.
Pro: I haven't been to Italy yet. The location is an hour north of Rome, which means I could either spend time before or after the "horse" part of the trip exploring Rome! You can't skip out on an opportunity like that. The weather would be warm but not uncomfortably so. The stable I would stay at teaches cross country and/or jumping so I'd be able to work on my technique. As an added bonus, I could pick up some Italian as well.
Con: The most expensive of the options, especially if I tack on an exploration of Rome.
Pro: I would be staying in a CASTLE named the Sunday Times 'Best Country House.' I've never been to Ireland and flights to Dublin are the cheapest out of the bunch. Ireland is also famous for its cross country courses. I've never participated in that type of discipline of riding, so it would be the opportunity to learn something new. Could I come back with a cute Irish accent as well?
Con: The weather is cold and rainy and my last two trips to Europe have been chilly, to say the least. The dining options in Ireland most likely won't be as fabulous as the ones in Italy and France.
Pro: This vacation would be a coastal ride from inn to inn and without a centralized base. Cantering or galloping on a beach has been one of my dreams ever since I can remember. The weather is supposed to still be warm enough to ride into the waves. Oh, and the beach - did I mention that? I foresee a lot of photo snapping with this particular option.
Con: I have already been to France this year, although not along the coast. I feel like my international trips, infrequent as they are, should be in a variety of different countries. Also, this trip does not offer lessons and opportunities to jump would be limited.
One of the ideas I've thrown into the mix is an equestrian vacation. The vacation would be more organized; the only thing I would have to book is flying into the country of choice, as all of the other logistics would be taken care of. Also, I believe all of the locations have English speakers as guides and instructors. The two factors that I'm weighing for a riding holiday are whether I should use this vacation to improve upon my horsemanship or as an opportunity to see and explore a different country.
The analytical beast in me has laid out a spreadsheet of different options, length of time and cost. The top three contenders in this category are in Italy, Ireland and France. Below I've listed the pros and cons of each.
Show jumping and cross country instruction in Italy
Con: The most expensive of the options, especially if I tack on an exploration of Rome.
Cross country instruction in Ireland
Con: The weather is cold and rainy and my last two trips to Europe have been chilly, to say the least. The dining options in Ireland most likely won't be as fabulous as the ones in Italy and France.
Inn to Inn Beach Ride in France
Con: I have already been to France this year, although not along the coast. I feel like my international trips, infrequent as they are, should be in a variety of different countries. Also, this trip does not offer lessons and opportunities to jump would be limited.
Which vacation do you like best?
Pictures via High Pointe Tours, In The Saddle and Equitrekking Travel
france! horseback riding on the beach sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'd go to Italy. I love Rome. France sounds great too. I've never been to Ireland, but I wouldn't want to be on a horse in the rain.
ReplyDeleteI hear you when it comes to travelling alone. makes me uncofmortable too. planning a trip to Malaysia on my own for the weekend. only a day or two. I know I can do it, but it's simply more stressful alone. and I'd like to share the experience.
I voted for Italy!!! (Am I allowed to tell?? lol)
ReplyDeleteI love that you're stepping out of your comfort zone and going for this experience. I agree that you should do something organized and with a group. Did you look into contiki.com? They have some decent trips and they are all planned out. Best part is that you will be going with a group of people.
I can't wait to hear what you decide!
I voted for Ireland only because I've never been and have always wanted to go PLUS it's cheaper so maybe you can use the extra money to tour the west counties or hop up to Belfast AND you don't have to worry about the language if you trek out on your own. And cute Irish accent!!
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, Rome is also a fantastic city, fairly easy to navigate (even without the language), and I devoted entire meals to just eating gelato. And cappuccinos. Note: Roman men are very forward.
I'm not much of a fan of French cities or beaches (which is sad, since I speak the language and love French films). The countryside is nice though.
Swoon, they all sound amazing. I have been to all three places and loved each one. My heart is in Ireland where my Nana was from and my cousins etc. all still live but I've only been warm there once and that was back in the 80s :)
ReplyDeleteRome blows the mind, the history is seeping out around you everywhere so that's pretty nice but riding along the beach would be awesome.
Obviously I am of no help whatsoever, sorry. I don't think you'll be sorry with any of the choices.
Traveling alone would be scary for me. I plan to go to Japan someday, but I got to find someone to fly with me for the trip and back.
ReplyDeleteI'm used to traveling alone. I've found that my financial resources are always better than many of my friends and coworkers, which means that I am in a situation where I simply cannot convince people to come with me, even if more people could defray costs.
ReplyDeleteSo far I have been all over Japan alone since I live here, as well as Korea, Taiwan, and Sydney/Canberra in Australia. I went to Paris, France on a school trip from Austin many, many years back.
I vote for Ireland, but I am biased, as that is where my family is originally from and there are several places unique to my family I want to check out (like a family tomb, and land stolen from my father's family by my mother's family, many centuries ago. I'm actually the product of two branches of two families which once hated each other!).
Can't I vote for all? ;)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same as you when I travel alone. Everything depends on me alone, I can't lean on anyone, I can't count on somebody else to help me out if I'm late for a flight or miss a train. But then again, I get to make all the decisions and do things in my own pace.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I vote for Ireland!
I voted for Ireland because a trip like that has been on my list for years. Plus Ireland is beautiful! Also on my list of where I want to ride is Iceland. One of my friends just did it and her photos are amazing. Have you ever ridden an Icelandic horse? It's fun..
ReplyDeleteI voted for Ireland as well, because, 1) Seriously? A castle?; 2) My friend recently returned from Ireland as part of her Masters program--she even rode the most handsome horse, on a beach. Her photos were AMAZING; and 3) You love to write . . . I've always imagined Ireland to be one of the more inspiring.
ReplyDeleteOf course, they all sound wonderful. So, there's that.
I'm among the few leaning France. Although that castle is pretty freaking nice. For me it would be a toss-up between France and Ireland, and here's why I'd leave out Rome. Fun to learn show jumping, but are you ever going to use it? Ireland: Castle, well swoon. And are you sure it would be chilly? I've always heard that September is the best time of year to be there. But the France thing? That's been your lifelong dream! And traveling from B&B to B&B would give you the chance to experience all sorts of different places in a whole different part of France.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the traveling alone.
Go Italy!!!
ReplyDeleteRonnie xo
I didn't know until the last two posts that you rode! Any of these trips would be amazing and you'd have such a blast. I can't wait to see which one you settle on! Can you believe I've NEVER ridden a horse?
ReplyDeleteHey Rooth:) Picked Italy, but I think you can't really go wrong with any of these options. Even the cons are ok to me:P Sooooo lucky!!!!:)
ReplyDeleteI would go with coastal riding (so france) however I'm HORRIBLE at horseback riding and somewhat scared of it so I may veer away from all these vacays hahha. I can't believe you'll be going on one of these trips though, so awesome if you like riding!
ReplyDeleteSheinside GIVEAWAY
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such sweet comments! It's great to find another fellow blogger, especially one in the same city!
ReplyDeleteI voted Ireland...I've had a lot of friends/family visit Europe and those that have taken trips to Ireland fall in love and say the scenery is just to die for gorgeous.
http://thelittletexan.blogspot.com/
I voted Italy... I've always wanted to go, so that of course influenced my choice.
ReplyDeleteItaly definately! you´re so luccky, I´m jealous =/ LOL!
ReplyDeletekisses dear
Any/all of these options sound like a dream! I voted for Italy... always wanted to go there and the nice weather would be great.
ReplyDeleteOh man, what a tough decision! You can't lose with any of those options but I voted for Ireland. Staying in a castle sounds like a dream and everyone I know who's been to Ireland absolutely adores it, despite the rain. Also, having been to Rome, it can be exhausting and you need more than just a few days to really see and explore everything the city has to offer. We were there for 3 days and didn't see nearly enough to leave me satisfied.
ReplyDeleteI don't do horse riding, but France all the way.
ReplyDeleteHow cool it is that you're able to take a long vacay!!! Totally a great opportunity to go wherever when you can! How exciting!!
Wait, so is this going to tie in with your Taiwan trip?
Even though I am going on two week trip to Italy (north of Rome), I find Ireland the most appealing option of the three. It just seems to be more like the place that I'd associate with horses and riding.
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave to travel alone abroad! I always freak out traveling in just around the U.S. w/ friends! Beautiful pictures, all three places look amazing, but I think Ireland would be so much fun! xo
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! This post is awesome!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my blog, write your opinion and maybe...follow?
Where are you from?
I vote Italy! It will be totally worth the cost. Also, in my experience Ireland is COLD and there's not a whole whole lot to see.
ReplyDeleteIf I had some time off in September I'd jump at the chance to travel with you! Especially because I've always wanted to go horse riding and I'd go anywhere - Italy or France is fine with me :)
ReplyDeleteThe Irish one sounds fab! In fact they all do! Ireland is such a beautiful country with SO much history!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Taiwan very much, you can see the post on it here: http://www.kyotomaiko.com/2011/08/taiwan.html
ReplyDeleteThey all sound amazing!!! Can't wait to hear!
ReplyDelete:)
Allison
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ReplyDeleteBut you would be staying in a castle!!! A castle!!
ReplyDelete*Erin
Hi Rooth! I think I'm in the minority by voting for Italy. I've been to Rome once before and it is rich with history that I think you will appreciate. Here's the thing, you can't go wrong with any of these choices. I've heard Ireland is beautiful and France...Well, it's France. ;) I'm going to have to live vicariously through you.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh this looks amazing! Travelling makes me really nervous and stressed as well, but it's worth it in the end. I honestly can't decide... I think I'll go with Ireland, just for the castle.
ReplyDeleteI voted France, cause Paris and south of France are amazing!! I have never even come close to a horse but i love to watch other ppl ride them, so classy
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures, I love ride a horse ;)
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I must say I am green with envy! I mean really, really green!! Have you decided yet? Hard decision - my sister spent a season working for an equestrian place attached to a castle in Ireland. She loved it - very pretty surroundings and great people, but jolly cold! France would be great - galloping along a beach would be a blast, and you'd get to visit several different places.... Love to know which one you choose!
ReplyDelete