YOGA & HORSEBACK RIDING HOLIDAY BY THE BEACH IN ANDALUSIA, SPAIN

Zahora, Spain

CW
CASARA WAY
  • Email address verified
Oct 15 - 20, 2017
Group size: 6 - 12
YOGA & HORSEBACK RIDING HOLIDAY BY THE BEACH IN ANDALUSIA, SPAIN
Zahora, Spain

CASARA WAY
  • Email address verified

Oct 15 - 20, 2017
Group size: 6 - 12

About this trip

If you love yoga and riding through beautiful scenery, galloping along deserted sandy beaches and exploring miles of sweet smelling pine forest, then we have just the holiday for you.


Our Horse Riding & Yoga Retreat includes daily Pranayama classes, Ashtanga classes in the morning, horse riding trips exploring the nearby beaches, the outskirts of the La Breña y Las Marismas del Barbate Natural Park and the beautiful countryside around Zahora, restorative yin yoga classes in the early evening, evening workshops and three delicious vegetarian meals per day.


Ride our exceptional Spanish and Hispano-Árabe horses through the most breathtaking and varied countryside that Zahora has to offer.


Horses are grounded and centred by nature. Horses will help you to focus on the here and now. They help you develop inner strength and authenticity and show you the importance of your intentions. Yoga and meditation with horses shows how important the connection is with yourself and your environment to achieve your goals. You will use respectful, non-verbal communication to create cooperation and work together as one.


You will also develop your inner attitude, inner silence, relaxation, grounding, balance, breathing techniques and body posture, building up your confidence, non-verbal communication, tenderness and clarity.


A small riding group (never more than six riders) will be accompanied at all times by two of our experienced guides.


Each day after our delicious organic breakfast or lunch, depending on the weather conditions, our guests will saddle up at our nearby stables.


You will ride out for approximately three hours with usually two and a half hours in the saddle. Each ride is varied and different. We do not set a strict daily itinerary because we like to choose the right ride for the right day.

 

Our riding team
Our team are all passionate horse lovers with many years of experience of owning, riding and training horses. Being from this part of Spain, we know the local countryside very well, with all the folklore and traditions of Andalusia, a place full of the living heritage of the Spanish horse. We will do our utmost to give you a holiday that you will always remember with special affection.


Our horses
We have 10 horses, who are all very fit, healthy, very well cared for and well schooled. Each horse has a different personality and we will always try to match each rider with the right horse. Our horses are 150cm/59inches tall and will carry you with confidence and sure-footedness through the undulating Andalusian terrain.


Do you need to bring a riding hat?
We strongly recommend that you do; however helmets are provided.
You can ride without a helmet but your insurance must clearly state that you are covered to do so.


Do we have limits on age?
Wedo not have an upper age limit, as long as you are fit and healthy and can ride for 2 ½ hours a day. Unfortunately we do not have horses for children. We can take teenagers if they know how to ride.


What level of rider should you be?
Our rides are for intermediate riders. You should be comfortable at walking in open spaces for 2 ½ hours a day.
The horses are 150cm/59inches tall and riders need to weigh less than 90 kilos/198 pounds


What do you need to bring with you?
We recommend you wear riding breeches and boots on your riding holiday.

Beach Rides

The Beach Rides, we will ride along the edge of the forest down onto the long sandy beaches of Cape Trafalgar and El Palmar. These beaches stretch for 10km, giving plenty of room to get to know your horse and let him show you what he can really do. The sightseeing is spectacular and the colourful sunsets are among the best of the whole coast. For those of you who have already ridden on a beach we need not say no more. For those that have not, then prepare to make your dreams come true. 

Forest Rides

Forest Rides, the stables sit on the edge of the spectacular natural park of La Breña y Las Marismas del Barbate Natural Park, consisting of pine forest, salt marshes, steep cliffs and miles of sandy beach. La Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park is the second largest coastal reserve in Andalusia and is considered one of the most diverse and best-preserved parts of the Andalusian coast.

Countryside Rides

Countryside Rides, the rolling hills of the countryside riders offer fantastic views as we ride over ancient drovers’ roads and cattle tracks. We will ride to the hermitage of San Ambrosio, which dates back to Roman times. We will also visit the El Palomar de la Brena, the biggest dovecote in the world.

Yoga classes

We cater for all levels of ability. If yoga is something you have never tried before, this is your opportunity to try out something new. Alternatively, if you are experienced then this is the opportunity to go deeper in your practice with our experienced team in the beautiful and magical surroundings of Zahora.


Studies have proven yoga to be one of the best ways to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and relieve insomnia, depression and anxiety. Yoga also helps to improve overall fitness, strength, and flexibility.


At CASARA WAY there will be two classes of yoga and a pranayama session from Monday to Friday. Additional yoga scheduled during the week can be arranged upon request.

Morning Pranayama class

The ancient Pranayama breathing techniques are an efficient way of purifying the body and stimulate the metabolism. With the basic act of bringing in more oxygen, vitamins and minerals are more easily absorbed. With good exhalation, more toxins are removed from the bloodstream, which revitalizes the organs and clarifies the mind.


Breathing properly sends oxygen flooding into every single cell in your body. The air does not just come into your lungs, but is taken to every single cell in your body via your circulation system.


Benefits: Pranayama techniques are beneficial in treating a range of stress and emotional related disorders. Pranayama helps relieve the symptoms of asthma. Practising pranayama everyday can assist in developing a steady mind and strong willpower.

Morning Ashtanga Yoga class

Ashtanga Yoga is a system of yoga transmitted to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009). This method of yoga involves synchronizing a progressive series of postures, linked by movement and breath.


Ashtanga classes are great for students who are new to yoga, yoga practitioners who want to learn more about Ashtanga, or anyone looking for a refresher course.


We will go through the fundamentals of Ashtanga yoga practice in a slow, safe and comprehensive manner.


Benefits: Ashtanga practice produces intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is an improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. This practice stretches the entire body and increase flexibility. It also relaxes the nervous system, improves concentration and provides all over physical and mental well-being. Ashtanga helps alleviate tension, reduce stress and regularize the metabolism, noticeably improving digestion and sleep.

Early evening Yin Yoga class

Yin Yoga is a meditative practice that consists of floor postures (asanas) held passively for extended periods of time (1-5 minutes). The postures target the underlying connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, fascia) of the hips, pelvis and back. The practice of surrender opens the body and helps cultivate the ability to observe and stay with the sensation.


After a day of fun exercise, full of movement, rhythm and repetition, our muscles expand and contract. The muscles tend to lose their natural softness and become more inflexible. Practising yin yoga helps gives you the balance your body needs. You will not only heal injuries from the past, but also prevent injuries in the future.


Benefits: This practice calms and balances the mind and body, increases circulation and improves joint mobility and fascial release. It also reduces stress and anxiety, helps injury recovery and reduces the risk of new injuries.

Food

Nutritionally dense, artfully prepared, organic plant-based cuisine fuels the body and delights the senses.


Nutrition at CASARA WAY is based on the healing principles of healthy nutrition with organic products from our own garden. We produce many of the vegetables and fruit that we cook and serve. When necessary we buy products from local farmers, all according to the season.

The nutrition at CASARA WAY will help detox your body and flush away any toxins, all while delighting your taste buds.


We have a large dining room in the main house where we serve buffet-style meals three times per day. In the dining room, healthy snacks, fresh fruit, filtered water and infusions are available throughout the day.


There are dining tables both inside and outside. 


 Typical foods served 

Breakfast: Fruit salad / homemade bread, granola, yoghurt and jam / coffee / tea / infusions / detox water / milk (cow, almond, soya) / eggs / butter / gourmet honey

Lunch: Variety of salads and vegetables, hummus, guacamole, falafel, freshly made soups / rice / pasta / pizza / bruschetta / lasagne / Spanish omelette / wok-style cooking / stews / pies / homemade bread and deserts / fruit / coffee / tea / infusions

Dinner: Variety of salads and vegetables / soups / wok-style cooking / homemade bread / infusions / fruit


Special menu request

We can easily accommodate diets such as gluten free and vegan if you let us know before your stay. If you have other dietary requirements, then contact us to discuss them and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

LOCATION

CASARA WAY (Wellness And Yoga) is located in an idyllic enclave with stunning views of the majestic waters of the Atlantic Ocean and of Cape Trafalgar, where in 1805 the Royal Navy of Great Britain under the command of Admiral Nelson defeated the combined Spanish and French fleets, changing the course of history in the Napoleonic Wars.


Zahora Beach is 3,000 metres long and 40 metres wide. With its fine gold sand, crystal-clear blue waters and 300 days of sunlight per year, the beach is an earthly paradise that seems like a glimpse of heaven.


Besides the wonderful sunsets, the most spectacular aspect of the beach is the huge reef that shows at low tide and the enormous lagoon that appears when the water is shallow. The colourful sunsets and the scenery make for some of the most breathtaking sights in all of southern Spain.


Nearby guests can visit the La Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park, a huge coastal reserve that is a popular area for equestrian, cycling and water sports. The shore is lined by towering cliffs, home to teeming colonies of herring gulls and egrets.


Ancient watchtowers from the 17th and 18th centuries (Torre del Tajo and Torre de Meca) stand on the cliffs overlooking the sea, where local fishermen use the traditional almadraba technique to catch tuna fish.


Thick stands of stone pine provide shade for a stunning variety of Mediterranean wildflowers.

The area is protected because of the precious ecosystem of the rocks and the rich variety of the offshore marine life. This is one of the most ecologically diverse and best-preserved parts of the entire Andalusian coast.


Zahora is also the perfect base for discovering the charms of the province of Cadiz and the whole Costa de la Luz. Located in the centre of the coast of Cadiz, there are nearby destinations of great interest that are barely an hour’s drive away; such as Cadiz itself, Puerto Santa María, Jerez de la Frontera, Tarifa, Vejer, Conil, Zahara de los Atunes, Bolonia and other small towns all over the province.


How to get there?

We recommend that you fly into Jerez but you can also fly to Seville, Malaga or Gibraltar.

We can book a transfer (shuttle) for you from the airport to CASARA WAY. We will try to match you with other arriving guests to spread the cost. If you wish us to book a transfer (shuttle) for you we will need you to give us at least three days’ notice to find the best option for you.

Conil de la Frontera, Vejer de la Frontera and Barbate are all around 10km from CASARA WAY. If you let us know your arrival time in advance we can pick you up there for free.

A transfer to/from Cadiz city costs €75 per car and to/from Jerez airport costs €100 per car.

If you are interested in renting a car, we recommend this website: www.rentalcars.com


Directions to CASARA WAY

Go to Google Maps to get the directions to CASARA ZAHORA (Pago de zahora 249, CP/11159, Zahora, Barbate) or Bungalows Camping Caños de Meca. CASARA WAY is 1km from Bungalows Camping Caños de Meca.

GPS: 36º 11’45’’N 6º 02’27’’W


Local Maps and Spanish Tourist Information

We provide a wide variety of maps and tourist information about the nearby towns and local attractions, as well as bus schedules.

ACCOMMODATION

Our five rural cottages lie nestled between trees just 50 metres from the beach. You will have private access to the Zahora beach along a short track that passes by beautiful horses and the odd chicken and turkey.


This rustic and wild beach does not usually fill up with tourists and is one of the last surviving pieces of secret Spain.


CASARA WAY has a wonderfully calm and friendly atmosphere with a total of five tastefully decorated and self-contained cottages.


In the shared spaces of our beautiful garden you can soak up the atmosphere and go home feeling totally rejuvenated.


Wherever you stay, you will be able to stroll through the gardens, walk along Zahora beach, hear the roaring waves of the Atlantic Ocean or just listen to the birds singing from your room.

Inviting outdoor areas provide everything you need for chilling out (loungers, deck chairs, hammocks) and making yourself feel completely at home.


Private or shared rooms with bathroom and shower are available in the cottages.


The cottages are chic and stylish and have all the amenities required to make your stay comfortable and memorable: international TV channels, fridge, freezer, microwave, coffee-maker, kettle, toaster, juicer, blender, washing machine, iron, and alarm clock.


Whether you are a single traveller, a couple, friends, or a larger group, CASARA WAY has a place for you.

WEATHER

The province of Cadiz receives about 300 days of sunlight per year. Your vacation in Cadiz is guaranteed to be sunny and bright.


Keep an eye on the weather forecast before coming over. Most of the year the weather is warm and dry but in the winter the conditions can be cool and wet. In winter we recommend long sleeves, a jersey, a lightweight waterproof jacket and trousers. For the rest of the year, sunglasses and sunscreen are more important.


The region of Cadiz is known for its magic, natural charm and sunshine. No matter what time you decide to come, Cadiz will always be waiting for you with sunshine and energy ready to recharge your spirit. With its delicious cuisine, lively people and glorious beaches, Cadiz is one of the best loved and best preserved regions of western Europe.

What’s included

  • Accommodation
    In fully equipped self-contained cottages
  • Food
    3 daily vegetarian meals with appetizers (breakfast, lunch, dinner) from Monday to Thrusday and breakfast on Friday
  • Yoga classes
    9 Yoga classes (five Ashtanga/Hatha Yoga classes of 75 to 90 minutes and four Yin Yoga classes of 60 minutes)
  • Pranayama classes
    5 Pranayama classes of 15 minutes
  • Hikes/Walking tours
    3 hikes/walking tours in the beautiful settings of Zahora (60 to 90 minutes).
  • Workshops
    3 workshops or satsang. Subject will be chosen upon demand at check-in
  • Transfer
    Airport transfers from Seville and Jerez
  • Excursion
    We will take you to one of the beatiful White Towns of Andalusia
  • Horse Riding
    4 Horse Riding trips, (2 1/2 to 3 hours in the saddle)

What’s not included

  • Flights
    Travel, such as airfare and transfers
  • Insurance
  • Extra activities
    Any other activity you wish to book

Available Packages

Shared room

 A shared room in a self-contained cottage, (max capacity two people in the room and two or three people in the cottage)

€795
Deposit: €240
Private room with shared bathroom

 A private room with shared bathroom in a self-contained cottage. (max capacity two or three people in the cottage) 

€962
Deposit: €290
Private room with bathroom

 Private self-contained cottage with bathroom 

€1,230
Deposit: €370
2 Friends in Private room share Bathroom

 You can book a private room in a self-contained cottage with a shared bathroom with a king bed or two single beds. (max capacity two people in the room and three or four people in the cottage)

€1,550
Deposit: €465
3 Friends in Private cottage

A self-contained cottage with two bedrooms.

€2,280
Deposit: €684
4 Friends in Private cottage
€3,040
Deposit: €910


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CW
CASARA WAY
Joined in August 2017
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