HUERTA MONTERO! HOLIDAYS WITH A DIFFERENCE JEREZ HORSE FERIA NEW DATES JUST RELEASED FOR THE FERIA DEL CABALLO FOR 2010   DATES 2nd to the 9th MAY Don't miss the opportunity to visit the most vibrant and enjoyable Feria of Andalusia   NOW CONFIRMED 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS   FLEXIBLE   ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE DAYS   FROM   ONLY £259pp Spain's world famous sherry producing town, Jerez de la Frontera, plays host to the most prestigious equine heritage event in the whole of   Europe, the 'feria del caballo'.  The annual fair began as a livestock show in 1284 and is now a magnet for horse lovers.  There are all kinds of horse related activities during this festive week, such as international show-jumping competitions, vaulting, dressage, horse rally, select livestock exhibitions and auctions.   It attracts many thousands of visitors each year who come to witness the remarkable displays of horsemanship along with the bullfights and exhibitions of Sevilliana (flamenco).   During the day the   González de Hontoria park fills with hundreds of   riders dressed a la Andaluz, and   carriages   that drive through the streets of the show ground in a majestic spectacle well worth seeing.   However, the highlight of the Jerez Horse Fair is undoubtedly the "Como Bailan los Caballos Andaluces " or the Dancing Andalusian Horses.   People eat, drink. and   dance Sevillanas until the early hours of the morning with an incredible, enjoyable atmosphere that seems to transform the park into one big flamenco hall.   Children’s attractions, bullfights, sevillana dance competitions and fireworks are other festive activities that complete the programme of the Fair.  A trip to The annual Jerez Horse Fair should certainly be on the agenda not only of all horse lovers but also for anyone who wants to sample a taste of rural Spain at its very best. Organizing ferias is one thing that the Spanish, and the Andalusians in particular excel at and the Feria de Caballo de Jerez is certainly no exception.  Below is a similar package enjoyed by our guests for the FERIA DEL CABALLO 2008 held between 27th April and 4th May 2008...Read some of their reviews HERE.   For more information regarding this exciting equestrian event visit the Tourist information site. SAT .Arrival at Jerez airport you are greeted by   our representatives and transferred to Huerta Montero in Chiclana (45mins) where, after being shown your accomodation you are offered welcome drinks and snacks with the chance to meet your fellow guests.   If you have chosen a morning flight then you have the option to enjoy some free time or   visit a local riding centre for a hack in the pine forest.  Those arriving on the evening flight will be transfered directly to Huerta Montero and then you all have the opportunity to go to the seafront, where you can try out some of the many restaurants and bars   (optional). Transfer back to accommodation..     SUN .After hearty hot and cold buffet breakfast served by the pool we will transfer you to the centre of Jerez. We arrive at Tio Pepe's for   Bodega visit, which will last approximately one and a half hours.     You have plenty of time to visit the City, the Equestrian museum and much more. Enjoy one of the many demonstrations and shows at the Palacio de Exposiciones de IFECA, or the Centro de Reproducción Equina nº2.  The parade in the Gonzalez de Hontoria park begins at 13.00 until 19.00.   At 19.00,   transfer back to the complex.     Relax or freshen up then at 21.00 you are all invited, it's BBQ time.   Taste fresh prawns, succulent chicken and tender steak with a few local tapa dishes all washed down with complimentary   drinks of wine, beer or soft drinks.   There will also be a vast choice of vegeterian dishes.  Mix with fellow guests and enjoy the evening. MON  After breakfast there is the option for those that ride to join in a two hour ride to the beach or   take advantage of free time to explore the area and try some local cuisine. There are many other activites that can be arranged such as a trip into Chiclana, quad biking, scuba diving, boat trips up the Guadalquivir river etc.  You have all day to explore as   we plan to leave at   8.00pm to enjoy the feria by night when all the park lights are lit and the atmospfere is electric. The young at heart will love the huge fun fair at the end of Avenida de las Palmeras.  Sit with a cool drink and people watch, or enjoy the music and dance the night away with the locals but whatever you do be prepared for a late one.     TUES  Later breakfast, you'll probably need it.  Then we make a move at about 11.00 to Jerez to see the spectacular and famous show 'Como bailan Los Caballos Andaluces', (tickets not included and must be booked in advance).   Performed by Jerez's very own Real Escuela de Arte Ecuestre   (Royal School of Equestrian Art) is a fully fledged equestrian ballet, featuring choreography adapted from the training exercises of classical and doma vaquera, along with Spanish music and costumes.  You can enjoy the rest of the afternoon to once again visit all the events going on.  Transfer time back to accommodation at approximately 17.00.  Free time until 19.00 then you are invited for an Spanish/Italian themed meal.    WED  Some of you will be flying back to the UK today so after a hearty breakfast, and having said our goodbyes, we head off to the airport in time for your check in.  For those of you who have booked for the week you have a free time day to explore some of the other fabulous locations in this area.   We have mountain bikes available to hire and you are welcome to use one of our picnic hampers.   Guests arriving today will be collected from the airport and have the same itinerary Saturday.                           THURS  - FRIDAY   - SATURDAY   If you are staying for the week you have the option to join the group and repeat all of the above trips, or we can   organize on your behalf trips to Gibralter, Seville, Cadiz.   There is also the possibility to hire a car to go and explore some of the fabulous beaches.   If neither of these appeal, then why not relax near the pool.   It's your choice.  For those guests that arrived yesterday, the fun begins with their first visit to Jerez   and the itinerary   remains as above with the option of going to the Yeguada del Hierro instead of the Royal School. SUN  After breakfast we begin the journey to Jerez airport where we say farewell to those guests   booked on the morning flight back to the Uk.   Guests on the evening flight get   the chance to relax and do their own thing until it is time to leave for the  airport.   We hope   to see you all again  next year.  Please note: The final itinerary will be sent out Sunday month prior to the holiday and may include updates and changes, as many events are arranged by local organizations nearer to the date. PLEASE BARE IN MIND THAT WE CAN BE VERY FLEXIBLE ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DATES.  THE FINAL ITINERARY CAN BE CHANGED TO SUIT ALL REQUIREMENTS.   HUERTA MONTERO CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 14 GUESTS Combine your vacation with some of your favourite activities.   Below are just a few we have on offer. Royal Equestrian School of Jerez.   SHOW "CÓMO BAILAN LOS CABALLOS ANDALUCES'.   Sitting proudly in the centre of the town of Jerez de la Frontera, the famous Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre draws millions of visitors each year.   The equestrian centre is built around the Recreo de las Cadenas Palace, itself an amazing 19th century baroque-style building designed by Charles Garnier (he also designed the Paris Opera.) The shows are held in the 1600 seat arena. After a disco style burst with laser lights, the distinctive tones of flamenco guitar take over and some ten riders dressed in 18th century country costume make their entrance. Then the impressive equestrian ballet begins Monday/Wednesday/Friday (except August) 10am Watch training and visits to the stables, the tack room, the saddlery, the Palace rooms, the Museum of Equestrian Arts and the Carriage Museum. Tuesdays/Thursdays 12.00pm The Show ‘Como Ballan los caballos andaluses’     28 euros pp includes transport (general rows)   34 euros pp preference rows.   Special evening performances and events during the Feria del Caballo.                     Alvaro Domecqs Farm of working horses and cattle       Los Alburejos “Torrestrella Brave bulls and fine horses. That is the world of Alvaro Domecq. On the estate Los Alburejos, nearby Medina Sidonia, he is breeding the Torrestrella bulls, famous for their bravery and ferocity, and the best horses in Andalusia. Enjoy the real Spain on the Alvaro Domecq estate and see and take part in Acoso and Deribo, Horse Shows, Horse Riding, 4x4 trips, flamenco.   See the natural beauty of the estate, the different stages in the live of the fighting bulls, horses, oxen, cows and other animals in the fighting bulls environment.  Hear the birdsong, the bellowing of the bulls, the neighing of the horses, the sound of the cowbells… and the quiet of the countryside, the Andalusian pastures.   Smell the aromas of wet land and dry grasses.  Feel the caress of the wind on your skin. Taste the sherry wine with friends Wednesdays/ Fridays/Sundays except on the 21st March Easter holiday.   Performance at 11.00 a.m.  Ticket office opens at 10.00 a.m.   Parking 700 meters from grandstand. Enjoy a walk through the countryside to the grandstand. 25 euros pp includes transport                   Yeguada de la Cartuja - Hierro del Bocado Stud,   The most important reserve of pure thoroughbred Spanish Carthusian horses in the world. The visit to the Yeguada de la Cartuja - Hierro del Bocado Stud and the facilities of the Finca Fuente del Suero Estate include the following events: Stroll through the courtyard and boxes of the stallions and carriage horses, Visit to the parturition area with the recently born foals and the clinic, which is one of the most complete in Europe with the best equipment and technology specialising in the breeding, reproduction and research into fine horses.Visit to the building housing the mares, where the mares with colts are stabled and the visitor can walk amongst them. Presentation show in the covered riding school of free - range colts of different ages, carriage horses, mares trained for threshing wheat.   Visit to the special harness room and shop. Invitation to a complementary glass (or two) of Sherry. Saturdays only entrance 11.00am 20euros pp includes transport                                 If the above is not enough then why not take a ride and discover the beautiful surrounding areas on horseback by taking a ride on La Patiña Riding Centre.   Horse riding is just one of many activities that can be done whilst at staying at Herta Montero and there are many riding establishments nearby offering you the chance to enjoy some fanstastic scenery. Lessons are also available for the novice rider at. Lessons include walking, trotting and maybe cantering if the rider feels that he or she is ready. Mountain and beach hacks are also available but they contain more intense riding so novice and less experienced riders should consider lessons in the sand based menage. All horse riding hacks are accompanied by at least Arte lead riders that are trained in the case of an emergency. Lead reign lessons and mini hacks are available for children, these would last between 15 minutes and ½ an hour. The beach hack is very popular and the beautiful Andalucian horses will carry you through some beautiful peaceful pine forests to areas off of the beaten track,   through to wide and expansive beach areas which allow you to enjoy a gallop along the beach. Price for Sunday hour is 25 euros and for two hours 50 euros.     Trail rides with lunch also available..