Weekend to Remember, Destination Ideas Needed!

[nigel_b]

My daughter turned 18 recently and I want to take her away for a weekend somewhere to celebrate and before she goes off to do the university thing in September. I'm basically looking for good ideas.

She likes horses and horse riding, I like wildlife and bird watching. I dont think we'll be able to accomodate all our likes but who knows.

I was thinking maybe Badminton Horse Trials or Horse of the Year show but she tends to do that sort of thing with her mother. How about a European capital city with an equine attraction?

Any ideas gratefully received! Thanks!

[tufftie]

Spanish Riding School of Vienna would be good.
http://www.srs.at/index.php?id=265

Depends if she likes trail riding or dressage or whatever. If she likes trail riding then there's a great place near Bridgnorth and it's great for wildlife too

[Picidae]

Well the best combination of horses and birding has to be the Camargue in the South of France. Very feasible for a long weekend Fri-Mon or even better make a week of it! How about booking a cheap flight -And what a fantastic surprise it would be.

Camargue Destination Information

The Camargue horses are superb and range from reasonable docile to reasonable volatile. There are 'stables' every where and booking rides is easy either in groups or with just one of the Camargue Guardians (the 'cowboys' that warden the marshes. The birding, well that needs no selling, it's fantastic, especially during May/June or late August/early Sept.

Camargue Sites Visit, - by Provence Beyond

The Camargue in Spring

I've been to the Camargue both for the birding and the riding. What I didn't try was hiring a horse for the whole day and actually combining the two activities but it's something I was considering a few months back as something I'd like to try - it would certainly be possible! Villages St Maries de La Mer http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/bouches/...s/stmaries.htm would be a good destination.

[tufftie]

Picadae's idea sounds much better!

[nigel_b]

Thanks for the replies, excellent ideas. I'll check out the Carmargue links.

[SheffieldLass]

Well you could try Iceland ... horse riding there, and their horses are special ones, and good bird watching, plus the added extras of volcanic features and the Blue Lagoon ... Weather is not its best feature though .... It is cheaper than it was, too, it used to be expensive .... The Blue Lagoon alone is highly memorable, and Snow Buntings pop their heads over the boulders to look at you whilst you wallow in the hot waters ....

[John]

I would definitely second Picidae's suggestion as it is such an incredibly beautiful area with stunning birds and scenery to match.

John