Jerez Feria

Jerez Feria Overview

Jerez holds its annual Feria in Gonzalez Hontoria Park each year. This is one of the most important events in the equestrian calendar of Andalucia. Here we combine riding with the festivities of this prestigious event. Non riders are also welcome!

Day One: Arrive at Seville, Malaga or Jerez airport and make your way to your accommodation in the centre of Jerez. Equestrian Escapes has reserved a beautiful traditional Spainish hotel for this spectacular event. The hotel is located amongst the cobbled streets of the historic city centre within walking distance of ‘La Plaza del Caballo’, The Royal Riding School and Gonzalez Hontoria Park where the Feria is based. Jerez offers an endless choice of fine restaurants and tapas bars so you will never be short of somewhere to sit with a glass of wine in the cool of the evening. Day Two: After breakfast this morning you will be walking the short distance to The Royal Riding School of Jerez where you will be allocated your seats for the wonderful display: ‘How the Andalusian horses dance.’ The Royal Riding School is renowned throughout the World for their breath-taking exhibition and their painstaking training methods make this show a real delight as they perform intricate and demanding movements with effortless grace and control. This equestrian ballet is set to traditional Spanish music and demonstrates both styles of Spanish Riding, Doma Vaquera and Doma Clasica. If your dates include the evening of the Special Gala evening performance, which is usually the final show, we will upgrade you to this performance. This afternoon you can enjoy a private lesson or a ride around the vineyards of Jerez on beautifully trained Andalucian horses. Choose between a lesson on a wonderfully trained Andalusian horse (min of two at same riding level for a lesson) or a two hour ride around the private stud farm. We have horses suitable for all ages and abilities! Later relax and reflect on the experiences of the day with a glass of Jerez’s finest wine. This evening you will be heading to Gonzalez Hontoria Park where you will have your first taste of this colourful and spectacular celebration. Day Three: Today you will be free to enjoy the Feria. There is a huge programme of events that run throughout the day and late into the night. The lovely hotel staff will help you organise your Feria plans throughout your stay. You really can’t visit Andalucia without witnessing at first hand the passion of the Flamenco dance! The origin of this dance is still unknown, although it is generally believed to be a mixture of gypsy and Arabic dance. However, you can’t question the passion and fervour of the performers as they combine the acoustic guitar with singing, dancing and staccato hand clapping. Definitely a night to remember! This is something that can be arranged with your hotel. Day Four: La Yeguada de la Cartuja (The National Stud Farm) perform regulary throughout the Feria week. Each year they bring a selection of their finest breeding mares, stallions and young stock to the show. Here they are paraded with great pride and even the most hardened equestrian fan walks away with a lump in their throat! The history of this stud has ensured that the purest of bloodlines has been maintained in these exceptional examples of Spanish stock. Day Five: This morning you will be free to visit one of Jerez’s many bodegas, take a horse drawn carriage ride through the town or you can simply relax in the central plaza and watch the world pass-by. The most famous bodega in town is Gonzales Byass Bodega, founded in 1835 and the birthplace of ‘Tio Pepe,’ which was first exported to Great Britain in 1844. Today, the impressive visitor centre sets you on a course of discovery as you learn to appreciate and savour the wonderful local wines. Please note this itinerary is flexible and once you have booked your holiday we will make reservations for the riding, Royal Riding School and Bodega visits. The rest of the time you are free to visit the Feria whenever you please. Our hotel is family run and has been working with us for years - they will help you plan your visits to the events at the feria. Package prices start from £1095 per person based on two people in a basic twin or double room for a 4 nights stay, prices increase depending on type of room. Single traveller prices are available but they are around double as one person will be taking a room for two. Ask for prices for this package for a single person staying in a double room on their own. If you are travelling alone and willing to share, please let us know.