Comfort
You will stay in a charming 4 star hotel in the heart of Carmona, in double or twin rooms. Their are ensuite bathrooms and towels are provided. The hotel has a restuarant, a tapas bar and an Irish bar, as well as a swimming pool and patio areas. In the town of Carmona there are many restaurants to choose from - simple tapas to silver service - or you can choose to eat at the hotel or use their room service.
During the day, at the riding centre's hacienda, there is a swimming pool (towels will be provided), a relaxing lounge and outdoor seating areas. You will have lunch in their dining room each day.
Please note: Epona has good Wi-fi service, however at the hotel the connection is limited.
Meals
Breakfast is continental and dinner is had all together, buffet style, at the hacienda. Apart from the first evening where you will enjoy a buffet dinner with your host Fernando, dinners are not included. You may choose to eat in the restaurant at the hotel or in local restaurants.
Climate
Situated in southern Spain, not far from the African continent, Seville enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Being set inland from the sea, in the vast Guadalquivir plain, this allows for relatively mild and clement weather all year long.
The average yearly temperature is around 19.2 °C.
Seville’s summers can be long and scorching with average temperatures often over 25 °C from May to October; with a record high of 46.6 °C. The temperatures peak between June and September with the temperature routinely reaching/ or topping 30 °C.
Tips
It is customary to leave a tip in restaurants in Spain. Around 10% of the bill is the standard, although it is often include – so do check. Tipping both in restaurants and to the team at the hacienda rests at your discretion.
We suggest two alternatives when you leave a tip. You can hand out the chosen amount personally to the staff member or members to whom you wish to show your appreciation, or you can put a general amount in an envelope and hand it to a member of the Garcia family (preferably Vivi), to be divided up equally, or according to your specifications, among the staff. Please do not give tips to be divided, to any members of staff, to avoid confusion and sometimes problems among the staff.
Packing list
Please pack carefully and sensibly: the following guide is here to give you an idea of what to bring. This list must be adapted depending on the season and individual needs.
In Spring, Autumn and especially in the summer months, it can get very hot, so to avoid feeling sweaty and sticky all the time, try to choose natural fabrics, especially cotton. Dress at Epona is very casual, even for the visits, jeans and T-shirts or a summery dress, are fine. For emergencies, at the hotel there is a laundry service.
Head
- Riding helmet
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
Upper Body
- Half or long-sleeved cotton shirts (to provide protection from the sun) or T-shirt in a quick-drying material
- A lightweight fleece or jumper
- Swimsuit
- If coming in winter, autumn or spring, a light shower jacket (the kind you can fold up into a little ball)
Legs
- 2 pairs of jodhpurs or riding trousers
- 1 pair of casual trousers (tracksuit bottoms, leggings or jeans)
- Cotton or synthetic underwear (non-irritant)
Hands and feet
- Short jodhpur boots and half chaps are the best option as they are much cooler and easier to transport, but if you are used to riding in your long boots and want to wear them it is fine.
- Lightweight shoes, sandals or trainers for the evenings
- Several pairs of socks
- Gloves
Medical kit
- Any medication you regularly take
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent, preferably containing deet
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
Our Recommendations
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (passport, camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- You should also bring a copy of your passport/insurance in case you lose your documents. You can also save a copy into your mobile phone.
