Globe trotting - literally!! (Unicorn Trails)

Member Name: bamamo

Product:	Unicorn Trails
Date:	28/04/09 (135 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Huge range of destinations and styles of ride, all places checked out for healthy and happy horses

Disadvantages: I'm running out of holiday days fast!!

At the moment I'm in the position of wanting to go on holiday and see places but not having anyone to go with. My friends can't afford it, can't get off work, or go away with their boyfriends. So here's me with this ridiculous urge to travel, and I'm not about to let my friends' poor money management etc keep me on British soil.

I am also in the position where my horse, much as I love him, is unable to be ridden due to age and lameness, and I am desperately missing riding. A riding holiday seemed the obvious choice - not only would I get in the saddle, but I would be with likeminded people. I go to a ranch in the US which is like a second home to me, but I do want to see new places and remembered my friend had told me about her wonderful holiday booked through Unicorn Trails.

At the time of my first booking I was also in credit of a return flight with American Airlines, soon to expire, which somewhat restricted my holidaying options. Unable to decide from the wide range of options on the company's website, I decided to fire off an email stating my riding ability, general preferences and budget and the fact that I would have to go somewhere serviced by American Airlines. To me, that seemed like a big ask, yet around an hour later I had a friendly email back summarising various options, with links, that I might like.

Over the next few days I chatted back and forth with my travel agent, and decided upon a trip to Quebec - riding in the snow and an exciting dogsled trip thrown in. I was told that the trip needed five riders to go ahead, and so far nobody else had booked. No problem, a quick call to the hosts in Canada and I was told that they were happy for the trip to go ahead with just me if there were no takers by then.

Even though I was purposely trying not to go on holiday alone, this was mostly because I didn't want to be lodging, eating, finding my way around etc on my own - and a riding trip with hosts meant that this would not be the case. So I eagerly booked anyway. Unicorn require everyone on their holidays to take out travel insurance which covers riding, and they arranged this for me. The full balance was due I believe 10 weeks before departure, with a small deposit upfront.

After my booking, I was provided with contact information for my hosts, packing guidelines, etc and I received a bon voyage message about a week beforehand. In the run-up any questions I had were dealt with extremely quickly - I would usually get a reply an hour or two later, and of course I could have phoned the office if I wanted.

Well, I had an absolutely amazing time on my trip this March. Turns out I was the only rider, but if anything this added to the trip as I was throughly spoilt by my lovely hosts and treated like one of the family. When I returned, I happily emailed my agent and requested further details of a few others I was trying to choose between. She pointed out another trip run by the same hosts as one I had enquired about, which one of her colleagues would be accompanying, and after reading the information on it, it seemed like a wonderful choice.

So next week I will be heading out on my second Unicorn trip and am certain I will have a great time. This will be a camping trail ride in Italy, and will be the total opposite of my other trip being a full house this time! I will update this review with any further thoughts I have upon my return but here's some general info about their rides:

-Firstly my favourite thing - all rides are thoroughly checked out and vetted by the company, so all horses are well cared for and tack in good condition.
-Unicorn offer rides for riders of all abilities, and you can even select a search option for more challenging rides, or those for total beginners. What's more, you can search for those rides which allow a non-riding companion to join you.
-While riding is never a cheap sport, prices are competitive against those of other equestrian travel agents - and service ranges from more rustic camping trips to luxury safaris.
-Almost everything is included in the price with the general exception being alcohol outside of meal times.
-You can ride pretty much anywhere in the world with Unicorn - from France to Finland, Mexico to Madagascar!
-As they are ATOL bonded, Unicorn are able to arrange your flights and insurance for you should you so wish.
-The team are super friendly and very helpful. They have dealt with all of my questions promptly and professionally.
-There are usually offers or last-minute deals available on the website.
-Loyalty discounts applicable.
-Where available, unedited, unbiased ride reviews posted on the website.

If you're a keen rider, or want to learn in an amazing new country, check out the website at www.unicorntrails.com and request a brochure. I'm already planning where to go after my NEXT trip!

Summary: A friendly, efficient and reasonably-priced equine travel agent.