Montenmedio Sunshine Tour: 3 February-18 March 2009

Every year in February and March there is an annual pilgrimage when top riders, horses and trainers from all over Europe descend on the Costa De La Luz, and spend a few weeks at Montenmedio and partake in the Sunshine Tour.

This is a famous event comprising international dressage and show jumping events hosted at the Montenmedio arena. Built in 2002 this perfect venue is a vast structure covering 15,600 square metres. The covered area provides the ideal space for competitions regardless of the weather with neither intense rains nor blazing sun interfering with the proceedings.

A fortnight of equestrian excellence

The Sunshine Games are a long series of equine events, and Olympic Qualifying events are included among the many scheduled competitions for this prestigious gathering. There will be a total of five international show jumping and dressage events, all in the three-star category.

It is deliberately held at a single venue in order to require the least travelling on the part of the participating horses. In fact, the horses involved do travel to the site of the games at Montenmedio near Vejer from around 20 countries. Once there, however, they are able to settle in, relax and enjoy excellent conditions to perform in a wide array of events at the Montenmedio arena. It is to take place between February 3 – 18, 2009.

And as the horses are stabled and looked after on site at the Montenmedio Riding Centre, the surrounding area is preparing to welcome the hundreds of guests who also need accommodation. The beautiful white washed hill top town of Vejer is the nearest village, and offers a fabulous array of restaurants and bars to refresh the spirit after a long day in the saddle.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay then look no further, there is a wonderful town house in Vejer that can sleep up to 16 people, and is the perfect place for guests and competitors. It is located in the centre of the town, near the Plaza España, close to many bars and restaurants, but should you prefer to stay at home then the house provides full facilities in a well-appointed kitchen and dining area, TV with a host of DVD’s, music collection and board games to entertain you. For more information visit www.houseinvejer.com

Vejer is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year, the winter being no exception – those of us who are used to the colder climes of northern Europe or America will surely welcome the temperatures which vary between 14°C and 20°C (61°F – 69°F). The extended hours of dazzling sun also offer another means to beat the seasonal blues – Vejer is located on the Costa de la Luz (literally “coast of light”), and with a yearly average of over 3200 hours of sunshine, that name is hugely apt. An additional benefit of visiting the area out of season is that the stunning wide sandy beaches at El Palmar, Conil, Zahara de los Atunes and Canos de Meca are considerably emptier when compared with the summer months. Of course, you might come across the odd rain shower at this time of year, but these usually pass quickly. On a clear day (of which there are many!), you should be able to make out the coastline of north Africa – Andalucia representing the end of one continent, and the beginning of another…

For those interested in sporting pursuits on the water, the coast is a renowned international destination for windsurfing, and the old Moorish town of Tarifa (38 kilometers from Vejer), is at its very epicentre. More locally, surfers can enjoy some truly excellent conditions at El Palmar (a fine beach break spot) and Conil (reef spot) as the Atlantic winter swells take hold – with fewer swimmers in the water at this time of year, the freedom of the waves beckons!

In Vejer itself, the pace of life slows down even more during the winter months, and offers visitors a taste of the real Spain minus the crowds, making for an ideal getaway from hectic urban lifestyles. The area is also rich in history, and no trip would be complete without a visit to Cape Trafalgar, scene of one of the most pivotal naval battles of all time, and where the combined seaborne might of France and Spain locked horns with the British fleet, under the command of a certain Horatio Nelson.

New Year’s Eve sees the people of Vejer coming together to enjoy the traditional huvas - grapes – one being eaten with each chime at midnight, and washed down with liberal amounts of champagne or cava - a wonderful way to see the coming year in!

If you want to arrange winter holidays in Vejer, you might consider staying at our delightful townhouse in the historic town centre, and an ideal base from which to explore the magical Costa de la Luz region – we look forward to welcoming you soon!

Finally, we’d like to extend our very best wishes for the coming year to all our readers – feliz año nuevo!

There are a multitude of Via Verdes (green ways) in Andalusia many of which are unused or reclaimed railway tracks that wind through beautiful and barren terrain and a fabulous way to explore the countryside whether on foot or by bike. Earlier this year 8 intrepid explorers, unfit after a long English winter, hired 8 bikes from Honorio at the Estacion Punto Serrano which is about a half hour drive north of Arcos de la Frontera.

This old railway station is the start of one of the many Via Verdes in the region, an abandoned railway track that winds 36 kilometres through the hills passing through Coripe and finishing up at Olvera. The track in the main is relatively flat being punctuated with tunnels, some up to 1000 metres long, which cut through the hillsides, while viaducts span the ravines.

There is one stop on the way, another converted railway station 17k out at Coripe, offering a good lunch, tapas and welcome cold beers, and is a good halfway house, or even a turn back point for those not wanting to do the whole journey.

It is possible to cycle the full distance in one day but the hire bikes were not what we were accustomed to and progress was slower than it might have been; safe with good brakes and hard tyres but the gears needed some attention. The hire cost is 12 euros a day, or 8 euros for a half day. Well worth taking the time to do with so much wildlife and stunningly beautiful scenery, completely unspoilt and deserted. The track is closed in August when it is too hot.

If you are looking to cycle the Via Verde, you’ll undoubtedly maximise your enjoyment by having a good base in the area from which to explore. Why not find out more about our rental accommodation in Vejer – we have a truly stunning house for rent in Vejer…