点评:This was truly a six-day trip of a lifetime, I want to do it all again! This was my first time in Ireland, a country where I have ancestral roots and at 76 years old, I thought it was time I made a visit. The idea of combining riding with exploring the west of Ireland sounded great. A friend who did this tour a few years ago raved about it, said I would not be disappointed and I was not; it was fabulous!
From the moment Cait arrived to my Galway hotel with the luxury van I knew I was going to be taken care of. Cait is a joy to be around, organized, with a plan of when and where we go, yet flexible and accommodating to individual wants and needs. Local to Connemara, she knows people wherever she goes, is greeted with warm welcomes that, by association, get extended to tour members. She is skilled at creating a comfortable stay, provides great food, and shares local insights and stories about the region’s history and way of life. She has the insider’s perspective on Irish culture and history.
The hotels and bed and breakfast were comfy, there was an abundance of really good food. The luxury transport van moved us from location to location and as we worked our way closer to the coast, I saw sheep dotting the landscape and Connemara ponies grazing peacefully behind stone walls.
We toured castles, an Abby, and got an insider look at a private estate and gardens. We rode lovely Connemara ponies, and I fell in love with Big John, if only I could have squeezed him into my suitcase. Our experienced guides led the way through lush forests, down ancient walled paths and across sandy beaches. I rode in the Atlantic and later in the day, with the horses heading safely back to their home in their own van, I swam (briefly) in crystal clear ocean water. And lived to tell.
We ended our tour with the Dublin Horse Show! What more could one ask for?
This was the most memorable trip I have ever been on. I want to go back.
翻译:这真是一次终生难忘的六日之旅,我真想再体验一次!这是我第一次到访爱尔兰——一个有我祖先血脉的国家。76岁的我觉得是时候来此一游了。把骑马与游览爱尔兰西部相结合的想法听起来棒极了。几年前参加过同一趟旅行的朋友赞不绝口,说我肯定不会失望,事实也确实如此;这次旅行太棒了!从凯特驾驶着豪华面包车把我送到戈尔韦的酒店那一刻起,我就知道自己会得到无微不至的照顾。凯特是个非常讨人喜欢的人,做事有条理,对行程的时间与地点都有周全的规划,但同时又能灵活变通,满足每个人的需求。作为康尼马拉地区的当地人,无论走到哪里她都认识很多人,大家都会热情地欢迎她;这种热情也自然而然地延伸到了我们这些游客身上。她很擅长营造舒适的住宿环境,还能提供美味的食物。她分享着关于该地区历史与生活方式的本地见解和故事。她对爱尔兰的文化与历史有着深入的了解。
我们下榻的酒店和民宿都非常舒适,食物也极其美味。豪华的运输车负责把我们从一个地点送到另一个地点;随着我们逐渐靠近海岸,我看到成群的绵羊散布在乡间,康尼马拉小马则安静地在石墙后吃草。
我们还参观了城堡和一座修道院。我们得以深入参观一处私人庄园及其花园。我们骑着可爱的康尼马拉小马,我尤其喜欢上了“大约翰”——真希望能把它装进行李箱带回家。经验丰富的导游带领我们穿行在茂密的森林中,沿着古老的带围墙小径前行,还漫步在沙滩上。我在大西洋中骑马,后来,当马儿们被安全地送回自家马厩后,我也在清澈见底的海水中畅游了一番(虽然时间很短)。这次经历真是终生难忘啊。我们以参加都柏林马展来结束这次旅程!还能有什么比这更棒的呢?
这是我经历过的最难忘的旅行。我真想再去一次。