I am looking to find a good location for my honeymoon next June. We are both active and are keen horse riders and enjoy good food and wine! We would like a couple of days in a vibrant city but would like to focus on a luxury ranch for the main part of the trip.
Answer
South America is certainly the continent to enjoy horse riding and there is a particular property you may want to consider in Brazil that you could combine with a visit to Rio de Janeiro. Laranjal Guest Ranch and Equestrian Centre is run by an American-Brazilian family and located in a gorgeous part of Paraná State, away from the beaten tourist path in Brazil.
It is a working ranch and coffee farm where they breed Brahman cattle, horses, sheep and goat. There are just four bedrooms for guests in the main house which is spacious with lots of lovely communal areas for reading and relaxing. Meal times are a sociable and laid-back affair. Guests all eat together around a main dining table. The main reason for coming here, apart from to get away from it all is the riding of course. We are assured that the lodge caters for all standards, from complete novice to experts.
As well as riding guests can enjoy fishing, swimming or kayaking in Paranapanema River. It is located between Iguaçu and the Pantanal so you can combine it with other regions in Brazil too for a more varied itinerary. It is very remote however but if you like riding and don’t mind travelling to reach the lodge it is a great option.
Outside of Brazil you may want to consider Argentina which is very well known for having a number of good estancias and probably one of the most exciting countries for horse riding. Argentina in June however won’t be hot but if you are happy with mild temperatures you could combine a stay on an estancia with a visit to Buenos Aires and you will without doubt be able to sample some delicious food and wine.
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