Each of these departures is designed around one of Europe’s biggest equestrian events: CHIO Rotterdam (show jumping and dressage, June 20-21), Military Boekelo (3-day eventing, October 3-4) and the World Equestrian Games at Aachen (dressage and eventing on August 15-16, show jumping on August 20-21). If you have any interest in these sports, or simply an appreciation for top-level horse and human athleticism, you will LOVE watching the cream of the crop compete at these events! Then there’s the shopping – an attraction in its own right – and the special experiences your hosts have lined up for you (we’ll keep a few secrets to be revealed on the day!). Tickets to these events are included.

CHIO Rotterdam: a major equestrian event comprising the FEI Nations Cup show jumping series, the Rotterdam show jumping Grand Prix, and the FEI Nations Cup dressage. Needless to say, it attracts elite riders and teams from around the world.

Military Boekelo: a 3-day eventing competition held in the beautiful Dutch countryside, featuring a CCI4*-L class. It’s known for its challenging cross-country course, lively end-of-season atmosphere, and its status as one of Europe’s premier autumn eventing fixtures.

WEG Aachen: the 2026 World Equestrian Games will be hosted at Aachen, Germany’s top equestrian venue. The Games are arguably the biggest horse event in the world, and include the World Championships for eight different disciplines. Your two days at the WEG will include either dressage and eventing (cross-country action), or show jumping.

The Rotterdam and Boekelo departures see you attend these events after four days of riding. On the Aachen departures, the World Equestrian Games occur on different days of the itinerary, so please bear in mind that the order of events will differ from the below.

Welcome to the Netherlands, globetrotters, and the start of your week-long foray into Europe’s elite equestrian world! Today, one of your hosts will collect you from either Amsterdam Schiphol Airport or Amsterdam Central Train Station and transfer you to your accommodation north of the city. Here you’ll meet your guides and fellow guests and have time to settle in, take a stroll through the dunes to the beach, dip into the swimming pool or enjoy the spa.

Over a delicious three-course welcome dinner, your guides will brief you on the week’s itinerary and the history and quirks of Dutch equestrian culture. Finally, you’ll retire to your comfortable private room for a good night’s sleep.

After a full buffet breakfast, you will visit a local stable, where horses will be saddled and waiting to show you the surrounding forest and dunes. Your first glimpse of the countryside outside of the plane, car and hotel windows, this scenic ride is a great chance to learn more about the flora, fauna, history and culture of The Netherlands.

Afterwards, you will freshen up back at the hotel, then have lunch either at a traditional Dutch farmhouse or at an equestrian venue, with regional specialties guaranteed.

In the afternoon, you will take a short drive to a prestigious Dutch breeding facility. This could be a Dutch Warmblood stud where the breed standards will be explained by members of the KWPN stallion selection committee while eligible stallions strut their stuff, or it could be a Friesian stud where you can meet and greet these big, beautiful horses. Either way, it’s an amazing glimpse into an elite equestrian centre!

A three-course dinner will be served once again, at either the hotel or a nearby restaurant.

Today you’ll mount up for another delightful ride along the local trails, and possibly even on the beach! Then, staying on the coast, you’ll have a relaxed lunch at a nearby beach club.

Later on, the Dutch culture ramps up a notch with a visit to the famous Dutch Windmills. Your hosts are experts when it comes to all things Dutch, so they will regale you with plenty of folk tales and history along the way.

The fun doesn’t stop at dinner tonight – afterwards, you’ll meet ‘Joker’, the riding simulation horse, and learn all about your saddle seat and posture from knowledgeable coaches. It’s a remarkably insightful experience!

This morning you will explore a totally different region of The Netherlands on horseback: the Veluwe, a ridge of rolling hills encompassing woodland, heath, lakes and sand drifts. Ancient forests make up the majority, and your guides will tell you a bit about the region’s geological and human history during the ride.

After lunch at a relaxed local restaurant, your guides will take you to visit a World Cup rider’s equestrian facility for a behind-the-scenes look at elite-level training. The stables are an attraction in their own right, but watching these top-level riders school their magnificent horses or coach up-and-coming stars is a real privilege.

In the evening, you will have dinner at a quintessential Dutch restaurant, then tumble into bed and rest up for another big day.

Another beautiful long ride in the Veluwe forest is on the cards this morning, with new trails and scenery to discover.

Then, after lunch, you will visit a beautiful stable boasting 25 Friesians, where you can learn all about the breed, take a carriage ride along the nearby forest trails, and take the reins to learn the art of driving!

Woohoo, it’s competition day at last! Whether you’re headed to CHIO Rotterdam, Military Boekelo or the World Equestrian Games at Aachen, this is a day you will never forget! You can walk around the course and arenas, watch your favourite horses and riders in action, stake out the bar and catch all the gossip, shop ‘til you drop… these are some of the biggest events in the equestrian calendar and there is ALL sorts of fun to be had!

Meals are included, but be sure to bring cash or card to buy souvenirs or quality riding gear – there will be some excellent bargains.

Depending on your departure, dinner may be at the event or back at your hotel, served with wine or beer to toast to your good fortune at witnessing all the action up close and personal.

Competition day two brings more incredible performances, drool-worthy horses, shopping opportunities and celebrations, with a surprise or two courtesy of your well-connected hosts. Soak up the atmosphere, globetrotters – it’s electric! Meals are once again included.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll farewell your newfound Dutch friends and be transferred back to Amsterdam for your onward travels, feeling inspired and invigorated by all that you’ve seen.

Transfers throughout the itinerary are included in the ride price. The minivans are stocked with drinks, fruit and snacks.

On day 1, your hosts will collect you from either Amsterdam Schiphol Airport or Amsterdam Central Train Station. Please ensure you arrive before 4pm.

On day 8, you will be returned to either Amsterdam Central Train Station or Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in time for flights departing after 2pm.

Your hosts, Sarah and Eva, excel in creating tailored itineraries and running delightful tours of their homeland. If you wish to spend a little longer exploring The Netherlands before or after your Globetrotting ride, Sarah and Eva can help with planning, booking, logistics and even guiding. Some attractions (such as the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum) must be booked many months in advance, so we recommend planning ahead.