This ride takes place in Sary Chelek Reserve in the Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Translated as ‘golden hollow’, Sary Chelek is considered a charmed land, and a destination that even the Kyrgyz dream of visiting.

Nestled in the western Tien Shan Mountains, this magnificent nature reserve is home to seven mountain lakes, meadows of the most exquisite wildflowers and the largest walnut forest in the world. It is also home to the most wonderful people – nomadic Kyrgyz shepherds and their families who spend the winters in picturesque villages and the summers in yurts high up in the alpine pastures or jailoo. There is no more restful holiday; time spent doing something so invigorating and disconnected from the stresses of the modern world is invaluable – this slice of simplicity and proximity to nature is restoration for the soul.

Riders need to be comfortable walking, trotting and cantering but the horses, bred for the mountains, are impeccably behaved and the group is accompanied by up to seven guides on horseback so an advanced level is not required.

Join Alexandra, a relative of Leo Tolstoy, on a tour to the writer’s city and country homes, inspiration for many scenes in both ‘War and Peace’ and ‘Anna Karenina’. The trip takes in the principal sights of Moscow. 

Moscow is a huge, sprawling city, difficult to grasp in a weekend, so using one of Russia’s greatest writers as the prism through which to explore is also the ideal way to visit. Tolstoy spent twenty-two winters living and writing in his city home but to completely understand him, and Russian history, this tour also includes his country estate, Yasnaya Polyana. The houses, preserved as museums, are today exactly as they were in his life time and truly imbibed with his spirit. Moscow, perhaps contrary to expectations, is nowadays one of the world’s most glamorous and vibrant cities, boasting a young, energetic population. As well as being a great cultural and historical centre, the city has a very sophisticated restaurant scene, some of which will be explored on the trip!

Moscow, perhaps contrary to expectations, is nowadays one of the world’s most glamorous and vibrant cities, boasting a young, energetic population. As well as being a great cultural and historical centre, the city has a very sophisticated restaurant scene, some of which will be explored on the trip from the comfort of the historic National Hotel, situated opposite Red Square.

St Petersburg presents an intriguing contrast to Moscow, with its more uniform architectural style and magical atmosphere, focussed on the arts. Based in the Astoria Hotel, built for the tercentenary celebrations of the Romanov dynasty, we visit some of the three million works of art in the Hermitage Museum, as well as the romantic summer palaces outside the city, and of course attend a performance at the Mariinsky Theatre.