La Sofia Polo
More than one of our guests has referred to LA SOFIA as “Little Paradise”. With reason: it is a peaceful place, surrounded by open farmland in the heart of the Argentine Pampas, but just one hour from Buenos Aires. Founded and run by the owners themselves who, together with an attentive friendly team, will make you feel completely at home. The six “en suite” bedrooms are exquisitely decorated and the food, served out on the terrace or around the communal dining table, is delicious, combining traditional argentine and international cuisine. The club has 2 polofields, both with a sophisticated irrigation system. This guarantees first-class field conditions. What this means? There is always Polo at LA SOFIA all the year round …no heat wave or drying period will stand in your way… there is always Polo to watch or to participate in, for those of you who would like to try some stick&ball and learn to play this fascinating sport. At LA SOFIA, all necessary polo gear will be provided: helmet, whip, polo sticks, etc. So all you have to bring are your riding boots, and you´re all set!
Estancia La Sofia offers rides out in the argentine Pampa, Polo clinics for everyone from complete beginners to advanced players needing some private coaching with Marcos Antin (Professional polo player and experienced instructor). All necessary equipment is provided.
Spanish colonial elegance, refinement and traditional-style accommodation are the hallmarks of LA SOFIA. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, the place set in the middle of peaceful countryside, far away from highways and any noise.
There are lots of horses for all levels of play available. No excuse, therefore, for not getting onto a horse and enjoy a few rounds of polo!
POLO CLINICS For those who always wanted to try Polo or have just now got the urge, we offer your first POLO EXPERIENCE along with polo tuition for newcomers to the programme. Classes are held by Marcos Antin (Professional polo player and experienced instructor). All necessary equipment is provided.
INTENSIVE Polo programmes for beginners and advanced players. For those of you who want to start up the game or those who wish to take polo to the next step, we recommend one of the intensive polo weeks.
THE POLO DAY
After a good breakfast, the morning is generally spent practising “stick & ball”. Upon demand, you may also have riding and polo classes, either practicing on the horse on the green field, on the sand track, or sitting down reviewing the theory.
In the afternoon, we play games of 4 to 6 chukkas.
For those who are interested, we offer POLO TOURS in the area. During these, you will have the opportunity to play in numerous other clubs in the surrounding area. This way, you will observe and be exposed to other polo clubs and play against different teams with different levels of play, The tours are always great fun!
A typical day at the Estancia. Eat a real argentine Asado (open barbeque), surrounded by open farmland in a traditional atmosphere. Accompanied by excellent Argentine wines from La Sofia’s private cellar, and followed by delicious home made desserts, your Asado marries historic customs and modern comfort. After lunch, rest by the swimming pool or in the shade of the trees in the park. Towels are provided and there is bar service available in the pool house. Naturally, there are a variety of horses for riding around the estancia or out in the surrounding countryside. For afternoon tea La Sofia lays out a magnificent sweet and savoury spread, with tea, coffee, cold drinks and a variety of homemade cakes, pastries, sandwiches and snacks.
Riding in the Argentine Pampa with half- and full day excursions on HORSEBACK. These are individual programmes tailored to the wishes of the guests, with picnic (breakfast or afternoon tea) and/or lunch (asado) on the way. You will ride across open farmland and through typical villages of the area, with their traditional churches and old train stations. NON-riders: you can accompany the excursion comfortably on the horse-drawn carriage.
Accomodation and facilities
Full board (four daily meals) , 5 “en suite” bedrooms, Swimming pool, deck and pool bar, Dining and Living room with lovely open fireplace (roaring and welcoming from dawn to late, in Winter), Terrace and balcony with outstanding views overlooking the polo fields, Library, TV, Internet WIFI, massages.
Riding and Polo
1st class horses of private personal breeding, 2 Polo fields with sophisticated irrigation system, a sand track for you to improve your riding abilities and polish your style. Horse riding and excursions on horseback, Riding classes, Polo tution and Polo exhibition matches.
Activities
Promenades in old horse-drawn carriages, boules, croquet - all at the Estancia.
Golf and tenis – there is a golf course and tennis courts just 15 minutes away
Visits to Buenos Aires can be arranged - just one hour´s drive (103 Km) for shopping or cultural tours or spend a nice afternoon shopping or visiting the museums and cafes at the nearby San Antonio de Areco – the most traditional place in Argentina with its renowned museums and traditional arts and crafts (silversmiths, leather goods, musicians, painters, etc). Also, just a few kilometres from the Estancia is a charming small little town named San Andres de Giles. Pilar is also a nice destination for shopping.
A personal view from one of our clients:
In Argentina horses and polo are embedded in the history and culture of the country and seem to be a natural part of everyones lives. Against the backdrop of wide open blue skies in the pampas these holidays offer close encounters with the real “world of the gaucho”, where polo is a way of life that spans all ages and social groups and underpins the rural economy. This is a refreshing contrast to the elitist image that it has in european countries.
A stay in an estancia offers a close up view of this life and the opportunity to either hone your skills if you are a polo player or try out a whole new riding experience if not. Many of these properties are family homes with a long history which owners are proud to relate over long sociable evening meals. Whilst staying in small privately owned estancias provides a very authentic experience of polo, the level of hospitality and standard of comfort provided makes it restful and relaxing at the same time. These places are intimate and friendly as they are family homes, but you are provided with the surroundings and hospitality to make you feel properly looked after and pampered.
All levels of riding ability are catered for and in many places there is the opportunity to take gentle rides out in the pampas gaucho style (horses always abreast rather than in line!) as well as to take polo instruction. However once you have stood in the stirrups, turned with arm out stretched and swung the stick through making contact with the ball you can be hooked on this game, and charging up and down the pitch with a few other friends and fellow enthusiasts is all you will want to do. It is great fun and the horses are amazingly talented and patient with learners so it really is possible to have a go even for a relatively inexperienced rider. A great way to have a relaxing holiday, explore an exciting and beautiful country, spend some time doing an exhilarating and fun activity and return home with a new skill.
Prices are per person and based on full board accommodation sharing a room. Single supplements apply. Transfers from Buenos Aires are not included, but we can arrange these. Flights are not included. Polo and riding packages are listed below.
1. Accomodation with full board and activities
1.2. Riding clases for beginners and advanced
1.3. Polo clases for beginners and advanced (stick&ball)
2. Intensive Polo tution for beginners and advanced
2.1. Full day polo tution with training on the horse, theory and playing a game
2.2. Special beginners programme for 5 days and 4 nights
2.3. Special programme for beginners and advanced for 7 days y 6 nights
2.4. Special programme for beginners and advanced for 7 days y 6 nights with playing a 3 days polo cup
3. Excursions on horseback
3.1. Half day excursion on horseback with picnic
3.2. Full day excursión on horseback with picnic and “gaucho” barbecue
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1.1 Experience the Argentine Pampa – accomodation with full board and activities, price per person, per night:
in a Standard Room with bathroom: $140 USD or £86 (double use) $182 USD or £110 (single use)
in a Superior Category room, Double use: $170 USD or £105 Single use 221 USD or £135
(Superior room: 40m2, with fireplace, private bathroom “en suite”, private access to one of the terraces) family suite for 4 to 7 people available.
RATES INCLUDE:
· Accomodation in comfortable double rooms. Check-in 11:30hs. a.m. and Check-Out 10:30hs. a.m.
· Full board: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
· Non-alcoholic drinks and wine / beer druing meals (1 bottle per person, per day)
· Activities: horseriding, promenades in old horse drawn carriage, swimming pool, boules, crochet.
RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:
· Polo (classes or playing games)
· Riding clases
· Tennis or Golf (at 14 kms)
· Massage
· Sightseeing and shopping visits to San Antonio de Areco , Lujan and Buenos Aires.
· Drinks not consumed during meals
1.2. Individual Riding clases for beginners and advanced:
Held by the owner of the estancia and in the spcecially-prepared sand track (duration approx. 45min): £25 or $40
1.3. Individual Polo class for beginners (stick & ball):
Given by the ownwer of La Sofia, (prof. Polo player, duration approx. 60min): £75 or 121 USD
POLO COURSES
2. Intensive Polo tuition for beginners and advanced riders, per person.
LOW SEASON 01/10 al 15/11 y 16/12 al 30/04)
HIGH SEASON (16/11 al 15/12)
2.1. Full day polo tution for beginners and advanced with polo clases (on the horse and theory) plus playing games (4 chukkers) including accomodation and full board
Rate per day & person, with polo course, accommodation and full board:
£288 or $468 USD low season
£309 or $500 USD high season
Singles room: £346 or $562 low season, £363 or $600 high season
2.2. Special beginners semi-intensive programme for beginners, programme for 5 days and 4 nights*
£835 or $1376 USD low season
£826 or $1360USD high season
Singles room: £986 or $1627 low season, £1172 or $1934 high season
2.3. Special FULL DAY programme for beginners and advanced for 7 days and 6 nights*
£1623 or $2679 USD low season
£1842 or $3040 USD high season
Singles room: £1973 or $3256 low season, £2182 or $3601 high season
2.4. Special FULL DAY programme for beginners and advanced for 7 days and 6 nights with playing a 3 DAYS POLO CUP*
£1928 or $3179 USD low season
£2209 or $3.645 USD high season
Singles room: £2276 or $3756 low season, £2549 or $4206 high season
The rates include:
· Accomodation in comfortable double rooms.
· Full board: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
· Free drinks during the entire stay.
· Please see above for a detailed programme description.
· Certificate of participation and a polo gift.
· Use of First class Polo pony of personal private breed (trained by the owner of La Sofia).
· All necessary equipment for horses and rider: polo helmet, malets, whip and chaps.
Other available activities: horseriding, horse cariage rides, swimming pool.
Rates do not include:
· Personal equipment like riding clothes and boots.
· Any entry fee to high goal matches at other Poloclubs.
3. Excursions on horseback (Hacks) prices per person (min 2 people required)
3.1. Half day excursion on horseback with picnic £13 or $20 USD
3.2. Full day excursion on horseback with picnic and “gaucho” barbecue £25 or $40 USD
TRANSFER to La Sofia (from Buenos Aires city and its airports)
Transfer service by private car, up to 3 people per car
- From B.A. CITY or any airport to La Sofia (1h15): £32 or $50 USD each car (not per person) per way. Price is paid to the driver directly.
Children:
- until 2 years of age: free; there are baby cots available with no extra charge.
- from 3 to 9 years: 25% discount on mentioned rates if the kid sleeps together with the parents in the same room (please note that only the Superior category rooms are big enough to add extra beds);
- 10 years PLUS: rates the same as adults.
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Minimum/maximum age: 7 years old to 70 !
Getting there:
Fly to Buenos Aires (www.travelocity.com for flight information and best deals) then we will organise a private transfer to take you down to the Estancia. Flights are not included.
TRANSFER to La Sofia (from Buenos Aires city and its airports) by private car, up to 3 people per car
- From B.A. CITY or any airport to La Sofia (1h15): £32 or $50 USD each car (not per person) per way. Price is paid to the driver directly.
Best time to visit:
Anytime ! La Sofia is open all year and particularly welcomes riders new to polo during the winter months (June to August) when it is lovely and sunny during the day (shirt-sleeves) but cool in the evenings. During the polo season, November, December and January, things are busy on the tournament calender and polo takes place early morning and at sunset so that you can rest with a siesta or lie by the pool during the heat of the day.
What to bring:
For hacking and for polo you only need to bring a pair of riding boots. Everything else will be provided.
Sight-seeing extensions
Why not combine a polo course with a few days in the capital or a few days touring to other parts of Argentina. We can organise this for you, whether you would like to visit Salto or another region, visit the famous Iguassu waterfalls, or visit Patagonia and the south. You could also combine a polo course with riding in another part of Argentina and participate in an 'Estancia to Estancia' ride.
VERY IMPORTANT and to be taken into account for any Polo programmes:
- Please note that LA SOFIA is not obliged to refund any amounts for eventual reductions in the scheduled polo training programme due to “last minute changes” or individual fitness (lack of fitness).
-Certain weather conditions (heavy rain) might delay or shorten a training programme (worst case!). La Sofia cannot take any responsibilities for such weather conditions and is not obliged for any refunds due to extraordinary weather conditions.
At La Sofia we always will do our best to fullfill a scheduled programme.
-Any guest training at La Sofia is asked to become a temporary member of La Sofia Polo Club and the AAP (Argentinian Polo Association) which includes an insurance for eventual accidents (fee of US$ 100, or about £60 paid directly on arrival).
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to Argentina at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
Consumer protection
As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), an Association approved by the Department of Trade and Industry, this company has provided a Bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. These regulations apply to packages sold in the UK and this Bond provides security for the money paid over by its UK customers and for their repatriation to the UK in the event of this company's insolvency.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
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Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
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