4 Generally a ranch holiday can help you to bond with the family, forget about the stresses of every-day life and give you something exciting to do, all at the same time. Indeed, ever since the Wild West was tamed, a highly profitable industry has pandered to the “cowboy” in all of us! Dude ranches date back to the late 19th century when visiting “gentle folk” from the civilised eastern states were able to get a controlled bite at the cowboy lifestyle – a formula which went from strength to strength leading to the vibrant and diverse offerings to be found all over North America today. When planning it is worth considering how close to the real thing you want to get! There are certainly a lot of options but the three main categories are: Cowboy Country If you like your open spaces then a ranch holiday may be just what you are looking for. With wide open plains, fresh, crisp mountain air and plenty of open space for miles around, the central and western states of USA and Canada offer a myriad of choices and dramatic backdrops for a very different kind of holiday experience. Guest Ranch Resort Ranch Working Ranch These are usually larger ranches which have been specially developed with holidaymakers inmind. They tend to offer more luxurious standards of accommodation, more facilities and a wider range of activities, whichmight include golf, swimming, tennis or a beauty spa. These are great for family groups and will happily teach complete novices to ride. These specialise in welcoming guests onto a traditional ‘dude’ ranch. They are usually smaller and more intimate than resort ranches, often hosted by the owners themselves. You’ll find them friendly, inclusive and fun, with flexible programmes for riding to suit your skill. These are the real thing! As the name implies, these are working ranches which still drive cattle and lead the real cowboy life. You may be expected to muck in with whatever the wranglers need to do – but rest assured, there’ll be plenty of time in the saddle and you’ll probably pick up other skills along the way. Working ranches are usually more suitable for experienced riders but do offer a range of other recreational activities. Ranch holidays in North America
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