Hosted Trip: Ventosilla & Ventas Quemadas (Spain)

SPAIN: Ventosilla + Ventas Quemadas

Driven Partridge Shoot, January 11-18, 2025

HOST: MIKE FITZGERALD

FROM YOUR HOST

Embarking on a partridge shooting expedition in Spain is an exhilarating experience that captures the essence of traditional hunting. The rugged landscapes of the Spanish countryside, with its rolling hills, dense thickets, and sprawling farmlands, set the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable adventure. As the first light of dawn breaks over the horizon, the anticipation builds among the hunters.

The thrill begins with the rhythmic fluttering of wings and the sudden appearance of partridges, darting through the sky with remarkable speed and agility. Each bird presents a unique challenge, requiring the hunter to combine skill, precision, and quick reflexes. Each successful shot is celebrated and shared with enthusiasm. The sound of gunfire echoes through the valleys, a testament to the timeless tradition being upheld.

As son of the Frontiers founders, Mike Fitzgerald, Jr. was brought up in our outdoor travel business. Today as President, Mike is quite involved with all sporting and Elegant Journeys programs in sales, marketing, and management. Mike grew up with shotguns, is an avid shooter and loves his bird dogs, and has enjoyed driven shooting personally in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hungary, and multiple times to Spain where he hosts a group annually.

Mike lives with Kristene and their two English cockers, Lakland and Jett in western Pennsylvania – minutes from our Frontiers office.

ABOUT Your Host

Beyond the hunt itself, the Spanish hospitality adds a rich layer to the experience. After a morning in the field, hunters gather for a hearty lunch, often featuring local delicacies and fine Spanish wines. The conversations flow, filled with stories of the day's adventures and plans for future hunts. This blend of challenging sport and cultural immersion creates a deeply satisfying and memorable outing, making partridge shooting in Spain a pursuit that is remarkably rewarding and exhilarating!

Join me for an incredible 4-day driven shoot in January, 2025. It promises to be one of the very best shooting experiences of your lifetime!

Sincerely,

Mike Fitzgerald

What to expect

From world-class shooting to tapas and tempranillos, guests will enjoy the finest driven shooting in Spain at Venstosilla and Ventas Quemadas – two premier estates. It’s a 4-day shoot with two days at each location. The daily bag is 700 partridges to a private Frontiers line of nine guns. We have many years of experience working with these Spanish operators and their field services are the very best. Complementing the shooting, guests will enjoy incredible cuisine, extremely comfortable accommodations, and unmatched hospitality.

Professionally presented driven red-legged partridge in the beautiful countryside of Spain that are incredibly fun and challenging to shoot!

Two days of shooting at Ventosilla, which is located about an hour from Madrid near Toledo. Shooters will then follow with two days at Ventosilla’s sister property, Ventas Quemadas, between Seville and Cordoba in the South of Spain.

Fine quality shotguns and cartridges are included.

A great trip to bring a non-shooting companion. Our Elegant Journeys Team can design a great pre- or post-shoot itinerary extension to include more time in Madrid, Barcelona, -

ventosilla palace

Ventosilla Palace is the epitome of grandeur. Built by the counts of Teba as a hunting lodge, it is as historic and unique as it gets. Home to the first ever driven partridge shoot in Spain which took place in 1884, this really is the historical birthplace of driven partridge shooting.

Your host Antonio Cavero is a good friend of Frontiers, and he and his team will be on hand to assist you throughout the duration of your stay. To say Ventosilla is a well-oiled machine is an understatement, the team hosts numerous days each year and take wonderful care of our clients.

At Ventosilla they have 50 drives that offer a wide selection of shooting from the more hectic Spanish style to the more towering English style of shooting. If your team are experienced guns or relative newcomers, Ventosilla has drives to suit all parties.

The morning is broken down into three drives with a break for the “taco” in between the second and third drives. The drives will start when all the guns are on their pegs. The action will be fast paced and depending on the team, the birds will either be the more typical Spanish style or for those who prefer, they will be higher and more challenging.

The taco is held after the second drive and gives the guests time to relax and enjoy some banter, a snack, and a beverage. The taco typically consists of some cold meats, pickled fish and some Spanish omelets all washed down with a nice glass of Rioja.

Once the morning’s sport has come to an end, the guns either retire to a renovated farmhouse for lunch or they enjoy a tented lunch overlooking one of the local lakes.

The afternoon is typically one or two drives before guests return to the palace for the evening.

Ventas Quemadas

The house of ‘Ventas Quemadas’ was built in 1860, as a casino, on the outskirts of Sevilla. The home estate has been restored with 9 luxury double suites and 9 bathrooms. Guests come to ‘Ventas Quemadas’ in search of having memorable shooting days, and enjoying beautiful scenery, excellent cuisine, a superb wine list, luxurious accommodation, good organization and a friendly family run atmosphere.

The setting of the estate is incomparable for partridge shooting. It is formed by very undulating and abrupt mountains that provide some of the most challenging partridges in Spain. The partridges are flushed off high hills to produce stunning bird flights. The changing terrain and topography enhance the variety and quality of drives. So great is the movement of the landscape and habitat that the range of drives is seemingly unlimited.

ITINERARY

Jan 11, arrive in Madrid.

You will be met by a representative from Ventosilla who will assist you with gun clearance if you are traveling with your own guns. Upon clearing Customs and collecting your luggage you will be met by a driver to transfer you to a Madrid hotel

Frontiers welcomes the opportunity to assist with making your hotel reservations and any pre- or post-travel arrangements. We suggest the Rosewood Villa Magna hotel in Madrid. Long esteemed for hosting discerning travelers, this distinctive hotel has been thoughtfully refurbished to an elevated level of luxury, contemporary style, and modern amenities. Rosewood Villa Magna is an inspired base for international travelers in an incomparable location within the very heart of Madrid.

In preparation of your visit to Ventosilla and Ventas Quemadas, you might like to visit the two most popular hunting stores within Madrid. Helpful if you need any last-minute attire or gear:

Serbal Hunting & Clothes

Juan Bravo 9 (esq. Velazquez) 28006 Madrid

Beretta Madrid Gallery Raimundo Fernàndez de Villaverde 79 28003, Madrid

Balance of day at leisure in Madrid. A group welcome dinner will be arranged for this evening.

Jan 12, Optional Walking tour of madrid. Transfer to ventosilla.

Following breakfast, partake in an optional walking tour. Madrid, Spain, strikes a balance between constant, almost chaotic motion and uncompromising leisure. Madrilenos, as Madrid's residents are called, seem always to be on the go, except when they're taking long breaks to eat, drink and enjoy life. Lunch taken independently.

Later in the afternoon, depart Madrid for the relatively short journey to Ventosilla, which takes you past the historic town of Toledo. Journey time is 70 minutes.

Upon arrival you will be shown to your rooms. Once settled, guests can meet in the main sitting room downstairs where you will be fitted with guns, if required. Dinner will be served in the dining room at 8:00 PM.

ITINERARY

Jan 13, Shooting.

Arise and prepare for your first morning of shooting in Spain. You will enjoy two days of shooting 700 birds per day to a 9-gun line.

Breakfast will be held in the main dining room from 8:30 AM. Guests should be ready to depart the castle at 9:30 AM. Your loaders and secretarios will have your guns and cartridges already in their vehicles. All you will need are your personal effects such as your hearing protection and gloves.

Non-shooters will enjoy a tour of Toledo with lunch. They will join the shooters in the field the following day

Jan 14, Shooting.

The second day starts the same. At the end of the day after the last drive the guests will return to the castle where they can pack up ready for your return journey to Madrid for overnight at The Villa Magna.

Jan 15, Transfers + Private Tour.

Following breakfast, check out. Depart Madrid via high-speed train to Cordoba, 1 hour, 50 minutes. The party will be met on arrival and transferred to a fine restaurant for lunch.

Following lunch, the group will have a private tour of the Mezquita-Catedral. The Great Mosque of Córdoba is one of the oldest structures still standing from the time Muslims ruled Al-Andalus. Following the tour, transfer to the shooting estate.

ITINERARY

Jan 16-17, Shooting at Quemadas.

Two days of shooting 700 birds to a 9-gun line. The shooting schedule and routine is very similar to Ventosilla.

Non-shooters will enjoy a full day tour in Seville with lunch. The other day will be in the field with the shooters.

Jan 17-18, Return.

Following the shoot, return to Seville for evening flights, trains or hotel overnight in the Alfonso XIII Hotel.

Estimated Costs

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF THE SHOOTING ARRANGEMENTS : $23,764.00 per gun*. Package is 4-days of shooting driven red-legged partridge with 9-guns in the line shooting a total of 700 birds per day.

INCLUSIONS:

• Full board and lodging with a non-shooting companion per hunter during two nights in ventosilla castle; two nights at ventas quemadas.

4-Days of shooting.

• Guide to meet you at the airport and help you through customs with your guns.

• All transportation to/from the estates.

• The organization of the shoot with all field services.

• Cartridges on site.

• Hunting licenses and compulsory hunting liability insurance.

• All meals and beverage included.

• Internet and laundry service included.

• Taco (picnic) in the countryside during the shoots.

• Guns loan side by side and over and under, gauge 12 and 20-ga.

• Transfer to and from shooting area with 4x4 wheel vehicles and full guide service.

• Gun and boot cleaning.

• All taxes and fees, including spain’s 21% vat.

NOT INCLUDED :

• Airline transportation – Frontiers welcomes the opportunity to book your tickets.

• Hotel arrangements and ground transfers as outlined in Madrid, Cordoba, and Seville.

• Non-shooting tours in Madrid, Cordoba, and Seville.

• Train ticket from Madrid to Cordoba/ Seville.

• Gratuities at hunting estates (approx. €200 per shooting day)

• Lunches and dinner when away from the shooting estates.

Note: Hotels, transfers, touring, and meals away from the estate will be quoted individually.

*All costs outlined are subject to change with fluctuation in rate of exchange.

accommodations (if needed). For more information about this hosted departure, please contact: