Transylvania, one of the most unspoiled regions in Europe, is situated in the southeastern corner of the Carpathian basin in Romania.
The populations of wolves, brown bears, lynx, roebuck and boar are said to be the greatest in what remains of the European wild.
Starting around the 12th century (under an ancient agreement with Romania’s Hungarian conquerors) the Saxons built a series of ‘Seven-cities’ or Siebenbürgen, what amounts to fortified ‘islands’ protecting their homes, farms and churches from everyone from the Mongols to the Ottomans.
The Saxons largely fled Romania after the collapse of the Ceausescu regime leaving everything behind them. It is a delicate business, but the villages are gradually being restored and the old houses are being renovated according to the traditional building techniques. Owing largely to the old farming practices, Transylvania also preserves an ancient and man-made biosphere that sustains cultivation and managed wilderness in rare harmony. Horses still plow the fields, pull hay carts and the food is still grown in small traditional farms.
Thanks to unfenced and uninterrupted miles of pasture and ancient woodland the riding in Romania is superb.You will be able to experience traditional village life and be introduced to the folklore, culture and hospitality of the region. You will have the opportunity to visit impressive fortified churches guided by the traditional ‘key-keeper’, spend time with artisans, including farriers and charcoal makers and on occasion meet with farmers and shepherds along the way as they go about their daily work. We spend five days riding out from Villa Abbatis Equestrian Center, located in Apos, an old Saxon village and we spend one night in the village of Veseud. The horses are a mix of well-trained Lippizaner and sport horses. The pace of riding is dictated by the group. There are many opportunities for trotting and cantering in this environment.
Please note: The outfitter retains the right to change the itinerary or sequence of the ride according the weather conditions and any unforeseen circumstance
Departure & Return Location
Sibiu, Romania
Date and Rates
€ 1850 based on double occupancy
Maximum 6 riders
Price Includes
- Full room and board at the Equestrian Center and Veseud
- 5 days riding and guiding
- Cultural excursions as noted in the intinerary)
- Drinks (alcohol within reason)
- Transfers to and from Sibiu ( any other transfer is extra)
- Live music on the last evening
Price Excludes
- All flights
- Transfers except Sibui
- Any Private Expenses
- Tips
The traditional stables and your home for the week is nestled in a traditional Saxon village. It’s all very cosy and personalized and before long you will feel like a member of the extended family.
Traveling on horseback to various Saxon villages you will experience a region formerly known as Siebenbürgen, a series of ‘Seven-cities’ built by the Saxons, fortified ‘islands’ protecting the homes, farms and churches from everyone from the Mongols to the Ottomans.
Your guides who were born and raised here, are very invested in this region and besides being excellent horse-people will introduce you to all the wonders: the history, the people, the folkloric traditions, music and lifestyle of the region. Hearty. organic home-cooked meals are also the order of the day.
Depending in the season you will have the hayfields exploding in bloom in the spring and early summer or the atmosphere of the fall when the beech and oak trees are ablaze with color and mushrooms abound and the land is preparing for the winter ahead. Siebenburgen is one of the most authentic and unspoiled corners of Europe.
We spend six days riding out from the horse centre located in Apos and we spend one night in the village of Veseud. The horses are a mix of beautifully kept, well-trained Lippizaners, and sport horses and are ridden in high quality English tack. There are many opportunities for trotting and cantering in this environment but you can also dictate your pace.
- Experience one of the last remaining wild regions of Europe
- Travel back in time visiting beautiful Saxon villages and learn about the way of life in rural Romania
- Ride beautifully trained sport horses in this wild and fenceless terrain
- in spring enjoy the flowing hayfields for which the region is famous and in the autumn enjoy the colors of the changing foliage
- Learn about the traditions and the culture of htis fascinating environment
- Visit fortified churches and gain an understanding of the architecture and craftsmanship particular to the area
- when not riding, go on long hikes around the horse centre or learn how to drive horses with the local farmer
Day 1 Arrive in Sibui, Romania
Fly (or take the train) to Sibiu, Romania. Transfer to the Villa Abbatis Equestrian center in Apos where we have dinner and hear about the week ahead. Villa Abbatis Equestrian Center, is located in Apos, an old Saxon village 55 km away from Sibiu.
Day 2 Ride to Reichesdorf
After breakfast we aquaint ourselves with our horses and then ride along the medieval merchant’s wine trials towards Richis (Reichesdorf). This was the wealthiest medieval village in the area, due to its famous wineries. We will be given a tour of the very impressive fortified church after which we will enjoy a lunch with a local family. The landscape with its wide, sweeping valleys, rolling hills and peaks will give us the opportunity to ride through a variety of terrain. We return to Apos and after a tasting of local wines, we settle down for dinner. Overnight in Apos. (5 – 6 hours riding)
Day 3 Ride to Copsa Mare
On this day please pack an overnight bag that will be brought to the guest house with the van. After breakfast set off on the horses for 2.5-3 hour ride to Copsa Mare a particularly charming location owned and renovated by the Bassetti family. Lunch and visit by car to the town of Sighisoara that is the only inhabited medieval fortress in South-East Europe. Dinner and accommodation in CopsaMare Guestshouses.
Approx 2.5-3 hours in the saddle
Day 4 Ride to Malancrav
After breakfast set off on the horses for Malancrav a trail with particular beautiful scenery and have lunch at the Apafi Manor, King Charles’s original home in Transylvania. After lunch we ride back to Apos. Dinner and overnight in Apos. (6 hours riding)
Day 5 Ride to Alma Vii
After breakfast set off on the horses for a beautiful ride to Alma Vii small isolated village where you will have lunch in a beautifully restored Gite style farm complex. After lunch we ride back to Apos for the night. ( 6 hours ride)
Day 6 Ride to Probstdorf
After breakfast we will head towards Stejerisu (Probstdorf) village and visit the well-preserved church, where one of the last remaining members of the Saxon community will welcome us to a palinca (schnaps) and a speck up in the church tower and share some stories about life in this village. Lunch is prepared by another remaining Saxon resident who prides herself in only using old family recipes. After lunch we ride back to Apos . Farewell dinner and overnight in Apos. (5 – 6 hours riding)
Day 7 Departure
After breakfast we walk to visit the traditional blacksmith place that is functional again after 30 years. We will also visit the traditional Kiln in Apos that was inaugurated by King Charles in 2015. Transfer to Sibiu for lunch and after to the airport for departure flights.
