Riding Holidays in Transylvania-equestrian tourism in the land of Dracula
Winter Holidays
Stefan cel Mare offers a one-week programme that allows visitors to enjoy the beauty of the snowy Transylvanian landscape and see the unique sight of Romanian horses working in the snow. Based in the village of Lunca Ilvei, day rides and sleigh journeys are tailored to the daily weather and temperature. Rides are shorter than in the summer since temperatures will be low (between -5 and -25 degrees Celsius). Warm winter clothing is needed for outdoor activities. A shorter programme, such as a weekend break, can also be arranged on request.
• Day 1 (Sunday)—Arrive at Lunca Ilvei in the afternoon, where your hosts will welcome you and you will enjoy a hearty dinner, followed by a night’s rest in our guesthouse.
• Day 2 (Monday)—In the morning, we visit the local market, which the people of the area travel to by horse cart or sleigh. In the afternoon, we ride in the snow in forests near the equestrian centre. Riding time: 3 hours.
• Day 3 (Tuesday)—We make a day ride, going up onto the high summer pastures, now white and wintry, to see a view across the snowy Transylvanian mountains. Riding time: 4 hours.
• Day 4 (Wednesday)—We make a trip by horse-drawn sleigh, going out into the forest where we stop for lunch in a clearing, perhaps around a warming fire. Guests may travel in the sleigh or accompany on horseback. Riding time: 4 hours.
• Day 5 (Thursday)—Today we experience the unique and fascinating sight of working horses when we go out with a pair to collect hay from the hillside meadows or timber from the forest. Guests may ride on the sleigh that collects hay or timber or accompany on horseback. Riding time: 4 hours.
• Day 6 (Friday)—We make another day ride through the mountains and forests, seeing wild animal tracks (which may include wolves, bears, and lynx) and returning on a forest road where we may be able to canter and gallop since the horses have special winter ice shoes. Riding time: 4 hours.
• Day 7 (Saturday)—Depart after breakfast.
