The Best of Transylvania

Day 1 - Arrival to Bucharest

Arrive to Bucharest airport ready at about 2 PM for a 3 hour transfer to the equestrian center located in the
verdant countryside in Sinca Noua. As you enjoy a welcome aperitif you’ll settle in for a gourmet dinner in the
dining room after which you’ll have a short introduction to the riding portion of your week.

Day 2 - Stramba Valley

After a full breakfast with an assortment of produce grown onsite, as well as homemade breads, butter, yogurt
and meats, you’ll head out on your ride which is about 3.5 hours and a nice chance to get to know your horse
while experiencing this incredible countryside.

The ride takes you along the Stramba Ridge through old oak forests with a good chance to see tracks of
wildlife or the actual wildlife itself !
We return back to the centre for a relaxing lunch al fresco. In the afternoon, we will have an extensive guided
tour through the farm, the vegetable and herb garden and a chance to meet all the animals that also reside
there. After the tour, you will then go up to Magurice Hill in a horse drawn cart for a sun-downer after which
you’ll have another evening of fine dining back at the centre.

Day 3 - Hills and Forests – Traditional Countryside

After another wonderful homemade breakfast, you’ll mount up for a 2-3 hour ride through the varied hills and
forests of this lush area. The countryside is home to quaint villagers but almost every area of Transylvania has
its own unique history as the country was conquered by the Romans, the Hapsburgs, was part of Hungary and
many other, more ancient groups of people – that’s what makes it so interesting.
After lunch, we will transfer by car to Piatra Craiului National Park – be sure to wear comfortable shoes,
appropriate for an easy hike along the incredible Zarnesti Gorge – and bring your camera!
When we return to the centre in the late afternoon, any that are interested can join us in the forest as we sit in
a blind that often offers excellent chances to observe wild brown bear.

Day 4 - Guided visit of Sighisoara, Viscri

After breakfast, we head out on a non mounted adventure for today - to experience the true history of
Transylvania. We drive for about 2 hours, heading north, until we reach the medieval town of Sighisoara, one
of the cultural centers of the Transylvanian Saxons. The citadel of Sighisoara is today the only inhabited citadel
in Europe.
In the afternoon, we continue to the village of Viscri with its famous fortified church (UNESCO World Heritage
Site) dating back from the times of the invasion of theTurks. Even the drive will recreate the feel as the last 10
km of our drive are not on pavement. The village of Viscri, a settlement of the German minority, was founded
900 years ago. By 1990, most of the villagers have left to go back to Germany, but a small number of people
stayed to continue their traditional life, which is remarkable to see firsthand, especially in this remote place.
On the way back we stop at an old fortified church in a medieval village for an excellent and well earned
gourmet dinner.

Day 5 - Halmeag – Cobor

Back in our riding clothes, today we head out for a fun ride of about 4-5 hours. It begins by you getting
transferred to the village of Halmeag, where the horses are already waiting for us. For the next two days we
will spend the time here in the Transylvanian tableland, This truly Europe’s best riding country over the hills
and through the forests of the surrounding area.
In the afternoon, we will arrive at the village of Cobor, where Foundation Conservation Carpathia runs an
organic 500 hectare “biodiversity farm” with horses, cattle, and free-ranging pigs. Some of the abandoned
village houses have been beautifully restored and serve now as guesthouses.
It’s a welcome place to relax and have a gourmet dinner here for the evening.

Day 6 - Cobor

Today’s ride will run about 3 hours, or a bit longer and we have a good amount of ground to cover. We begin
the day with a visit of the farm with its unique concept and tour of the pastures and livestock. It’s a great
introduction to the area. As we go along, you will also see rich birdlife and rare flowers.
After lunch at the guesthouse, our ride takes us on grassy trails, over the meadows and hills around the scenic
village of Cobor before returning for an excellent meal.

Day 7 - Cobor – Halmeag

We mount up right after breakfast for your last ride in the gorgeous country. You’ll have good long canters
through ancient Oak forests, over the hills and through the meadows of the Transylvanian tableland – every
way you look, it will seem we are the only people here.

Around lunchtime, we will be back in the village of Halmeag, we say goodbye to the horses, and we will be
transferred in Medieval town where we will have a quick visit and lunch, then continue our way to the very
center of Bucharest, and hotel Scala ****.

Dinner in a gourmet restaurant in the center of Bucharest.

Day 8 - Visit of the Highlights and Hidden Bucharest

After a somptuous breakfast, we begin the day with a guided tour of the highlights of Bucharest : Romanian
Athenaeum – short introduction to Romanian history, Revolution Square: Royal Palace, Central University
Library, Revolution Square, Rebirth, Victory Avenue (main historic avenue), Old Town: Villacrosse Passage,
Lipscani Street, National Bank, Savings Bank, Stavropoleos Monastery … comfortable shoes are a must on
the old streets.

Traditional lunch at the Caru cu Bere restaurant .

In the afternoon we continue our guided visit with the Hidden Bucharest : Walk in the historic “hidden”
neighborhood near the hotel: ARCUB, Batistei Church, University House, Medicine Rectory, Anglican Church,
Icon Garden, Memorial House of Ion Mincu, Artur Verona Street and urban art from the Street Delivery urban
festival

4:00PM - End of tour back at the Scala Hotel. An extra night can be arranged on request (direct pay onsite). Please let us know if you'd like us to handle that for you.

Program may be changed a little according to the season and weather conditions.