A Week of Horseback Riding (with visits to points of interest) I

For those who want to learn how to ride a horse, or for those who want to improve their riding skills. Lessons will take place in an authorized riding school. As well as horse riding, rest periods periods will include short trips to local places of natural beauty and historical interest. The overall package is not demanding and is an ideal summer holiday for family groups. Swimming in a nearby pool, or in the tajchs - the beautiful lake pools of Banska Stiavnica. We shall visit lovely untouched natural features, as well as the historic town of Banska Stiavnica, (UNESCO protected). The detailed description given below is merely the standard package and alterations can be made to allow more riding/sightseeing time.

• Itinerary
• Prices & Booking

Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival to Slovakia, accommodation, informal reception.

Day 2:

In the morning, there will be 2 hours of horseback riding supervised by an instructor; in the afternoon, we will make a trip to Kalamarka. It is a place with rock formations and towers that were created from lava remnants; also, a hill-fort was formed here by the Luzica culture people in the 8th - 10th centuries. Kalamarka is a famous rock-climbing area.

Day 3:

In the morning, two hours of horseback riding with an instructor; in the afternoon, we will take a trip to Banska Stiavnica, a beautiful historical mining town. Above the town, there is a hill with baroque Calvary chapels; from the hill, the visitors can get a view of the town and its surroundings. Also, there are two castles, Old and New Castle, located in the historical center. After the tour of the town, we will go to see the mining water reservoirs - "tajchs". An ingenious system of water reservoirs and channels was built in the surroundings of Banska Stiavnica 200 years ago. 19 water reservoirs are still in good shape and they are centers of recreation - suitable for swimming and water sports.

Day 4:

In the morning, two hours of horseback riding with an instructor; in the afternoon, we will make a trip to Pusty Hrad (Deserted Castle) that is located near Zvolen. It used to be the largest castle in Central Europe, but only the ruins remain and they are currently under reconstruction.

Day 5:

In the morning, two hours of horseback riding with an instructor; in the afternoon, we will make a trip to Harmanecka cave. The cave is 2500 m long and 720 m cave open for visitors. There are 9 species of bats living in this cave. We will get to see beautiful halls created by underground forces, lakes, waterfalls and bizarre shapes.

Day 6:

In the morning, two hours of horseback riding with an instructor; in the afternoon visiting Kremnica a historical gold-mining town. The mining activities started in this area as early as the year 1000. Kremnica was a free royal town with a mint that is still operating. The mint is 650 years old and it is the oldest one in Europe. The centre of the town is a historical monument reserve.

Day 7:

Farewell and departure from Slovakia.