Balaton Park Trails and Tuition, Hungary
Reviews
“An enjoyable holiday with good riding and some sightseeing. My favourite memory is of being able to ride responsive horses in great countryside.”
Horses
Type of horses:
Mostly Hungarian crosses (Kisberi, Nonius).
Nature of horses:
Calm, kind and trained to be used by guests.
Height of horses:
14.3 - 17hh (one pony available also).
Weight limit:
90kg though heavier weights can be accommodated with prior notice and planning.
Tack type:
English
Weather
Current Conditions:
Rain, 15 C
Forecast:
Fri - Rain. High: 24 Low: 14
Sat - Rain/Thunder. High: 27 Low: 16
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Based Stay with Day Trails
The price of this trip is £598 per person. This price includes 7 nights accommodation in a shared double room, breakfasts, dinners and a picnic lunch and wine during the 5 days of riding. No lunch is included on arrival day, the next day when you ride in the paddock or your departure day.
Single supplement: £79
Return transfers from Budapest (400kms): £155
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Ten Day Riding and Activity Package
This package costs £841 per person. This includes 10 nights double room accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, 5 picnic lunches and activities as seen in the itinerary.
Single supplement: £109
Return transfers from Budapest (400kms): £155
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
This is a family-owned and managed centre and the yard is run by qualified staff who are able to offer tuition as well as trails on superbly schooled horses. The newly built and stylish horse farm is situated in the protected area of the Balaton Uplands National Park. Whilst riding their well schooled and healthy horses the riding tours will introduce you to the unique natural surroundings of the diverse countryside. You will find old volcanoes, hills with vineyards, mysterious forests, rustling reeds and the waves of the Balaton Lake, 'The Hungarian Sea', all of these being the special features of this area. The ruins of medieval churches, chapels and castles on the top of the hills will give you an insight of ancient times.
Réka and her husband manage the Horse Farm. The new stable block and guest rooms were built in 2006, everything was built to a high standard and well designed. Their main focus is in offering a consistent, high quality service, leaving guests feeling content and wanting to return. The owners will personally care for you as guests. They focus on creating a friendly, homely and comfortable atmosphere. Parents can feel relaxed, whilst children can have fun, and those guests who do not wish to ride can enjoy the many other activities available. Couples or single travellers alike will enjoy the riding, relaxing and exploring. Most importantly their fabulous selection of horses are well trained and very well cared for, there is a horse to suit all abilities.
The Basalt mountains of the area are not only unique and picturesque, they also host many rare plants and animals. Several botanical rarities live in the extreme climatic and geological conditions of these mountains and you can find several rare birds such as red footed falcon and rock bird. This is a lovely destination for all levels of rider and offers a great value and enjoyable holiday. Depending on the number of guests, this destination can be quiet in the evenings. You can improve your riding here or simply just enjoy this delightful region of Hungary and the farm's hospitality and lovely horses.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
On this newly built, clean and fresh farm you will find ten guest rooms; eight double rooms with an en-suite shower and two more bed rooms that accommodate 4-5 people. The accommodation also provides the comfort of an open fire place.
Your hosts wait to welcome you in these warm, friendly rooms furnished to a high standard. Rooms offer clean lines, light and comfort with wooden furniture and shower facilities. Towels are provided and a hairdryer is available. All of the non smoking rooms are double with a TV and internet connection. There is the option of an extra bed or a baby bed. The floors are laid with either local wood or stone tiles with walls decorated in neutral colours. There is also a seated communal area with comfortable leather seats.
Whilst staying here guests have free access to the following: the wellness oasis which includes a jacuzzi, sauna and massage room. Guests will be provided with a bathrobe and sauna sheet. There are hairdryers available. You have use of the communal kitchen with fridge. There is also internet access with free wifi. You can use the volley and football courts. There is also a playground for children, a garden and car parking. From May 2010 there will be a swimming pool available for both adults and children.
Baby services are also offered with a baby bed, baby chair, buggy and pushchair available.
Standard rates include breakfast which is a rich buffet breakfast. Half-board and full-board options are also available. Half board includes dinner with two or three courses according to the current menu.
Dinner here consists of a lot of traditional Hungarian fare, often with a lighter more European option as an alternative. This is continental cuisine and can be quite different to everyday English food.
Activities
Onsite you will find their wellness services so you can just relax alone or opt for a massage. They also offer bike hire, transfers to local villages/towns, archery training, wine tasting and wine cellar visits.
For groups they can also offer orienteering in the Keszthely hills, carting with picnics, guided walks or bike tours, a guided cave tour, dance classes and riding competitions.
There are many interesting villages and towns in the area ranging from 3 kms away to 35 kms away providing a number of sites of cultural or historic interest and stunning scenery.
Places to visit include a number of museums, caves, a mansion, a dock, thermal baths and a lookout tower. There are also a number of interesting churches, a geological and botanical study path, fabulous castles and chapels. You can see a performance in Renaissance riding and also have the opportunity to take part in sailing, surfing, hunting, fishing, tennis, golf, walking and cycling.
Further Details
Languages: English, Hungarian and German. Lessons are translated for English speakers by the host, Réka, and guides are able to give main instructions and warnings in basic English or in a way which is understandable to guests.
Health requirements: Fit & Healthy
Age limit: None within reason (children can have pony rides or lessons).
Tuition: A programme with tuition can be arranged or day trails can be traded for lessons.
Included: Accommodation, breakfast (with the option of half/full board at an additional cost) riding as per programme
Not included: Flights, insurance
Travel Information
Fly into Budapest Ferihegy Airport or Vienna Schwechat Airport (they are both about the same distance). We advise that you hire a car as the region is well worth seeing. Transfers can be arranged if you prefer but this is at an extra cost.
Airport: Budapest
Programmes
Based Stay with Day Trails
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This is a based stay at the welcoming Hungarian horse farm with day tours of the surrounding area. Each day can be adapted to suit the guests' needs and the trails depend on the riders' interests and, of course, the weather. Exact routes are chosen day to day and show the beauty of this colourful region, from it's highland forests to the flat fields which are perfect for a gallop. Day tours usually involve a delicious picnic, eaten out in the countryside, and the group can stop by winecellars to taste wine during their rides. Although we recommend a seven night stay here, this is a flexible programme that can be adapted to suit you. During a seven night stay, the first day is spent riding in the paddock so that you may adjust to your horse. Then there are five whole day tours, heading out from the farm each day and returning there after the ride for a comfortable night's sleep. These day rides may also be traded in for tuition (or a programme including tuition can be arranged) as this farm offers lessons from beginner to experienced. Staff at the centre can offer tuition is available in dressage and show jumping (for which they have their own area) for the beginner to intermediate rider. For the experienced wanting a higher level of tuition they offer training with an external German lady (by quotation) in both more advanced dressage and jumping), she speaks German and English. They can also offer lunge lessons, pony riding and tuition for children (children's camps can also be arranged) and cross country for the experienced rider only. The experienced rider can enjoy fabulous daily trails on the fit and faster horses that they have to offer with opportunities for a good gallop. Whole day riding tours can take various routes but here are some examples: 1. A tour through the mysterious forests of the Keszthely mountain to the castle ruins at the top of the Rezi hill. This offers breathtaking views of the whole area. Distance: about 50km. 2. A ride through the chilly woods of the Keszthely mountain to the "big meadow" in Gyenesdias. Here you will enjoy a pleasant picnic lunch and see the beautiful views of the Balaton from the look-out tower of Festetics. Distance 35-40km. 3. Riding tour in the Tapolcai basin around the Saint-George Hill, where you can see a lot of little chappels in the side of the hill and can taste the famous wine made on this volcanic soil. Lunch taken in a restaurant in Gyulakeszi. Distance 25-30km. 4. A tour at the foot of the world famous Badacsony to Salfold. During this trail you can taste the unique local wine, the "Keknyelu" (Blueleaf) of Badacsony. In Salfold you visit and have lunch in the manor which shows native domestic animals. You ride beside the "stone-sea" of Salfold and visit the enigmatic remains of a cloister deep in the forest. Distance: 45-50km. 5. A challenging tour in the Kali basin around the Hegyesd Hill. Distance: 50-55km. 6. A challenging tour through the forests and uplands of the Keszthely Mountain to the Park of the Human Lows to see the Buddhists' Stupa in Zalaszanto. Distance: 45-50km. 7. Riding tour to acquaint you with the forests of the "Lesencek" and the basalt mine in Uzsa. Distance 30-35km. 8. A challenging trail to the Castle of Sumeg and the royal stable house. Distance: 50-55km. If these tours are too long for you then you can of course opt to enjoy shorter rides, ranging from 1 hour onwards. Each day your hosts will talk with you about the next day's riding and will discuss your experiences so far and your wishes for the next route. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 13 |
| Ability description: | Riders of all abilities are welcome but for the trails riders must be confident in control of their horse. |
| Type of ride: | Based stay with day trails. |
| Total riding time: | Five days, varies depending on route, see examples. |
| Departure dates: | Flexible dates all year round. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Ten Day Riding and Activity Package
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This package is a ten night stay at the horse farm with a combination of whole day horse riding trails and various other activities. It includes breakfasts, dinners and five picnic lunches. This programme is flexible and they cater for all abilities, experienced riders can enjoy fabulous daily trails on the fit and faster horses that they have to offer with opportunities for a good gallop. There are also some cross country fences so the experienced rider can also enjoy a jump whilst out and about. The includes activities are as follows: - First day riding in the paddock to get used to your horse - 5 whole day riding tours with picnic lunches - 2 half day riding tours without picnic lunches, there is the option to sight-see after and eat in one of the local restaurants, on site lunches can also be arranged - 1 horse and cart ride with mulled wine, there is also the option to learn to drive and have a go - 1 archery training session - 1 full body massage (50 mins) - 1 wine tasting session - welcome drink - 1 cave tour (2-3 hours) - 1 day of bike renting This is a fantastic tour for those who like to try out different things, whilst also having plenty of excellent riding during their holiday. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 13 |
| Ability description: | Riders for the day tours must be confident in the saddle. |
| Type of ride: | Based stay with day trails. |
| Total riding time: | Depends on routes (examples of which can be viewed in 'Based Stay' itinerary) |
| Departure dates: | Flexible dates all year round. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |