Horse Riding Holidays, Croatia

A country that is fast becoming a popular and exciting holiday destination. Croatia is located in South-Central Europe. Its shape resembles that of a crescent or a horseshoe, which flanks its neighbours Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. To the north lies Slovenia and Hungary and Italy lies across the Adriatic Sea. Croatia offers fantastic, varied horse riding opportunities. Its terrain is diverse, including: plains, lakes and rolling hills, perfect for horse riding and galloping across the plains. From the Eastern plains to the fashionable Adriatic coast, Croatia is a fascinating blend of Balkan central European and Mediterranean cultures. This is a country which has taken on influences from Venice to Vienna and Belgrade to Istanbul and moulded them to create a distinct national character. Croatia has more than a thousand islands with a beautiful coastline and the cleanest waters in the Mediterranean. It has mountains, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, buzzing cities and historic Venetian towns. The country is famous for its many national parks which are perfect for horse riding enthusiasts.

It is now many years since the end of the war and Croatia is welcoming tourists again but is learning from past mistakes and is embracing a future that puts quality before quantity. The trend is towards rural tourism and small family run hotels and cycling and horse riding are fast becoming popular tourist activities. Equestrian skills are shared and enjoyed throughout Croatia, as well as the breeding horses for sport, hunting and work, they have a very long tradition in the valleys of the Rivers Sava, Drava and Danube. Whilst travelling on horseback through the plains and forests you can see and learn about the habitats of birds, fish and game, the traditional popular architecture of rural communities and homesteads.

If you choose to visit the slopes of Papuk, there are the excellent wines of Kutjevo to savour, as well as fresh spring water, and spas in which to relax. In Dakovo (Slavonia) you can visit the best known breeding and selection stud farm which is for Lipizzaner horses, the half-blood Tulipan Croatian line: an average height, well balanced, high stepping, sturdy and strong horse. In Istria they have the Istrijanac - a locally bred, high spirited thoroughbred horse.

There are several equestrian centres in this region, and wonderful areas for an adventure on horseback. The silent wilderness of Zumberak offers just the same opportunities. With the Alkars of Senj, in the valley of the River Cetina, horse riding became a knightly occupation as long ago as the beginning of the 18th century. Riding through the valley you will discover the natural, cultural, historical features and specific characteristics of this picturesque area. You will not fail to sample the local specialties - including grape brandy, cheese, bread baked under a peka (a baking lid), as well as lamb prepared in the same way as bread.

See our horse riding holidays in Croatia below.