DISCOVER MAGIC ISTRIA ON A HORSEBACK Programme sheldule; Riding from the west coast through the interior of Istria is a special experience that every true nature and horse lover will be delighted with. The magnificent horses that you will ride are a fine mixture of Arab and English race specially trained to work with the visitor. Accommodations and meals throughout the route are organised in rural houses to give you that rustic feel. The food and wine offered will be traditional organically-grown produce that will leave a lasting impression of the countryside. Your luggage and personal belongings will be transported in the support van that will always be near-to-hand. Your personal vehicle can be parked at the first/last night’s accommodation or we will arrange transportation for guests arriving by plane or coach. An average day’s trekking will be 25-30km. You should bring your own riding pants, boots and raincoat.

1.DAY

Arrive to Istria and settle into your accommodations in the village of Filipini, 5km from Porec. Dinner and introduction with your host and horse.

2. DAY

After a traditional breakfast we go to the stables. Easy riding through open countryside, vineyards and olive groves to an ancient forest situated beside the Lim Fjord Natural Park. We shall ride at the edge of the 11km long fjord and stop at a cave, purported hiding spot of the infamous English pirate Henry Morgan, whose booty, according to legend, is buried close to the nearby deserted town of Dvigrad. After a lunch of fish and wine there will be time for swimming and relaxation. We continue though forest and fields to the village of Klostar, where an Istrian dinner and comfortable beds are waiting.

3. DAY

Our journey takes us through the Draga (Shallow Valley) which divides Istria into two parts, and in Roman times was the border between two cantons. Halfway along the valley the ghost town of Dvigrad awaits us. Although surrounded by legend we know that the town was abandoned after the plague epidemic in the 16th C. The dominating twin fortresses will be our backdrop for a well-earned barbeque. We continue through the valley reaching the market town of Zminj where dinner and rest are planned.

4. DAY

Today we shall be riding through the heart of the Istrian peninsula, dotted with small villages and quaint Istrian field houses called Kazun. A landscape of natural beauty leads us to the middle-age trading centre town of Gracisce where we will have a typical Istrian lunch. The town offers stunning views of Mount Ucka, across the shire landscape that we will be riding through late afternoon, covered with little hills, mountain ravines and lonely churches proudly fighting the forces of time. Late in the day we will reach the agro-tourism site of Dol with a tempting offer of domestic cuisine and wine awaiting us.

5. DAY

This morning we continue through the hillsides to a viewpoint at the village of Grimalda where a barbeque is served. A view of the largest Istrian lake, Butoniga, beholds our eyes. We shall ride around the lake continuing up into the hills ending our ride at the village of Kascerga where the horses will stable for the night whilst we return to Dol. A special meal, traditionally prepared in a cermic pot called a ceripnja, is on the menu for this evening.

6. DAY

We return to Grimalda for our horses and ride along the banks of the River Mirna to the outstanding hill-top town of Motovun. During the summer the most important and best-known Croatian film festival is held here attracting visitors from around the world, and the occasional Hollywood film star. After a picnic under the great walls of Motovun we shall proceed to the secluded agro-tourism site of Spinovci. A specially prepared dinner of world-famous Istrian mushrooms will be the gastronomic feast for this evening.

7. DAY

After breakfast at these unique accommodations we will trail the old Austro-Hungarian rail tracks of Parenzane. A great number of old stone bridges and tunnels attracts many nature lovers to walk and cycle the route once taken by steam locomotives. After lunch we continue through fields and small vineyards to the stables where we began, saying goodbye to our beautiful horses that carried us proudly during the last seven days. We return to Filipini for a farewell dinner and overnight.

8. DAY

Breakfast and so long!

PRICELIST

TERMS: Available from the end of March to the middle of June and from the beginning of September to the end of October. The exact terms will be made on request at least 30 days before the trek begins. A knowledge of horse riding, 20-30 hours of field riding, is essential. PRICE: Trekking – organisation – 7 nights dinner, bed and breakfast in private accommodation – lunch on each day of trek – guide – luggage transportation – local transfers for guests arriving by coach or plane………………………………………………………………………………………………750 Euro per person. GROUP SIZES: 3-8 persons.