BALATON MEADOWS - HUNGARY

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With comfortable country house accommodation and riding for all levels of rider, each at their own pace, this is the perfect all round riding holiday. The country house faces the riding centre and offers modern, en suite rooms and an excellent restaurant, swimming pool and tennis courts. The riding is through miles of beautiful meadows and oak forests at all paces, with stops at many local wineries to taste their wines! The part bred Hungarian horses are gentle, responsive and enthusiastic ranging in size from 15hh to 17.2hh. Qualified instruction and slower riding is available in the school for beginners, while experienced riders enjoy fast riding out.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights Ride only price 2008: from £429 per person. Non riders £345 2009: from £439 per person. Non riders £355 Departure dates 2008: Saturday to Saturday from 8 March to 13 December 2009: from 7 March to 19 December Approximate riding time per day 4 - 6 hours Riding ability required From beginner on, experienced riders separated. Min age 8 (must be experienced riders). Group size 2 - 10 Meeting point (getting there) Balaton airport. Transfer €70 (€80 in 2009) per vehicle one way from Balaton, cost divided by number of people. €130 per vehicle one way from Budapest. Flight guide London - Balaton (Sarmellék airport) with Ryanair Single supplement 2008 and 2009: £44

SAMPLE ITINERARY - BALATON MEADOWS

Beginner Programme 
2008: £429
2009: £439
This horse riding holiday has been set up to introduce beginners to horse riding over a week while allowing for enough recovery time to relax. It includes 5 riding lessons of about 30 minutes each. Lessons for beginners are usually started on the lunge ring. One lesson in the arena of about 45 minutes and at the end of the week riders should be able to enjoy a one hour ride in the countryside independently.  A maximum of 4 beginners can be accommodated in any one week.

Relaxed Programme
2008: £459
2009: £475                                 
The programme on this riding holiday allows riders to enjoy the hotels' many facilities or take day excursions to surrounding attractions, making it suitable for non-riders too. It includes 6 two hour rides in the countryside, to be taken as wanted.

Full Riding Programme
2008: £595
2009: £595
A suggested week programme would comprise:
Saturday: arrival
Sunday: 2 hours riding to choose a suitable horse.
Monday - Friday: full day riding trip each day with meal in a Csárda (Hungarian restaurant) or picnic (all included in full board)
Saturday: departure
Please note in 2009 there will be 4 full day rides and 1 day with a horse drawn carriage ride to a local vinyard to take part in winetasting.
There is a minimum of 4 riders for this horse riding holiday to take place. If only one rider books for a particular week, morning and afternoon rides will be done instead of all day picnic rides.

NOTES - BALATON MEADOWS

The hotel building has been constructed in the style of a manor house and fits perfectly into the countryside. The stables join the hotel in a semicircle, forming a courtyard which is used as a terrace. The hotel has 22 neatly furnished rooms on three floors. All rooms have their own bathroom with shower and toilet, TV, refrigerator and telephone. There are quiet corners close to the central staircase, where you can sit and read a book or have a chat with your friends. You can also relax on the outdoor terrace. Your local accommodation tax is not included in the price (77 pence pppd).

There is a 9 X 4 metre open air swimming pool and a tennis court with a hard surface. Friends and family can take a seat on one of the benches around the court and watch the match.

There are many excursions available locally to visit nearby sights - ancient towns, monasteries, swimming in Lake Balaton - your hosts can help you arrange these non-rider options for a reasonable price.

There is currently not an English speaking guide on the trail rides but the guides all have a basic knowledge of English. The English speaking host will be with you before your ride to help with stirrups etc. If more complex English instructions are needed all guides carry a mobile phone. 

Additional stay in Budapest:
Should you wish to visit Budapest as part of this itinerary we can organise a transfer from here.
Bupdapest is a beautiful city and well worth a visit. Highlights include: a night time cruise on the Danube; a spa expereince at teh magnificent historical Gellert Baths; the Chain Bridge across the Danube, Buda Castle, St Stephen's Basilica, Parliament Buildings and Heroe's Square to name but a few. The city icenter is compact and most sights are easily accesible on foot. We can book you a few nights at a centrally located guest house with spacious rooms and antique furniture at reasonable rates.

The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Accommodation, full board without drinks, riding and guiding as described.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to and from Hungary and transfer from Balaton, drinks, items of a personal nature and tips. Local accommodation tax - 300 forint per person per day (approx 77pence pppd) must be paid on site.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.

Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

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