wild tuscany
30th March - 2nd April | £1050pp | Italy
ride wild along an italian beach
‘A short but sweet riding escape through coastal Tuscany, combining exhilarating beach gallops and scenic trails through a national park with villa living, authentic Italian cuisine and a relaxed pace of life’
Overview
This Inn-to-Inn Transylvanian Trail Ride is a week-long riding holiday through the rolling hills, open meadows and medieval villages of south-eastern Transylvania. Starting and finishing in Șinca Nouă, the route covers almost 200km in a large loop through one of the most rural and traditional regions of Europe. Here, the landscape is still shaped by centuries of pastoral life, with vast flocks of sheep grazing the hillsides, quiet village roads and wide open countryside that feels far removed from the modern world.
As you ride through the hills and valleys, you'll discover a landscape rich in both wildlife and history. The region supports abundant birdlife, including lesser-spotted eagles, bee-eaters and hoopoes, while the villages are home to remarkable reminders of Transylvania's medieval past. Fortified churches, some dating back around 800 years, stand among the traditional settlements, offering a glimpse into the history and culture of this fascinating part of Romania.
This is a fast-paced trail ride for experienced riders, with lively, forward-going horses and frequent opportunities to canter and gallop across the open countryside. You'll cover between 22 and 38km each day, spending around three to seven hours riding as you journey between villages. Each night, you'll stay in guesthouses or with local hosts, with accommodation ranging from simple, rustic stays to cosy village guesthouses. With exhilarating days in the saddle, plenty of faster riding and evenings spent in traditional villages, this is a trail ride for confident riders looking to experience the wild, open landscapes of Transylvania at speed.
What you need to know
A hosted and Wild Mane exclusive ride
Horse riding in Tuscany, Italy
£1050pp
All meals, accommodation, and riding included.
30th March - 2nd April
4 days & 3 nights (3 days riding)
2 - 6 hours riding everyday
Riding through a national park and across a beach
Friendly and experienced guides
OVERVIEW
Dates: 30th March - 2nd April
Price: £1050
Location: Italy
Operator: BD Horses Tuscany
Riding level: Advanced
Max group size: 5
Time in the saddle: 2-6 hours a day
Horses: Mix of breeds
Weight limit: 90kg
Currency: Euro
Saddle type: English***
Airport: Pisa or Rome
Adventure level:
Need to know
What’s included:
Accommodation during the trip
All riding with a guide
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverages (non alcoholic)
Airport transfers (optional add on)
Flights into and out of Italy
Accommodation outside of the trip
Tips / gratuities.
Travel & medical insurance
What’s excluded:
Food: Meals will be had at the villa everyday, cooked by a private chef.
Dietary requirements can be accommodated.
Accommodation:
Each night, you'll stay in guesthouses or with local hosts in the villages along the route, offering a glimpse into traditional rural life in Transylvania. Accommodation varies from simple, rustic stays to more comfortable and cosy guesthouses, so standards aren't always what you'd expect from a conventional hotel. In return, you'll experience the warmth of local hospitality and the peaceful pace of life in these remote villages.
Accommodation and food
The horses at Equus Silvania are a mixture of over 40 pure and half-bred horses, mainly breeds of Hungarian origin such as Shagya-Arabian, Kisberi, and Gidran. All these breeds are characterised by an outstanding willingness, endurance, beauty and good nature.
Their horses reside in two groups within open stables that have sand paddocks, allowing them the liberty to move around and fostering their need for social interactions. They regularly enjoy time in expansive pastures and once the season is over, every horse gets 6 weeks of ‘holiday’. The rest of the off-season is used for training purposes to keep the horses strong, healthy and well trained. Every horse is checked twice a day to make sure there’s no problems and allow the team to intervene quickly, if necessary.
Find out more about how the horses are cared for here.
Horses
Riding hat, gloves and comfortable riding shoes
Warm layers of clothing.
A warm waterproof jacket
Sunglasses
Sun cream
A water bottle
Bum bag
A charging adapter
A book for entertainment
Toiletries, towel, jodphurs etc
Camera gear
See our what to pack guide here for a full packing list.
What to pack:
Apply to join this ride:
Itinerary
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Check in at the villa before 2pm. We’ll then head to meet our horses, followed by a short orientation ride. Dinner will be local and authentic Italian cuisine, cooked at the villa by a private chef (meat, vegetarian and vegan menus available).
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Ride through the scrub of the nature reserve to the panoramic coast, with a buffet lunch stop at Cala Violina and the chance to swim in warmer months. Dinner at a typical local restaurant, with transfer included.
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Ride through the woods to Punta Ala's 8 km of sand for a full gallop, with a beach buffet lunch and time to relax by the sea. Farewell aperitif and fish dinner at the villa (vegetarian and vegan menus available).
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Breakfast before saying goodbye to the horses and heading home.
Apply to join this ride:
why riders love this ride
Long exhilarating canters and gallops
Well mannered and and forward going Hungarian horses.
Experiencing untouched areas of Transylvania
Time to learn about the history of the area as well as enjoying time riding
this ride is right for you if:
You enjoy long and fast canters and gallops ✔
You enjoy riding forward going horses ✔
You like trying local cuisine ✔
You like learning about the history of an area you stay in ✔
About tuscany
Tuscany is a beautiful region in central Italy, known for its rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, vineyards and historic villages. Along the coast, the landscape opens out into sandy beaches, pine forests and protected natural areas, offering a different side to the classic Tuscan countryside. The region is equally celebrated for its food and wine, with a rich culinary tradition built around fresh, local ingredients and simple, seasonal dishes. From its rural landscapes to its relaxed way of life, Tuscany offers a wonderful setting to experience Italy on horseback.
Weather: what to expect
Romania has a continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures vary considerably throughout the year, with summer days often reaching around 25 - 30°C, while winter temperatures can fall below freezing, particularly in the Carpathian Mountains. Spring and autumn are generally mild and changeable, with cooler temperatures in the mountains. The Carpathians experience colder conditions and heavier snowfall than the rest of the country, making the winter months particularly well suited to snow-covered riding.
frequently asked questions
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What riding experience do I need for this trail ride?
This ride is suitable for experienced riders only. You must be confident riding at all paces and able to maintain full control of a horse at gallop. There are frequent opportunities for cantering and galloping each day, so this is not suitable for beginners or less confident riders.
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How much riding will we do each day?
You'll cover approximately 22 - 38km per day, spending around 3 - 7 hours in the saddle, including a lunch break. The ride is fast-paced, with plenty of opportunities for canters and gallops across the open hills and meadows of Transylvania. The exact distance and duration will vary depending on the day's route.
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what wildlife might i see?
Transylvania is home to a rich variety of wildlife, and while larger animals such as wolves, lynx and red deer are rarely seen, you may spot their tracks and other signs of their presence along the route. The region is also known for its abundant birdlife, with lesser-spotted eagles, colourful bee-eaters and hoopoes among the species found in the surrounding countryside.
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What are the horses like?
The horses include Shagya-Arabs, Arabs, Kisberi, Gidran and Hungarian half-breeds. They are lively, forward-going horses with plenty of energy, suited to experienced riders who enjoy faster-paced riding.
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What is the accommodation like during the ride?
You'll stay in guesthouses or with local hosts in the villages along the route. Standards vary, from simple, basic accommodation to more comfortable and cosy guesthouses. This is a rural part of Romania, so you should be prepared for some rustic overnight stays. In return, you'll experience traditional village life and the hospitality of local people.
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How fit do I need to be for this ride?
You should be in good physical condition to take part in this ride. The days can involve up to seven hours of riding across hilly terrain, and some descents are steep and long enough that you'll need to dismount and walk for up to 20 minutes. You should be comfortable walking over uneven ground and bring sturdy, well-broken-in boots or shoes with good grip.
your guides
The team at Equus Silvania will be your hosts during your trip. They’ve been at the forefront of horse riding tourism in Romania for many years, with a passion for sharing the beautiful landscapes, culture and rural traditions of Transylvania.
Their team combines experienced guides with staff working behind the scenes to care for the horses and keep everything running smoothly. Their local knowledge allows them to create routes through forests, meadows and mountain landscapes, while their approach focuses on providing authentic experiences that connect guests with the surrounding countryside. They also place importance on responsible tourism and supporting the conservation of the Carpathian landscape, contributing to wider efforts to protect the forests and wildlife of the Făgăraș Mountains.
The horses are at the heart of the Equus Silvania experience and are an important part of what makes their rides so special. They are well suited to the varied terrain and, during the winter months, can be particularly fresh and forward-going. This makes them exciting partners for riders who enjoy a faster pace and are confident riding lively horses in open countryside.
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How to book
Choose your ride
Submit the application form under ‘request to book’
Wait for us to confirm space with the operator (we aim to get back to you within 24hrs)
Pay your deposit (20%)
Full balance is due 65 days before departure
cancellation policy
Cancellation terms vary by operator and are specific to this ride.
Deposit is refundable
If you cancel more than 30 days in advance, you’ll receive a full refund
If you cancel between 15 - 30 in advance, you’ll receive a 50% refund
If you cancel less than 15 days before departure, no refund will be provided
why wild mane?
Curated, unforgettable & welfare focused riding holidays
Personal advice and human support from booking to your return home
Clear and transparent booking process with no hidden fees
We work directly with established operators, many who are family run