Balkan Rides - Bulgaria

The Wild Land of Bulgaria

5 star rating   20 July 2024

Mari (this is their first In The Saddle holiday) We had an incredible horse riding holiday in Bulgaria! The horses were fabulous, well taken care of, and had been carefully chosen for us (thanks to Katerina!), making them a perfect match. The riding experience was amazing, led mainly by Maria (who was very experienced and a great guide) with a good mix of pace that allowed us to fully enjoy the beautiful views of the Bulgarian countryside.


The Riding

How well were you matched with the right horse for your ability?
5 star rating
How would you rate the variety of riding, pace or terrain?
5 star rating
How would you rate the overall standard of the horses, tack and stables?
5 star rating

The Accommodation

How would you rate your room(s) for comfort and facilities?
4 star rating
How would you rate the standard of the food?
5 star rating

Do you have any comments about the accommodation and food?

The accommodation during our holiday was good, despite being quite basic. Each lodge had clean, comfortable rooms and refreshing pools, providing a perfect place to relax after each ride. The food at each location was a highlight, featuring incredible traditional Bulgarian cuisine that truly immersed us in the local culture. A special mention goes to Tony’s cooking, which we especially loved!


Before Your Holiday

Did you have all of the information you needed to:

Plan and prepare for your holiday?
4 star rating
Feel comfortable about your transfers and what to expect?
5 star rating

How could we improve the quality of pre-holiday information that we send?

The packing list was great, however it may have been useful to emphasize more the fact that some of the lodges were very basic and didn’t include shampoo/conditioner/hair dryer etc.
(This was a very minor issue though!).


Do you have any other feedback for us?

We had a fantastic experience with this family-run horse riding holiday business. The thoughtfulness of the guides truly stood out; knowing we don't drink coffee, they ensured we always had milk and teabags available. Vasco was a fantastic host - nothing was too much to ask. Their attention to detail and genuine care for our preferences made our holiday even more enjoyable. We would highly recommend this holiday to our horse riding friends!