Lipizzan Riding Center Slovenia Slovenia The Lipizzan Riding Center near Sezana, is a green oasis established by the Austrian Archduke Karl of Hapsburg  in 1580 in order to breed the spirited Lipizzaner horses. As characteristic for their breed, the colts and fillies are born as a brown or mouse-grey color, which becomes  the infamous grey as they age.  Most adult Lipizzaner are predominantly white. The highly intelligent Lipizzaner originally served as draught and parade animals, but now they are used as riding, dressage, and carriage horses. Here the horses are trained according to the principle of classical dressage. Hidden Trails now offers you the opportunity to ride and train on these magnificent horses. The history of Lipica is full of stories of  the emperors and rulers who admired the white stallions so much and of stories of Slovene peasants who remained faithful to their white beauties. The Slovenian coast of the Adriatic Sea, with its mild Mediterranean climate is a perfect getaway and only a couple of hours from Venice, Italy. The riding center uses the classical riding methods to achieve unity and harmony of the rider and the horse. Here tradition and a modern approach go hand in hand. This is a place where the noble Lipizzaner takes you to explore the magical Karst world, with sinkholes and paths winding amongst the Karst junipers. Riding Clinic Family Vacation Center-based ride Meeting: Lipica Airport: Trieste, Italy Transfer: Trieste or Sezana train station Riders: Min 1 riders Max 6 riders (per riding group) Max Capacity 60 Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating Travel Stories

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Sample Itinerary 2020 - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
After settling into your rooms, you will meet your instructor, who will present you Lipica, the cradle of Lipizzaner horses.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 2 (Sunday): Discover Lipica
In the morning, you will start with a trail ride on the estate, followed by a picnic on a meadow. After lunch, you will go for a trail ride on the living Karst museum path. With typical karst features such as karst dolines, uvalas, sinkholes, grikes, abysses, and of course, underground caves, the living museum of Karst area, which extends over 700 ha, is defined as ecologically important area and its larger part belongs among the Natura 2000 sites. Enjoy the easy yet pleasant ride in this natural museum.
Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy a show with Lipizzaner horses.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 3 (Monday): Ride to Briščiki & cave visit
Today, you will go on horseback to Briščiki and visit the Caves ‘’Grotta Gigante’’. Then you will have a lunch break before making your way back to the riding center.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 4 (Tuesday): Ride to Kokoška hill 
Our destination for the day is Kokoška hill, where you will enjoy lunch in a cottage. This hill is located on the karst edge, overlooking the gulf of Trieste, about 670m above sea level. If time allows, you will go for a short walk to get an aspiring view of Adriatic Sea. This area is rich with fauna and flora, making the path widely popular among locals.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 5 (Wednesday): Ride to Povir & visit of Renčelj lavender fields
This morning, you will ride to Povir and visit the Renčelj lavender fields. After lunch, ride back to the riding center.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 6 (Friday): Ride to Dutovlje
The last ride of the program includes a beautiful trail to Dutovlje, where you will be able to taste local products (Wine & Cheese). This area is known for charming vineyards and gorgeous stone built cellars. You will take a rest in one of the oldest wine producers of the region, owned by the Lisjak family. With rich history, dedicated family and high-level product this is the right place to taste the famous Teran wine!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 7 (Saturday): Departure
End of program after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary 2021 - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
After settling into your rooms, you will meet your instructor, who will present you Lipica, the cradle of Lipizzaner horses.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 2 (Sunday): Discover Lipica
In the morning, you will start with a trail ride on the estate, followed by a picnic on a meadow. After lunch, you will go for a trail ride on the living Karst museum path. With typical karst features such as karst dolines, uvalas, sinkholes, grikes, abysses, and of course, underground caves, the living museum of Karst area, which extends over 700 ha, is defined as ecologically important area and its larger part belongs among the Natura 2000 sites. Enjoy the easy yet pleasant ride in this natural museum.
Later in the afternoon, you will enjoy a show with Lipizzaner horses.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 3 (Monday): Ride to Škocjan & cave visit
Today, you will go on horseback to Škocjan and visit the Caves. Then you will have a lunch break before making your way back to the riding center.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 4 (Tuesday): Ride to Kokoška hill 
Our destination for the day is Kokoška hill, where you will enjoy lunch in a cottage. This hill is located on the karst edge, overlooking the gulf of Trieste, about 670m above sea level. If time allows, you will go for a short walk to get an aspiring view of Adriatic Sea. This area is rich with fauna and flora, making the path widely popular among locals.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 5 (Wednesday): Ride to Povir & visit of Renčelj lavender fields
This morning, you will ride to Povir and visit the Renčelj lavender fields. After lunch, ride back to the riding center.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 6 (Friday): Ride to Dutovlje
The last ride of the program includes a beautiful trail to Dutovlje, where you will be able to taste local products (Wine & Cheese). This area is known for charming vineyards and gorgeous stone built cellars. You will take a rest in one of the oldest wine producers of the region, owned by the Lisjak family. With rich history, dedicated family and high-level product this is the right place to taste the famous Teran wine!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Maestoso

Day 7 (Saturday): Departure
End of program after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Optional dressage lesson - extra fee applies
The Stud Farm teaches dressage, following the principles of classical dressage. Classical dressage was developed in the past centuries based on dressage of horses for battle purposes. For the rider in the battlefield, a horse with a good command of pirouettes, change of gallop, side passes and other elements is sometimes of vital importance. This skill has developed to the greatest extent in Spain. The basis of the classical dressage is natural capability of an animal. The basis and aim of classical dressage is the preparation of a horse and a rider in psychophysical and technical sense to perform harmonized moves performed in free movement without force and at the highest level of concentration.
Lessons are 45 minutes long (+15 minutes to prepare the horse) and need to be booked at least 3 days in advance.
The instructor chooses the exercises in line with rider's knowledge and ability.


Non-Riding Activities
There are many activities available for non-riders including cycling, hiking, Casino, mini golf, golf, visit of the stud farm & carriage ride.

Golf *
The international Golf Klub Lipica is located directly on the Stud farm. The 9-hole course was built in 1989 in accordance with the designs of Donald Harradin, a worldwide known designer of golf courses. It is the only golf course in Slovenia that remains open throughout the whole year. It boasts of picturesque fairways and practice range where the Academy of Golf without Borders is located.

Visit of Lipica Stud Farm
Get to know the history of the stud farm all the way from its foundation until today. Find out everything you wanted to know about Lipica and the Lipizzan horse. A visit of the Stud Farm includes the visit of the old stables, entrance to the Lipikum museum, visit of Avgust Černigoj Art Gallery, access to Karst House & visit of the Valley of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua.

A Tale of Lipica Show
Many centuries ago, a story of love, pride, and beauty began at the green Lipica estate. This new show of the Lipica Classical Riding School narrates the story of the exceptional stud farm heritage, the white Lipizzan horse, and its connection to the rider. We invite you to experience the elegance of these white horses and listen to the universal language of beauty. Let A Tale of Lipica impress you as it impressed many visitors.

Carriage Ride (one session of 30-minutes included)
Our coachman will take you for a romantic drive around the property of Lipica through the centennial tree alleys, which were also used by the Hapsburg royal family!

Cycling *
Those fond of active holidays can find many cycling trails in the Karst surroundings of the estate. This region will attract cyclist who desire a safe and diverse landscape, away from busy roads and enjoy dirty trails and tracks combined with asphalt roads. Cyclists can discover different parts of Karts including viewpoint peaks, remarkable blind valleys and steep cliffs on the edge of plateau. A network of cycle paths is well-marked, helping you to find your way.  And when you feel hungry, find a Karst inn and enjoy the typical air dried ham – ‘pršut’.
A cycling package can be arranged for you - please inquire.

Sightseeing
A walk through the mysterious underground world of many Karst caves is a unique experience in itself. You may also explore the cultural heritage of Karst villages where the interaction over thousands of years between natural phenomena and the influence of man, whose work helped shape the curiosities, is undoubtedly eye-catching.

Hiking trails
The area of the cultivated Karst landscape of the Stud Farm, which is under the special protection of monumental heritage, encompasses pastures and meadows with protective fences, oak groves and avenues of trees. The man-made landscape is an integral and redesigned natural environment whose development is based on many centuries’ tradition of horse breeding. 
In view of the immense importance of this area, we would like to familiarize visitors with this location. For this purpose a network of nature trails and promenades of various lengths have been arranged within the protected area. The planning of trails was underpinned by the basic principles of monument management which added another dimension to the core activity of horse breeding. Our nature trails will lead you through the remarkable man-made landscape of the Stud Farm. The legacy of our ancestors includes not only typical Karst pastures with isolated oaks but also many other elements of the man-made landscape such as Karst ponds, wells, ice-pits, mines, limekilns, carved boundary markers and much more.

*: extra fee applies (inquire for rates)

                                                    Lipica area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	42	43	50	58	67	73	78	78	70	60	51	44
Average Low Temperature (°F)	34	34	39	45	53	60	64	64	58	51	43	36
Average High Temperature (°C)	5	6	10	14	19	23	26	25	21	16	11	7
Average Low Temperature (°C)	1	1	4	7	12	15	18	18	14	10	6	2
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	5	5	5	7	6	6	4	4	6	7	8	7

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The Karst region boasts a pleasant Mediterranean climate, allowing you to explore the farm’s beautiful surroundings all year round.

The highest monthly precipitation (up to 15 inches / 381 mm) occurs in spring and autumn, and the highest temperatures occur in June and July.
Weather is most reliable from May through September.

Visiting in the shoulder seasons will mean less European tourists and less intense heat than July and August.
We especially recommend visiting during the spring, when nature wakes from hibernation, or in the autumn, when the sumach bushes are turning crimson red.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)

Riding boots (short) + Minichaps

Riding helmet  (recommended for all trips)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Lightweight Rain coat

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjama

Bag for dirty clothes

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for the emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra films and batteries

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

All riders must wear riding clothes and boots, in cross-country rides also a riding helmet.
In dressage courses the riders are allowed to bring the riding crop and spurs.

Average ratings from 7 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date ekaterina delgado 2/19/2018 michael gobb 9/4/2013 janet m. baker 12/30/2010 brenda blakeney 8/22/2010 richard severson 10/19/2009 richard severson 7/11/2009 valerie may lock 11/27/2008

Accommodation
This is a stationary ride so you will be staying at the same location every night.

Description
Hotel Maestoso is set in the middle of a peaceful and natural green surrounding, close to the city of Sežana. The hotel is part of the famous and historic Stud Farm Lipica, the home of Lipizzaner horses. Enjoy Lipica’s 300 hectares of green fields and beautiful white horses.
** If Hotel Maestoso is not available due to renovations, private booking, etc. - our guests will stay at a nearby hotel such as Hiša Krasna in Lokev or at Center hotel in Basovizza. Transfers between these alternative hotels and the riding will be organized and provided at no extra cost.

It offers comfortable pet-friendly (supplement to be paid) rooms that feature air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and private bathroom with hair dryer. A terrace or balcony is available in certain rooms.
Wi-Fi is available in common areas and is free of charge.
There is a laundry service available to guest for an extra charge.

Special Note: During the 2020 season, Hotel Maestoso will be closed for renovations. Hotel Hiša Krasna in Lokev, will be used instead.

Room Occupancy
Triple and quadruple room might be available on request. Please, inquire at time of booking.
Single rooms are available with a supplement.


Meals
All meals are included in the package from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day.

The Hotel's Restaurant, serves traditional Karst dishes with a modern twist. Meals are prepared from fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. You will be seduced by the tempting smell of home-made Karst specialties, which taste even better when paired with excellent local wines (drinks not included in package).

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions (including vegans) with advance notice.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Lipizzan
Pace:		3+ hours per day (5 riding days) | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 12
Weight:		Max 185 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 6 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 60

There is usually no riding on Saturdays (an additional private session can be booked on Saturdays)

Riding Experience
Riders participating in the program must be able to ride independently at the walk, trot and canter and know the correct use of aids. Riders must have ridden at least 100 hours in the last 2 years.
The weekly riding program includes 5 riding days (trail rides) with an average of 3+ hours in the saddle every day.

Riding Gear
Helmet is compulsory regardless of age. By the age of 15 a spine shield is also mandatory.
Other mandatory riding equipment include riding pants and riding boots.

Horses
The Stud Farm is committed to ensuring care, treatment, accommodation and breeding of all categories of Lipizzan horses in accordance with the highest ethical, ethological and technological standards.
The Lipizzaner breed has built its exceptional reputation due to its characteristics which include: elegance, docility, endurance and a moderate nature.
The school horses are well trained and are able to perform lateral movements like shoulder in and half-pass, but no flying changes, piaffe or passage that are typical elements of higher dressage level.

The Stud Farm
The stud farm was founded in 1580 and, today, it is a jewel among the cultural and historical monuments of the Republic of Slovenia. For over four centuries, the Lipica Stud Farm has nurtured the tradition of breeding and selecting thoroughbred horses. In the period after World War II Lipica established its own classical riding school and has successfully performed with its horses at various equestrian events all over the world.
Today, Lipica is a world famous recreational center with a hint of tradition, offering its visitors unforgettable moments of relaxation.
The Lipica estate now includes two hotels, a golf course, tennis courts, mini golf, saunas, swimming pool, gym, casino and, on top of all that, our herd of noble and proud white beauties from the Karst, residing in their historic stables and nurtured throughout the centuries.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Slovenia joined the Schengen Agreement on 21 December 2007 for overland entry points and seaports, and on 29 March 2008 for airports.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.