When I heard of a horse driven carriage tour in Bavaria, I was excited that I had found an adventure for horse lovers who no longer rode but wished the feel of an equestrian

vacation. But I wondered whether one would become bored with sitting in a carriage for several hours. So off I went to Bavaria to check out this tour.

The tour owner, Andreas, fitted in traditional carriage driver apparel which included Tyrolean jacket, knickers and woolen socks greeted me, As we drove south of Munich, he explained the four-day itinerary included four hours per day in a two or four horse drawn carriage divided by a two-hour lunch. The ride was listed as one of the “1000 Places to See before You Die” by the New York Times Travel Guide. He just smiled when I shared my concern of boredom.

Andreas boasted that Bavaria with an abundance of private farm roads offered the best terrain for coaching. The farms were located in villages so many trails were built to access the fields. In other countries, the farms were located close to the fields so there was less need for rambling roads to connect the two.

My vehicle was an impressive green paneled coach led by two white and two black well cared for horses, I would not sit inside the coach rather in the seats on top of the vehicle. My company was six Germans. The driver announced the carriage’s departure with a song from his horn and the horses briskly walked along the road.

The scenery was a delight with ever changing landscape. Small chapels were built along the road for remembrances and reflection. Unique farmhouse adjacent to barns punctuated the rich green rolling hills where cattle and horses grazed. Villages complemented the land with the rust colored roofs, white washed walls and brown latticework of the Bavarian homes. Sparking lakes were surrounded by forests of pungent pine and oak trees. On the horizon, the historic castles nestled in the impressive Alps.

From atop of the carriage, my view and my senses were unobstructed to what unfolded around me. Our pace varied between relaxing walks and brisk trots. When we passed through villages we were often the subject of many tourists who were taking our pictures to memorialize their vacations. The day ended at the base of King Ludwig’s ornate Neuschwanstein Castle. The lodging was comfortable and my son who is a connoisseur of potato soup said it was the best he had ever tasted.

Did this feel like an equestrian vacation? Yes, despite the separation from the horses, I was still steeped in their energy and rhythm. Like all equestrian vacations, I viewed pristine landscapes inaccessible by car or bus.

Was I bored? Absolutely not! The cool clean air, the rhythmical beat of the horses’s hooves on the pavement and no worries about how I was to reach my destination lulled me into timeless state. The driver regaled us with stories and facts. The scenery, villages and castles were intriguing. I can understand why this tour was a must to experience in one’s lifetime for it is truly a great adventure!