Sumadija Explorer

Introduction
Central Serbia
Come ride around our beautiful farm in Glogovac, in the heart of Sumadija.

On this stationary ride, you will have the opportunity to discover rural Serbia and learn more about the local history and culture of Sumadija.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
You will be welcomed in our newly renovated guesthouse full of charm and made entirely out of natural materials such as wood stone and brick.

The house was built on the foundations of an old house built according to the traditional Šumadija architecture. We tried to keep as much from this charming 100 years old house, and to adapt it so that guests would have a comfortable stay.  
There are 2 double rooms upstairs and 2 single beds in the living room. There is also a trip room in the attic (low ceiling). Beds and most of the furniture has been locally made from solid wood.
We only have one bathroom shared between guests. The house is equipped with heaters, air conditioning and a TV.
There is a common room in the guest house with a large dining table, benches and chairs. We also have a modest library with some board games. Pens and pencils, sewing and other useful utensils are available for guests to use. If you want to prepare your own coffee or tea, you are welcome to do so in the fully equipped communal kitchen.
Our tap water comes directly from a nearby spring and is excellent!



Outside there are lounge chairs, hammocks, and military blankets, which we like to spread on the lawn. We also have some wooden tables with benches in the yard, hidden among our fruit and nut trees.
In addition, there is a wood-heated sauna that can accommodate up to 9 people and that guests are welcome to use at an extra charge.

Room Occupancy
If you are willing to share a room there will be no supplement.
Extra mattresses for small children can be added in some rooms.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.

Our kitchen is spontaneous and depends on the season. We like to surprise guests with our specialties, but we also like to be flexible with all wishes and needs.
We offer a wide selection of traditionally prepared Serbian dishes. For the preparation we use organically grown farm products.

Some of our specialities include: sauerkraut, goulash, soups and Serbian burek or pita.
We also specialize in the preparation of dishes from wild plants in combination with vegetables, fish and meat.

Soft drinks are included with all meals and for dinner, each person can have 1 free alcoholic drink per dinner. We have our own Schnapps (Rakia. a traditional Serbian strong Schnapps), wine and beer.


Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all restrictions if given prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding lessons can be arranged for an extra fee - please inquire.

Horses
We currently have 13 horses of various breeds, They are small to medium sized, strong hearted animals, especially suitable for trail and endurance riding. Our horses are sure footed on rough ground, which helps the rider to cover greater distances with less effort.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
We pick you up from Belgrade airport and transfer you to our farm. In the evening, welcome dinner with everyone.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 2 (Sunday): Ride to "Domacinstvo Jankovic" in Belo Polje
After breakfast, we head out from our farm in Kamenica and begin our ride through the villages of Ljuljaci and Konjusa to Belo Polje. There, we are welcomed and by a very nice family, who have devoted themselves to farm tourism for many years. After an interesting cultural exchange, culinary delights and a glimpse into their lovingly restored farm, we ride back to our farm. We ride mostly over dirt roads, partly through wooded parts or along forest edges. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 3 (Monday): Ride around Kafana Ljubisa in Kamenica
Today, we explore our village (Kamenica). Our farm is on the top of one of the foothills, at the foot of Mount Rudnik. The second larger part of Kamenica lies in the valley and the 3rd settlement lies on the second mountain foothills, which is over 700m above sea level. Even more homesteads are scattered throughout. We ride by past excavation sites of old churches and enjoy several unforgettable views from the hilltops. If the whole group would like to, we shall visit the wine cellar Katanic, where guests will have the opportunity to taste and buy a good wine.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 4 (Tuesday): Ride to Vracevsnica
Today's destination is Vracevsnica, a well-known monastery which was built in 1428. In the monastery we are asked by nuns to join them for their lunch (vegetarian, but nonetheless amazingly tasty food). After lunch, the nuns will open the monastery's museum for us. In the museum, we will get an even deeper insight into the history of the monastery, but also into the Serbian history. After our visit, we ride back to Kamenica. On this day we ride a good part over a wooded hill, but also over field and village roads and past farms.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 5 (Wednesday): Ride to House of Colovic in Mala Vrbica
This morning, we ride through Knezevac to Bare, where a lovely family will receive us. Our host family has been professionally involved in farm and riding tourism and actually are the pioneers of horse trails in Serbia. Their farm house and property is simply charming and will give our horses and us the best possibilities to have a delicious lunch and, I am sure, some interesting, informative chats. Our paths are leading over hills, fields, partly through wooded parts or along forest edges and old villages where time stands still.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 6 (Thursday): Ride to Hunters Lodge in Ljuljaci
We ride South of our farm, to a hunters lodge. We will stop there for a good lunch. Today's trail is mainly through the open countryside, Serbian villages and typical farms. On the way to the lodge, we pass by a monastery and an old intact Serbian village school. The hunters lodge is small but full of character with warm and authentic hosts. The food is tasty and the view extends into the distance. After the meal and the little break, we ride comfortably back to our farm, where the dinner will be served in due time.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 7 (Friday): Ride to cellar TIM, Ramaca 
For our last riding day, we ride to Ramaca, a sleepy village which lies over 800m above sea level. Two wooded, pointed hills adorn the village peak. In Ramaca, we will visit a church which has been put under government protection since 1955 and then we will stop for lunch. On the way back, we will visit a collection of objects created by some villagers with half precious stones from the area. On the return journey, guests can enjoy one last time the lush and unique Serbian landscape and look forward to the last shared meal.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
We serve the farewell breakfast and depending on the time of departure, we transfer our guests in time to the airport in Belgrade.
Meals included: Breakfast



Non-Riding Activities
Because we are surrounded by nature outdoor activities such as cycling (free for guests), hiking, walking and jogging can easily be done. We also have some quad bikes to rent (extra fee: 23 euros for 45 min).
If you still have not sweated enough, or if you are simply a sauna fan as we are, we will heat up our wood-heated sauna at an extra charge (10 euros per person). The sauna has room for 3 people lying, or 8 to 9 sitting. We are also satisfied owners of a massage table and have our own masseur (book in advance at extra fee: 29 euros for 1 hour).
There are also many interesting sights close by such as old monasteries, excavation sites, various Serbian markets, Mount Rudnik (1132m above sea level), the old ruins of Borac town, thermal baths, old Serbian farms and typical villages.
For photographers and painters there are countless sources of inspirations (please bring your own equipment).

Rates and Dates for Sumadija Explorer

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Kamenica
Airport: Belgrade
Transfer: Belgrade Airport

Climate:
                                                    Belgrade area