Germany Fiakerhof Bavaria
The Fiakerhof is a traditional Bavarian farmhouse hotel in the heart of the famous ski town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Open all year for driving courses with the farm's Freiberger horses. Driving courses are offered for complete beginners with both theory and practice; try the three hour taster session for two people. Or take a course to advance your skills in a beautiful setting. Franz and Monika are perfect hosts for your introduction to driving and Bavaria. Close to the the Zugspitze ski arena you can combine learning to drive a horse drawn sleigh with skiing, Alpine or Cross country style. Even experienced carriage drivers will relish the opportunity to take the reins of the sleigh!
Three night and seven night courses are offered.
Taster carriage driving holidays:
Explore Garmisch-Partenkirchen with the reins in your hands
With waving manes and a gentle trot, the smell of sweet meadows and with the Alpine peaks in view: driving at Fiakerhof in the heart of alpine nature is a fantastic experience throughout the year . In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, it is possible,for you to take the box seat and steer a 2 horse-team over dirt roads and through the streets of this traditional Bavarian village. Three hours of instruction with Franz Erhardt will allow you to discover a slower pace of life in the Bavarian style.
For the learner carriage driver, courses run just as in a car driving school - the theory first, then practice. You will take a practice session on the "Carriage Simulator", and talk about how to communicate with your horses. Then comes the first experience of taking the real carriage seat, with two horsepower at the end of your reins, "Of course, horses respond well to the voice," says Franz- but more on tone and volume. " Let him show you how.
Franz Erhardt is a professional - a trained and State qualified carriage driver, Children from 10 upwards can be taught. How the course proceeds depends on the individual interests of the guests, it is Franz's intention to instill the necessary basic knowledge which will stay with you forever. He will demonstrate how to guide the team with one hand, the other hand is for the brake but also traditionally left free to greet the hutte owners, farmers and passers by. The tradition is mandatory- although for learner drivers an exception can be made!
Integral components on an introductory course are not just horses, carriage and harness: Also the experience of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is part of the programme. "I'm always give the guests a round trip of Partenkirchen across open fields to Hauasberg area with ski stadium and ski jumps. From Riessersee into Garmisch and from there back to the Fiakerhof. The learner driver, meanwhile, will have a break from the driver's seat on longer than 20 or 30 minute drives as a beginner can not usually keep the contact correct for too long.
The Horses: Swiss Freiberger - the lightest draft horse in Europe. The courses are arranged throughout the year that - in the winter by sleigh on a prepared track.
Extra activities:
Skiing in winter at Germany's principal ski resort, a ski bus to the lifts and Zugspitze ski arena operates regularly and is included in ski pass prices. The Fiakerhof can arrange for pre ordered ski passes to be collected from reception.
Riding is available 3 kms from the Fiakerhof. Franz and Monika can help you book this should you wish to enjoy the countryside from the saddle.
Hiking and Guided Walks: Garmisch is a wonderful Alpine destination and the Fiakerhof can recommend fantastic walks, the local tourist office offers 3 FREE guided walks weekly in summer.
Garmisch has so much to offer as Germany's principal mountain resort, the Olympic Ice stadium is here offering year round skating, there is summer tobogganing, a huge swimming complex and a range of excellent places to eat and try traditional Bavarian fare within a few minutes walk of the Fiakerhof. There is an extra long ski season here due to the proximity of the Zugspitze glacier where guaranteed snow can be found from October onwards.
Prices are based on two sharing a lovely double apartment room with buffet breakfast included. There are apartments that can take up to 4 people so please ask if you are a family or part of a larger group. Also solo drivers, please ask us for a quote for your tailored course.
3 day courses:
£365 per person to include driving each day and 3 nights Bed and Breakfast accommodation and transfer from Garmisch train station.
7 day courses:
£699 per person to include 7 nights B&B, driving each day and transfer from Garmisch train station.
For private car transfers direct from the airport add £105 per car each way (for up to four people) from Innsbruck and £165 per car each way from Munich.
Price excludes:
Price excludes flights and insurance.
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Getting there
The nearest airports are Innsbruck and Munich. There is an excellent direct train service from both to Garmisch Partenkirchen station from where you will be collected by the Fiakerhof. For private car transfers direct from the airport add £105 per car each way from Innsbruck and £165 per car each way from Munich.
Car hire: A week's car hire from Innsbruck costs from £150 www.holidayautos.co.uk
Flythomascook (London Gatwick and Manchester to Innsbruck).
British Airways (London Gatwick to Innsbruck, London Heathrow to Munich).
Austrian Airlines (London Heathrow to Innsbruck).
Easyjet (London Stansted to Munich).
Lufthansa (London Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester to Munich).
Inghams offer flight only deals to Innsbruck on Wednesday or Saturdays.
Lowcostseats - internet travel agent for charter flights offering good deals.
Jetnav - an independent website searching schedule services, budget airlines and some charters.
Dohop - searches charter and schedule services.
Travelocity - internet travel agents for schedule services.
We can advise on flying from other airports, train, car hire and self-drive options - please contact us.
Austrian train timetable.
Self-drive: Car rental can be booked easily and inexpensively online with Holiday Autos. Please tell us so that we can reduce the quote of your holiday.
Train travel: For everything you need to know about any train journey visit Seat Sixty-One.
What to bring
Comfortable trousers or jeans, sun cream, rain wear, gloves and sturdy boots.
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to Germany at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
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Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
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