| A Gypsy Caravan Holiday is an adventure! | | | | Space is limited in a vardo, therefore |
| It's an escape from the busy every-day | | | | you need to bring practical clothing and |
| life: imagine living in a Gypsy caravan | | | | only gear you really need and don't |
| for a few days, handling a horse and | | | | forget the wet wear, as in some areas |
| driving through an unspoiled, idyllic | | | | weather can be quiet unpredictable even |
| countryside. | | | | during the summer: spells of rain can |
| You can spend a holiday like this for | | | | occur at any time. Most hire companies |
| example in the United Kingdom, Ireland, | | | | give you bedding, but ask you to bring |
| Denmark, Germany, France, Czech | | | | your own towels. A good idea is also to |
| Republic, Switzerland and Hungary with | | | | bring your own sleeping bag. Take also a |
| different horse breeds and vardos in | | | | book or two and some games for the |
| different variations. | | | | children. A mobile phone for emergencies |
| How can I book, how does it work? | | | | is a good idea. Also, Bank facilities |
| There are hire-companies and travel | | | | and ATM's are usually not passed during |
| agencies that offer you a trip with a | | | | the trip (the routes are quite well |
| fully fitted and very practical Gypsy | | | | selected and you will travel on calm, |
| caravan for the holiday together with | | | | more remote roads.) |
| usually one horse, sometimes two. | | | | You will drive along a fix route and |
| Bow top wagons, made out of wood and | | | | check in at selected over night stops, |
| stretched canvas are used preferably. | | | | where you will find grazing for the |
| These vehicles are about 5m long | | | | horse, electricity, shower and toilet |
| (without horse) and approx. 2m wide. | | | | facilities. |
| They can weigh up to 750kg. In most | | | | When is the best time to travel? How |
| places Irish Cobs or Gypsy draft horses | | | | much does it cost approximately? |
| are used, as they are very well | | | | Gypsy caravan holiday operations are |
| tempered, calm and very good with | | | | open from April to October, with a main |
| children. In a lot of cases a collar | | | | season in the summer months July - |
| harness is used. | | | | August. |
| What, if I haven't got any experience | | | | Prices in 2007 were around £500 (£600 |
| with horses? | | | | in high season) per week and caravan and |
| Everyone gets an initial thorough | | | | they will usually ask for approx.10 - 15 |
| introduction into functionality of the | | | | % deposit. There will be surcharges for |
| vardo and handling and caring for the | | | | the compulsory over night stops, which |
| horse. It will be explained to you how | | | | might be between £15-20 per caravan. |
| to harness up and put the horse onto the | | | | You can book short trips over 2 or 3 |
| caravan, how to feed and water it, how | | | | days or longer ones over 4 or 6 days. If |
| to groom and how to look after hooves | | | | you enjoy it very much, trips can be |
| and hoof shoes. | | | | prolonged in most cases. |
| What do I need to bring with me? | | | | |