Greece - Sun and Riding, Crete

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from US of London on 18/08/2021

The area around Avdou offers unlimited space for horse riding, perfectly located in the quietness of nature, with each ride on a different route.

Enjoy daily two-hour rides in the cool of the afternoon. Discover the valley of Langada and the traditional Greek village of Avdou with its Byzantine church. Climb the mountains for an excellent view over the stables and the valley. Ride through Kerm Oak forests to visit the mysterious Church of the Saint Fotini which is hidden deep in a cave, followed by a fast canter over the plateau of Mochos. This active holiday combines all the good things of Cretan life; relaxing on the beach or swimming in the pool, visiting ancient sites, meet the locals, and (of course) enjoy the Greek cuisine.

This program is ideal for families or riders travelling with non-riders. Non-riding activities include golf, mountain climbing, caving or paragliding. Short rides on Welsh ponies can be booked locally for children 8-11 years. Unfortunately no riding for children under 8-years old

The Children's Fun Week
This programme is for children from 8 – 11 years old and ideal way to keep the kid's occupied while their parents relax or take part in another activity.
The programme includes 6 days riding and runs in the cooler hours. Each day has a half-hour private lesson in the lunge ring, or an hour in a group. Group and lunging lessons depend on the experience and ability of the children. Other activities include mounted games, vaulting, riding to music, grooming, riding bareback and water games. Children can also help with brushing and feeding of the horses.

Children older than 12 years can book the normal riding program.

Non-rider and other activities:
In the area are sandy beaches, water sports, an 18 hole golf course, para-gliding, shops and caving; all within 10 miles. From the hotel and stables, there is mountain biking and hiking.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The stable has two Arabs, one Berber, two Thoroughbreds, four Dutch warm bloods, four Greek warm bloods, and one Hanoverian for the guide. Their sizes vary from 14hh to 16hh. The riding style is English and the horses are generally ridden with a relaxed, long rein. For the children there is a Welsh pony (section B). The warmbloods and thoroughbreds are ideal for long distance riding. All horses are well tempered, strong and in excellent conditions making them ideal for the mountains.

The pace of the riding is dictated by the terrain, steady on steep mountainous areas, faster on the flat. Due to the size of the stables, the ride can only accept a maximum of 10 riders a week. This means that the hosts are able to maintain close and personal contact with the guests.

The stables are built with natural stone, like the hotel, and are designed to cater to all the physical needs of the horses.

The facilities include:

14 stables with connected behind turnout paddocks giving the horses themselves the choice to go inside or outside.

Outdoor arena, 42 x 20m with an all-weather proof floor and a small tribune.

Outdoor arena, 15 x 12m, for lunging.

Tack room

A horse shower

Bathroom/changing-room and toilets for the guests.

Most of the horses are stabled in pairs in 1 large stable of 6, 20 x 3, 20 m. The roof all around is open giving the horses a constant flow of fresh air.

All levels of rider can be accommodated. Children under 8 years old are not able to ride and there is a separate children's programme for 8-12 year olds. Children older than 12 can join the adult programme. Max weight 90kgs.

The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The base hotel is well suited to its surrounding as it is built in neo-classic style from the area's natural stone from the area. The main building houses the reception and a cafe with a large balcony where you can enjoy a Greek coffee or Rakí. In the main building is the restaurant with its large terrace overlooking the valley. The restaurant serves fresh home cooked food with organically grown vegetables and fruit from its own gardens, including olive oil pressed from the farm's own olives. Local products from nearby farms is regularly used.

The 12 hotel rooms are grouped into 2 bungalows each housing 6 rooms. The bungalows are separate from the main building and the rooms are large and comfortable, with a tremendous view over the valley. Each room has a large bathroom with bathtub. The rooms have central heating and air conditioning (both included in the price), a fridge, a flat screen tv with international channels, a hairdryer, a large glass door of 2m and a private balcony or terrace. Most rooms are equipped with a wood stove (the wood is not included in the price). The large natural 100 m2 swimming pool is situated next to the main building (unheated and open all year), and also a separate children’s pool of 11m2 (40 cm deep). The sun beds are free to use. There is a free WIFI internet connection in the main building and on the terrace.

Check-in at the hotel is all day but please be aware that rooms will only be ready from 14h00. Guests are required to vacate their room by 10h30 on the last day, but are welcome to spend the day at the hotel until the transfer flight home.

The price of the holiday includes all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8, however meals outside of this time can be purchased on-site from the restaurant. You can expect a continental breakfast with coffee, tea or hot chocolate, fresh bread, butter, jams, cheese, ham and orange juice.

Picnic lunches are prepared by your hosts for you to take along in your saddle bags each day. It is recommended you bring a water bottle to take with you.

Dinner includes a starter, main dish and a salad. Vegetarians can be catered for with advance notice, any other dietary requirements need to be checked before booking. Avdou is situated 9 miles from the sea and the lively holiday centre Chersonissos. Here you can find all the modern facilities you might need e.g. banks; a private medical centre, water sports and souvenir shops. In the Bay of Chersonissos there are several small sandy beaches. The wide sandy beach lies on the west side of Chersonissos reachable by bike, scooter or car. The beaches are child friendly and some have coast guards.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. There are rules about taking food and drink into the EU. See Taking food and drink into the EU for further information. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece In the USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/greece

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

Crete has 300 days of sunshine a year and very mild winters and hot summers. Be prepared for cold and snow in the mountains in the winter time although this is unlikely.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

There are rules about taking food and drink into the EU. See Taking food and drink into the EU for further information.

There is a risk of West Nile virus in some parts of Greece. You should consider preventative measures to minimise exposure to mosquitoes.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Greece and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites.

While pharmacies across the country stock a good supply of medicines, you should make sure you have sufficient medical supplies (including prescription medicines) for the duration of your stay and any unforeseen delays, adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 or 166 and ask for an ambulance

No specific health requirements - just bring plenty of suncream!

In Greece the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

Good quality film is widely available for purchase as well as batteries (normal, alkaline and lithium). There is free WiFi throughout the building and a computer and printer available to use.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:
ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
- Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards (some locations can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
- Riding boots designed for riding and walking
- Riding gloves
- Chaps
- At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
- Long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone

Ride specific:
- Fleece - Although the weather is generally very warm, the evenings can be a bit cooler
- Warm layers - At times the evening temperature drops significantly
- Casual Clothes - for when out of the saddle
- Swimwear
- insect repellent

Can be provided by hosts:
Riding Helmets

The hotel rooms are cleaned daily and towels and sheets are changed once a week. The sun beds around the pool are free to use.

8d / 7n programme with 6 riding days. This ride is available all year round except when the Guided Lasithi Trail is running.

2025: Available all year including July and August (hot months)
High Season 15 Mar - 2 Nov; 20 Dec - 7 Jan 2026
Low Season 3 - 23 Nov
Closed 8 Jan - 14 Mar; 23 Nov - 19 Dec

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Reading List

We're avid readers here at Unicorn Trails and have selected several books connected to this ride. If you're interested in reading more about the area before you travel, or want to get into the cultural background, here are some suggestions that may inspire you. Click on the links for more information.

Winds of Crete - David MacNeill Doren

The Chania Town News - Douglas Bullis 

Last Temptation and Zorba The Greek - Nikos Kazantzakis

The King Must Die and The Bull From The Sea - Mary Renault

The moment you arrive on the hillside of the country hotel you immediately experience the serene quietness and the tremendous panoramic view. Under you stretches the Lagada Valley with the Apposelemis River crossing through, and above you the red coloured peaks rise out of the Dikti Mountains. Birds of prey, like the Griffon Vulture, glide along these peaks.

The estate is surrounded by a protected Kerm Oak forest and olive groves stretching down to the valley. Various wild life and many birds can be found on the estate along with protected trees, mushrooms and flowers such as the different types of beautiful orchids.

Greece is located in south-eastern Europe bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. Greece shares borders to the east with Turkey and to the north with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bulgaria and Albania. The climate is temperate, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

Modern Greece, as an independent national entity, came into being in 1829 after a protracted independence struggle against the Ottoman Empire. Greece has been fighting for territory with Turkey ever since, continuing in their battle over the split island of Cyprus.

Ancient Greece has given the world democracy, the Olympic Games, theatre and a high literary culture through great works by Homer and some of the greatest philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato. However this was not just a world of sobriety and high academia. The Greek god of wine for example, Dionysus, was a hell raiser who encouraged the local townswomen to dance naked through the street in his honour. Hugely debauched festivals were held in his honour and some of that spirit has definitely been passed down through the generations and has found itself still celebrated in the tavernas across the country.

Greece is two hours ahead of GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code for Greece is +30.