Horseback Riding in Greece
PELION COAST RIDE |
If ever you are lucky enough to visit the beautiful land of Greece you will find a country haunted by more than three thousand years of history, legend and myth. It seems appropriate to be exploring on horseback this land which was the home of the centaur. On sturdy native horses you can absorb the Pelion's beauty and serenity, swim in little coves of the Aegean Sea, scale rocky slopes on which are perched remote villages with narrow streets and friendly people, and follow ancient pathways through olive groves and shaded forests.
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Arrive Athens by 2.00 p.m. and transfer north 5-6 hours to the small town of Katigoirgis at the south end of the Pelion Peninsula. Dinner at a fisherman’s tavern on the coast. Overnight in a bungalow surrounded by a pine forest with a view across the Aegean Sea to Skiathos Island. |
| Day 2: | Ride out on sandy trails through pine forests, olive groves and small cultivated fields to the village of Lafkos. Dinner in the town square with the friendly local people where life goes on late into the night. (3 ½ hours riding) |
| Day 3: | Depart the cobbled streets and whitewashed walls of Lafkos, following dirt roads and trails toward the Bay of Volos. The paths wind through typical Mediterranean vegetation and small cleared plots. Ride through the narrow cobbled streets of Argolasti for a peak into local lives. Continue on narrow trails through woods, and olive groves to the coastal village of Lefokastro. Dinner in the patio of a tavern along the sea front. (4 ½ hours riding)
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| Day 4: | Ride along the coast to the small town of Afissos. The villages clustered along the coast are characterized by whitewashed houses, potted flowers, blue sea and rocky outcrops. Lunch in the dappled light of an olive grove. Turn inland and begin the climb toward the mountain town of Vizitsa. The cobbled paths and narrow dirt roads wind upwards through olive-covered slopes, apple orchards and into deciduous forests. Vizitsa clings to the wooded mountain slopes, with narrow cobbled streets ascending steeply from the main square. Spend the night in a guesthouse which is several centuries old and typical of the mountain villages. (5 hours riding and hiking)
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| Day 5: | Today's ride follows ancient cobbled trails through the tranquility of deciduous forests dominated by beech and chestnut trees. The air is cooler and the villages are more distant. Begin the descent toward the sea, leading the horses where the trails are steep and rocky. Spend the night in a hotel perched above the rugged coast south of Mylopotamos. (5 - 6 hours riding and hiking)
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| Day 6: | The day begins a little earlier than usual, as this is the longest day of riding. The route winds south along the coast before curving inland following donkey trails and narrow dirt roads. Even today the trails are often the quickest means of transportation between these isolated villages. Picnic lunch enroute before riding across the rolling hills to Potistika, a village on the east coast of the peninsula. After the long day's ride a welcome dinner is served in the hotel's small restaurant. A handful of local men gathered around the radio and fishing nets drying on the patio contribute to the hotel's genuine atmosphere. (7 hours riding)
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| Day 7: | Weather permitting, today's adventure begins with a short bareback ride to the shore. Swim the horses in the calm blue waters of the Aegean Sea, and spend the morning relaxing on the beautiful beach. The horses look forward to the swim, and a roll in the pale sand. After lunch, tack up and begin the final ride back to Katigiorgis. Dinner and overnight as on the first day. (3 ½ hours riding, plus swimming)
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| Day 8: | After an early breakfast departure for Athens. As this is a 6 hour drive, do not book flights departing Athens earlier than 3.00 p.m. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Athens or Skiathos Airport |
| Length of Ride | 8 days, 7 nights and 6 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-4 Maximum-6 |
| Riding Per Day | 4-7 hours |
| Pace | Leisurely. The pace is fairly slow, but at times one must climb on foot so it requires stamina. |
| Tack | English |
| Horses | Local |
| Weight Limit | 200 lbs |
| 2010 Dates | May 28-June 4, June 11-18, September 10-17, September 24-October 1, October 8-15 |
| 2010 Price | $1,725
NEW DISCOUNTED PRICE: $1,525 |
| Single Supplement | $270 NEW DISCOUNT: $240 |
| Transfers | Additional charge from Athens TBA |
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