Stationary riding holiday
Greece, Crete Island
The Panorama Rides
Odysseia Stables offers a hotel based, stationary riding holiday in Greece, on the island of Crete.
Stay in Country Hotel Velani*** and ride out every day for a day ride in the Langada Valley.
Here in the area around Avdou there is unlimited space for horse riding, you ride through the quietness of the nature and Cretan Country side with small villages. We ride active through the olive groves and hills, ride along Lake Aposelemis, visit the ancient site of Lyttos, and climb up the mountains to visit Kera.
Every day we set out on a new track, with our four legged friend.
Horseback riding on beautiful well trained holiday horses with an experienced guide.
This stationary riding holiday is suitable for medium to experienced riders. You must be able to control your horse in a trot and canter riding outdoors in a group.
Stay the week on the unique hill side location in Country Hotel Velani*** with panoramic view to lake Aposelemis with swimming pool and restaurant with local products.
A hotel based riding holiday
Intinerary
Riding program is offered in ad randem order, as riders can arrive at every day of the week.
Day 1. Arrival day.
Welcome at Country Hotel Velani*** .
Holidays starts with an evening diner.
Day 2. Ancient Lyttos Ride.
Horse riding 4 hours, including a visit to Lyttos.
We ride up hill to visit the archaeological site of the ancient city of Lyttos giving an excellent view over the valley of Kastelli. The city of Lyttos (meaning high, tall), was a strong minoan town and a rival of Knossos. The city was already mentioned by Homer as Lyktos. During the roman period Lyttos was an autonomous city with great fame. It had an aqua duct, theatre and acropolis, nowadays little can be seen of this as excavations of the site has not been done yet. The site has 2 Bysantyne churches. After the visit we ride along the remains of this roman aqua duct.
Day 3, Ride over Mochos Plateau.
Horse riding 3 hours.
We make an active trip in north direction, past the Bysantine church. We ride up the olive hills reaching the Mochos Plateau.
We ride active over the plateau and ride back through the village of Avdou.
Day 4, Lake Aposelemis.
Horse riding 4 hours.
We ride through the village of Avdou up the hills of Sfendili. Cretan country side with a view to the Dikti peaks and the Psiloritis Mountains, the last one is the highest peak of the island. We decent down to the Lake Aposelemis and follow the water. Passing the deserted village of Sfendily.
Day 5, Agia Foteinie Ride.
Horse riding 3 hours, including a visit to the cave of Saint Fotinie.
A spectaculair climb up the mountain giving an excellent view over the Langada valley with Lake Aposelemis. With good weather we even see the Sea. We ride through Kerm Oak forest to visit the mysterious Church of the Saint Fotini which is hidden deep into a Cave.
Day 6, Kera ride.
Horse riding 5 hours, with lunch in Kera.
We ride through the gorge of Gonies (Rosas Gorge) to start our spectacular climb to the Greek village of Kera at 800 meters. In spring time on the walls of the gorge you can find the nests from the Griffon Vultures. In Kera we make a lunch break in Restaurant Niki, before we start our decent along the springs of Kera. A day with beautiful scenery.
Day 7, Cypress Ride.
Horse riding 3 hours.
The last day we ride out through a very quiet beautiful valley full of olive groves, we ride along a small cypress forest and make some steep ascents with the horses which we now fully trust.
Day 8, Departure day.
Breakfast and departure.
The day rides of this holiday are offered in ad randem order.
Details
The horseback riding holiday is 7 nights/8 days/6 horse riding days with a total of 22 hours in the saddle.
The riding holiday can also be booked with more or less number of nights.
The horse riding holidays are complete with:
- Stay in Country Hotel Velani***, charming small hotel with infinity swimming pool.
- Full Board with breakfast, lunch and diner a la carte in the Velani Restaurant.
- Horse riding on good horses with a professional guide.
Dates
The Panorama rides can be reserved the entire year, with the exception of the hot months july and august.
In these warm summer months we offer the Sun and Riding.
Prices 2024
Prices are based on 2 guests staying in a Classic double room.
Single room occupation is available at an extra charge.
Riders travelling alone can also choose to share a room with another rider of the same sex.
Prices per week:
Panorama Rides 1.370 € p/p, high season 1.440 € p/p.
Non rider with full board stay 770 € p/p, high season 840 € p/p.
Single room supplement + 245 €.
Deluxe room supplement + 455 €.
Wellness room supplement + 910 €.
Superior wellness room supplement +1.050 €.
Low season, 8 January – 16 March 2024.
High season, 17 March – 2 November 2024.
Low season, 3 November – 20 December 2024.
High season, 21 December – 8 January 2025.
Before reserving please have a look at our terms and conditions.
