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Last Update: 06 Aug 2010

Riding Holidays | Greece

Greece is one of the top European tourist destinations and is well known for its ancient civilisation, mythology and architectural ruins, together with its enormous contributions to the arts, languages, science and sports. It has a diverse regional culture and architecture and the countryside is mainly mountainous, with valleys of vineyards and a stunning coastline full of quiet coves.

Picture a horse riding holiday in Greece and we think of riding in warm sunshine past whitewashed villages, amongst olive groves and quiet forests or along scenic mountain tracks down onto sandy beaches. There are many riding holiday destinations, particularly on the larger Greek Islands, although the eastern Pelion Peninsular on the mainland also has lovely horse trails available.

The southern Greek islands provide idyllic locations for relaxing coastal horse riding and exhilarating beach rides. Imagine yourself on horseback splashing through foaming surf along the waters edge, or swimming your horse in the Mediterranean Sea. The island of Crete has quite a number of professional equestrian centres offering horse riding instruction and day treks as well as week long riding holiday packages. Trail rides here take you through places such as the Dikti Mountains and the Lagada Valley, past the lake of Kournas and Argiroupoli's Waterfalls, or in the south of the island through olive groves and deserted beaches. Many centres offer an afternoon swimming your horse to cool off after the heat of midday.

Naxos has several circular mobile trail rides taking in the best of the island. These trails combine interesting riding with visits to some of the main cultural sites on the island. Choose a week long riding holiday on the island of Kephalonia, or visit Paros for fantastic beach riding and swimming on horseback. Skiathos also has a horse riding holiday available combining arena riding lessons and short trail rides into the countryside.