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Horseback riding vacations in
Greece
Greece – the cradle of the ancient world and civilization – has long been a popular and memorable holiday destination. Hidden Trails has brought together some of the best horse riding holidays in Greece, so you can experience the magic of this time honored country on horseback. All of our horse riding vacations in Greece explore the landscapes of mythology – whether it’s the coastline of Crete, ancient olive groves, or rugged mountain paths. Take a step back in time on a once in a lifetime Grecian horseback vacation.
Greece is a holiday destination par excellence. Home of ancient mythology, the Olympian gods, classical scholars, and philosophers like Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, lovers of history will find much to appreciate. Appropriately, Greece is also the home of the centaur - the legendary creature said to be half man and half horse.
With historical landmarks at every turn Greece offers the opportunity to visit Athens, the Acropolis and the Parthenon – historical sites of extreme importance.
Away from the mainland, beautiful Greek Islands beckon to be explored. Santorini, Crete and Mykonos are but a few.
Horse Riding in Greece and Crete
The largest of all the Greek Islands is Crete. It is here that Hidden Trails offers its Greek horse riding holidays - the Crete Explorer Ride, the Panorama Ride, and the Sea, Sun and Moonlight Ride.
Crete is almost a country in its own right and Cretans regard themselves as a race apart. A big part of what makes Crete so special is the proud people, amongst the most hospitable in Greece, with a long tradition of welcoming strangers.
The island is ruggedly beautiful, with fertile coastal plains and resort towns overshadowed by towering mountains, still snow-capped in early spring. Crete is major tourist destination with two international airports linked by a fine north-coast highway, excellent beaches of all kinds, great nightlife and some of the best places for eating out in whole Greece. The biggest cities in Crete are Chania, Rethymno, Iraklion and Agios Nikolaos on the North part of the island. There are also many harbor towns (including Ierapetra) in the south part of the island. Iraklion is Crete's main city and has a population of over 120,000.
As well as exquisite horse riding vacations, you can also visit several ancient Minoan sites including Knossos, home of the fabled Minotaur, and the longest gorge in Europe at Samaria.
From Crete you can also visit the beautiful neighboring island of Santorini, which some believe is the legendary lost city of Atlantis.
Greece Climate and Weather
The island of Crete has a temperate Mediterranean climate meaning it experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. Crete has the mildest climate of anywhere in Greece. Summer sees almost no rain, while winter months, especially December to February, can be quite wet. Average temperatures are at their peak in July and August at 26 ºC while January and February see temperatures of 12 ºC on average.
Explore more European Horse Riding Vacations
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Holidays on horseback in Greece
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Below is a list of our trips in this area with video clips.
 Click on the 'watch video' icon
to view a video clip,
Crete Mountain Explorer Ride
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Ride across Crete through the mountains to the Libyan Sea.Surrounded by the clear and blue Mediterranean seas and with its rough and wild rolling landscape of mountains reaching 2,5 km high, you will find horseback riding here on Crete is rather special.
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Trip Details
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Greece
Travel restrictions
As of July 1st 2020, flights have resumed to most Greek airports.
Effective December 19th 2021, travelers to Greece will be required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours or a laboratory rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of arrival to Greece. This testing requirement will apply to all travelers age 5 or above regardless of vaccination status or method of entry to Greece.
For the protection of passengers and citizens from COVID-19, the following restrictions apply until January 24th 2022:
- The residents of European Union & Schengen Area countries, the USA, the UK, Serbia, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the Russian Federation, Israel, Canada, North Macedonia, Ukraine, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Belarus, Bahrain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Japan, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Jordan, Moldova, Brunei, San Marino, Andorra, Vatican City, Monaco, Turkey, Kosovo, Chinese Taipei, Argentina, India, Uruguay, the Sultanate of Oman, Mexico, and Chile may visit Greece for pleasure.
- All flight passengers must fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at any time before their departure for Greece.
Upon arrival, the residents of the above mentioned countries will have to show:
- a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19, issued by their country's national authority, in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language, on the condition that a fourteen (14) day period has elapsed since these passengers were fully vaccinated;
OR
- a negative result to a molecular PCR test for Covid-19, taken within 72 hrs before their entry in Greece, or a negative rapid test taken within 48 hrs before their arrival, issued by an accredited testing laboratory in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian language;
OR
- a medical certificate of a COVID-19 infection, issued by a national authority / an accredited testing laboratory, in the English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Russian language. The certificate can be issued 30 days after the positive test result and it is valid for six months.
Travellers from abroad may also carry an EU Digital Covid-19 Certificate or a Covid-19 Certificate from a third country, in either printed or electronic form, which will include information related to their vaccination, or the result of their PCR or rapid test taken before travelling, or the details about their Covid-19 infection.
The above prerequisites for entering Greece (vaccination certificate or negative PCR/rapid test or certificate of recovery from Covid-19) also apply to children aged 5 and older.
Flight passengers will be subject to random testing (rapid tests) as per the procedure described in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). If a traveller tests positive, then they will have to quarantine for ten (10) days. International flight passengers, who have been fully vaccinated and the rapid test they take upon arrival is positive, will have to self-isolate for seven (7) days. In both cases, self-isolated travellers will have to show a negative result to a molecular PCR test on the last day of their quarantine, in order for the quarantine to be lifted.
Air travellers arriving from Egypt, Albania, Argentina, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Georgia, Cuba, the United Arab Emirates, India, China, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, and Turkey - irrespective of their citizenship - will have to do a test upon arrival at the airport. If the rapid test result is positive, then the passenger will have to take a molecular PCR test to confirm the result. This procedure does not apply to passengers who are vaccinated or have recovered from a Covid-19 infection (except for Russian, Argentine, and Indian residents, as above).
Measures taken by the government
Greek officials announced that several restrictions have been relaxed as of May 14th 2021. Changes announced include:
- Travel between regions in Greece is permitted. In continental Greece, self-tests are recommended for travel by land but not required. Travelers going to Greek islands must present documentation (proof of full vaccinations or negative PCR test no older than 72h or negative rapid / self-test no older than 24h).
- Museums are allowed to reopen. Retail stores may operate without requiring appointments, though limitations on capacity will apply to allow for social distancing. Restaurants are open for outdoor dining.
The nighttime curfew is no longer in effect as of June 28th 2021.
As of November 6th 2021, the Government of Greece has restricted access for unvaccinated individuals for many categories of businesses and public services if they cannot prove vaccination. Customers seeking access to banks, public services, retail shops, restaurants (including outdoor cafes), entertainment facilities, and hair salons will be required to present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or documentation of recovery from COVID-19.
The Tourism Ministry has clarified by press release that individuals vaccinated in countries that do not belong to the European Certificate program may enter these businesses by presenting their printed or electronic vaccination certificate.
Unvaccinated individuals age 12 and above seeking access to these facilities will need to show evidence of a negative lab rapid test or PCR test to enter.
As of Monday, November 22nd 2021, the Government of Greece will restrict access for unvaccinated individuals for many categories of businesses and public services if they cannot prove vaccination. Customers seeking access to banks, public services, retail shops, restaurants (including outdoor cafes), entertainment facilities, and hair salons are required to present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or documentation of recovery from COVID-19. Under the new rules, unvaccinated individuals:
- Cannot access/enter: enclosed eating areas, entertainment facilities (cinemas, theaters), museums, exhibition centers, fitness centers and sports venues.
- Can enter only by presenting evidence of a negative lab rapid test or PCR test: churches, schools, public and private sector places of work, retail shops, hair salons, outdoor eating areas will be required to present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or documentation of recovery from COVID-19. Children aged 5-11 will need to have evidence of a negative self-test via the Self-Test Declaration form.
- Can enter with no documentation required: supermarkets, bakeries, sweet shops, pharmacies and urban public transportation.
Greek authorities continue to enforce other restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including restrictions on certain business and entertainment operations, restrictions on the size of gatherings, and capacity limitations for public transport and businesses. Masks are required everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
Testing
COVID-19 tests are available at many major hospitals in Greece, as well as the Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (at Arrivals level between entrances 2-3). Testing is paid by the individual being tested. The cost for COVID-19 PCR tests is capped at 60 euros.
Patients needing COVID-19 tests or exhibiting possible symptoms may contact the COVID-19 hotline at 1135 for guidance on testing and referral for medical care.
Travelers are recommended to contact testing centers in advance for appointments and not expect to be able to test and receive results the day of travel.
Test results may be delivered by e-mail or in hard copy provided in person; consult with the testing facility regarding the method results are communicated for your specific circumstance.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
While in Greece, if you notice any symptoms related to COVID-19, please call the National Public Health Organization in 1135.
Source:
Destination Greece - Health First https://greecehealthfirst.gr/
Published on January 17th 2022 (checked on January 19th 2022)
US Embassy in Greece https://gr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on January 19th 2022 (checked on January 19th 2022)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx
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