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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, flights have resumed to most Greek airports.
Flights to and from the United Kingdom began on July 15th, but may be stopped abruptly if random testing reveals a percentage of COVID-19 positive results deemed too high.
Flights from Turkey are banned through August 31st.
As of September 21st, the following restrictions apply:
- Non-European citizens are not allowed to enter Greece. Exceptions apply to flights from Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, and the United Arab Emirates.
- Passengers of flights from Bulgaria, Romania, U.A.E, Malta, Belgium, Spain, Albania, North Macedonia, Hungary and Israel will be required to have a negative molecular test result (PCR) for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece.
- Until October 5th, 2020, travellers arriving from Russia will have to show a negative molecular test (PCR) for COVID-19, taken up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece. Russian residents will have to repeat that test upon entering the country.
EU passport holders are allowed entry, including permanent residents of Schengen countries, plus Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK. Non-EU passport holders with EU permanent residence permits may enter Greece.
The Bulgarian Promachonas border station is open. All entrants must have a doctor’s certificate written in English and a negative molecular test for COVID-19 conducted no more than 72 hours prior.
The land borders with Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey is allowed for essential travel.
As of August 1st, cruise ships are allowed to dock at Piraeus, Rhodes, Heraklion Crete, Volos, Corfu and Katakolo harbours (as Ports of Entry).
Twenty four hours before entering Greece, visitors will have to fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) where they will provide their contact details in the country. Targeted and random testing will take place to aid the epidemiological research.
On July 9th, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted procedures for international arrivals: https://travel.gov.gr/#/
If you are tested for COVID-19, you are permitted to travel to your final destination where you must self quarantine for 24 hours. If positive, you will be notified and quarantined for 14 days. If negative, you will not be notified, and there are no additional quarantine restrictions.
Measures taken by the government
The Greek government announced its two-month plan in reopening Greece’s market in several stages. Greece’s return to normalcy will take place starting from May 4th with the opening of some shops and services, such as bookstores, electronic stores and hair salons. More shops and services will open on May 11th, continue to open on May 18th and then again on June 1st.
From June 1st and for the period of a month, stages 4 to 7 will be implemented. These stages will start lifting one by one the lockdown restrictions and reopen the market in the following order: shopping malls, outdoor restaurants, cafes, summer cinemas, year-round hotels, amusement parks, theme parks, outdoor playgrounds, indoor restaurants, indoor cafes, seasonal hotels and resorts, and indoor sports facilities.
A mask or facial cover is mandatory in public transportation, taxis, elevators, hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers. Masks are recommended in supermarkets, hair salons and other enclosed spaces.
Social distancing measures are in effect until further notice.
Travel by ferry to and from Greek islands is permitted. Masks are required. Passengers must complete a health status questionnaire and submit to a temperature check prior to boarding for trips longer than 30 minutes.
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 September 21st (checked on September 23rd)
US Embassy in Greece https://gr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on September 17th (checked on September 23rd)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx
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