Francisca's adventures in Greece!
This past March I decided to travel to Greece and spend a couple of weeks in this wonderful country. While in Crete, I was welcomed by our partners at Velani and I can now share the full experience with you! And who knows… maybe you will be adding Greece to your riding destinations for 2024!
The Velani Experience
I arrived on a Sunday and I could feel a genuine “family atmosphere” at
the hotel. Sabine shared with me that on Sundays, it has become a bit of a tradition
for Cretan families to gather in the restaurant to enjoy the local cuisine and
I later found out what the fuss was all about!
Being the wonderful host that she is,
Sabine took me on a tour of the property until we found our way to my room. I
stayed in one of the furthest rooms, which I appreciated. Despite being just a
minute away from the restaurant, it felt like my own private nook, allowing me
to truly connect with nature. The landscape was absolutely stunning, and I
experienced a deep sense of peace.
The accommodation itself was very
comfortable. The room featured a double bed, a cosy sitting area with a
fireplace, and a spacious bathroom. On the nightstand, I discovered a menu that
introduced me to the various SPA treatments available during my stay.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the pleasure of taking advantage in these services
myself, but I received positive feedback from a couple of guests who highly
recommended the olive oil massage.
Later that day, I walked to
the restaurant and met the other guests who would be joining me during those
few days. The group was friendly, and we got to chatting right away. As we talked, we
discovered that (coincidentally!) everyone shared a love for horses.
Eventually, we were introduced to our guide, Vladimir, who joined us for
dinner. Vladimir is a knowledgeable horseman with numerous stories to share
about his own adventures.
Although the conversation
was pleasant, as soon as the food started to arrive, everyone's focus shifted.
As a Portuguese person, I can relate to the claims of being a
"foodie," and I must say that I have high standards when it comes to
food. Let me tell you: I was not disappointed! Each meal consisted of different
dishes, including starters and main courses, and everyone was delighted and
amazed by the quality of the ingredients used, from the olive oil to the herbs,
sauces, and greens.
Exploring Crete!
This
time around, I joined the standard centre-based programme in which you explore
the surroundings of Velani. The days were quite relaxing, and we rode around
3-4 hours daily. The schedule of the day usually followed the same pattern.
Everyone met in the restaurant for breakfast and then gathered around the
stables to start preparing the horses. While we got ready, Vladimir would share
the highlights of the itinerary, so we knew what we were going to see that day.
Once
everyone was ready, we would take the horses to the arena, prepare the line-up,
and then we were off exploring! At
the beginning, I was slightly apprehensive, but as time went by the feeling
started to fade away, replaced by growing excitement. Each day we rode to
different places, including a Roman Aqueduct and the archaeological site of
Lyttos. As we went from one spot to the next, Vladimir would share a few
stories and myths about the locations, which really made the experience feel
more enriching.
Personally, my favorite ride was the one that took us to Aposelemis’ Lake. After getting
the horses ready, we made our way to the Psiloritis mountains. As we climbed
through winding dirt roads and olive groves, the view gradually got better and
better until we got a fantastic panoramic view of the island. On our way down,
we had to dismount and lead the horses on foot for a few minutes before finally
arriving at the lake. We had a fun canter on the road that follows the lakeside
and stopped by the deserted village of Sfendily before starting the journey
back to the stables.
Although
my visit was quite brief, my stay was delightful, and I am very thankful for
Sabine and her team’s warm welcome.
A Few Suggestions...
Here are a few remarks/tips
to keep in mind if you are considering joining this riding holiday:
- Please don’t forget to bring a good sunscreen! I really thought I could get away with a 30 UVA protection but it was not enough. If you really want to be extra careful, bring a long-sleeve shirt.
- ·The Wi-Fi connection is good enough for some browsing but if you are planning to use the spare time to work I wouldn’t say this is the ideal match for you.
- ·Consider renting a car. This holiday is centre-based and you only ride in the morning which means you have the entire afternoon off. Although the pool and SPA are available, there is still quite some time left for you to explore the island.
- If you are looking for a peaceful retreat with some riding in the mix, this ride would be a good match. However if you prefer something more active and engaging, the Lassithi Trail ride, also operated by the same equestrian hotel, is probably a better option.
More information
You may find more about this relaxing riding holiday on its respective page on our website.
To find out more about other rides in Greece, please visit our website. You can also contact us directly at info@equus-journeys.com or give us a call on +44 (0)1905 388 977
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