Greek Island Escape

8 Days | From £915pp

Greece ( Best airport: Rhodes, Greece)

Nestled deep in the Aegean sea is the perfect holiday island of Rhodes. Known as the jewel of the Dodecanese, the island abounds with turquoise water, wooded valleys and ancient history. This destination offers a relaxing week of horse riding with time to explore the white sand beaches, hidden waterfalls and mountain villages, all topped off by the peerless Greek food. This is a based stay at a comfortable ranch with a few hours riding each day. A wonderful opportunity to explore Rhodes in the saddle.

The Riding

The riding here is all Western style with a focus on natural horsemanship and a very relaxed atmosphere for both horses and riders. You will be given a short lesson before riding out as an introduction to riding Western if you haven’t done it before.

The riding here is not particularly fast, much of the terrain is hilly, however there are a few opportunities each ride for trots and canters on board the ranch’s responsive, willing and kind horses. The focus is more on a relaxing few hours in the saddle exploring the island rather than speed.

Level of Riding and Fitness

Riders should be comfortable riding at walk, trot and canter for this ride but novices are very welcome if able to canter for short periods. Riders usually help with grooming and saddling their own horse although help is provided if required. This holiday has shorter hours than many of our other trails with between 3-4 hours riding per day. For those travelling as a family with children there are two ponies available for riding around the ranch, to head out on the trail the minimum age is 12. The weight limit is 90kg.

Guides and Group Size

This destination specialises in small groups and you will be riding with a maximum group size of 6. Your guides are the owners of the ranch who have been running trails here for almost 10 years and are experienced and knowledgeable.

Any questions?

The Horses

There is a real ranch of horses at this ranch from purebred miniature Shetlands for smaller guests to 16hhThoroughbreds and many crossbreeds between Arravani, Arab, Andalusian, Appaloosa, Mustang, Murgese and Haflinger.

The tack used is Western and the horses are trained in neck reining and natural horsemanship techniques.

Accommodation and Dining

You’ll be staying in a traditional guesthouse with simple whitewashed rooms, a short distance from the ranch inself and close to the village of Laerma. Transfer to/from the ranch each day is included although we recommend hiring a car for this holiday so that you can explore the many ancient treasures of Rhodes when not riding. Bath towels are provided but you will need to bring your own beach towel if you want to hit the beach.

You’ll certainly be discovering the joys of Greek food at this destination. All meals are included at this destination and make use of fresh, local and in-season produce from small suppliers. Meals are usually served in the dining room at your accommodation but some evenings your hosts may take you to a local taverna for dinner instead. One drink per person (beer, wine or soft drink) is included in the price.

A typical Greek breakfast usually consists of a wide variety of bread, pastry, fruits, and Greek yogurt with tea or coffee. A light lunch is served at midday this could be a homemade vegetable stew or casserole, served with staple sides of cheese, bread, salad, and wine.The main meal of the day is dinner and this could be moussaka, spanakopita or a myriad of other delicious Greek dishes all served with large sharing platters.

Get a free Greek Island Escape mini-brochure in PDF format.

Get Trail Brochure

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive at Rhodes International Airport and transfer to the ranch, a journey of around an hour and a half. You’ll be based in the less-populated South of the island. Unpack, explore the local area and meet your friendly hosts.

Day 2 Today, you'll meet the horses and after a short introductory ride at the ranch will head out on horseback to admire the panoramic views across the valleys of Southern Rhodes. Today's ride is around 2.5 hours and you’ll also visit a local 9th century monastery where you can admire the medieval frescoes painted between the 12th -14th century.

Days 3 Saddle up after breakfast and explore the wooded valleys, and hidden paths surrounding the ranch. There are opportunities for some fun canters along the trail today. There is also an option to visit a local donkey sanctuary.

Day 4 Today is a rest day for the horses and the perfect opportunity to explore the island either by renting a motorbike or a car. Alternatively your hosts can drive you to a local beach where you can stay for the whole day and relax. Other activities that can be booked (not included) for your day off are: a catamaran tour, a trip to the Stymi islands or a private tour of Rhodes Town.

Day 5 Today your hosts will teach you some of the Tellington-Jones Touch techniques which can help a nervous horse become relaxed and calm. Understand how to create steps towards a more confident horse, relieve pain, help to keep the horses back in good condition and how to teach the horse to concentrate. You can also try a little bareback riding or try the horses in the round pen and then head out for a little trail. If you are not interested in the T-Touch programme, then an alternative trail ride can be offered instead. Both options last 4 hours in total.

Day 6 Today you'll ride to the dam of Laerma, where you can swim, discover the lake by canoe and relax in a hammock. From here ride back to the ranch to finish the day via some historic graves dating from 300BC. The total riding time today is approximately 4 hours.

Day 7 Today is a 3 hour ride where you’ll climb up to heights of 400m, giving fantastic view of the dam below. Once you return to the ranch you'll be welcomed with an authentic Greek BBQ.

Day 8 After a final breakfast it's time to say goodbye and head back to the airport.

Greek Island Escape

8 days / 7 nights / 5 days riding
£915pp

Single occupancy £130

Flights & Airport transfers

Do not book flights until you have received the Booking confirmation email from saddletravel.com.

Please plan your flights to/from as follows:

Arrivals and departures can be at any time. The ranch is around a 1 hour 30 minute drive from the airport.

Price Includes

Full board accommodation in twin or double rooms,
Breakfasts
Lunches
Dinners
Drink with dinner (wine or beer)
8 hours of riding on 5 days
Local transfers

Price Excludes

International flights
Airport transfers
Additional drinks
Extra activities

Join a ride - Select your date:

2nd April 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £1295pp

Select this date Clear date

23rd April 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £1295pp

Select this date Clear date

30th April 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £1295pp

Select this date Clear date

21st May 2023 - 3 Saddles Available - £1295pp

Select this date Clear date

4th June 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £1295pp

Select this date Clear date

24th September 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £1295pp

Select this date Clear date

8th October 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £1295pp

Select this date Clear date

22nd October 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £1295pp

Select this date Clear date

5th November 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £1295pp

Select this date Clear date

19th November 2023 - 8 Saddles Available - £1295pp

Select this date Clear date

Greek Island Escape

The Riding

Level of Riding and Fitness

Guides and Group Size

The Horses

Accommodation and Dining

Gallery

Itinerary

Greek Island Escape

8 days / 7 nights / 5 days riding £915pp

Flights & Airport transfers

Join a ride - Select your date:

8 days / 7 nights / 5 days riding
£915pp