The hotel complex is nestled in the picturesque Asterousia Mountains (UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site) in southern Crete. Twenty lovingly renovated houses combine Greek aesthetics and modern comfort in an unspoilt mountain village. The hotel's restaurant serves Cretan specialities freshly prepared for you using local produce. Inland, you can see the striking Kofinas, the highest mountain in the Asterousia Mountains, and opposite you can see the rugged Mediterranean coast. You will explore the mountain range on the back of sturdy horses on full-day or half-day rides on 7 or 4 days, discovering traces of Minoan colonies and the Tripiti Gorge with its picturesque bay, which is ideal for swimming. The 7-day programme also includes a visit to the Koudoumas monastery, where monks still live today, and the remote coastal village of Agios-Ioannis. Outside of the rides, the beautiful terraces and the pool with sea views offer relaxation.

The farm's extensive grounds stretch to the sea and are home to horses, goats, sheep, pigs, cattle and chickens. All meat, cheese and eggs are produced on site. Every morning, hundreds of litres of sheep's and goat's milk are processed into feta and other delicious cheeses. All the animals enjoy plenty of space to roam – a place where both humans and animals feel at home!

Itinerary

Sample programme:

Day 1: Arrival in Heraklion and transfer to the hotel, approx. 1 hour. If you arrive early enough, you can get to know the horses and other farm animals and take a short trial ride.

Day 2: After a hearty breakfast, you will make your way to the stables, where you will saddle your horses and ride towards Kofinas. Soon you will continue inland across sheep and goat pastures with views of the endless Massara Plain, behind which Crete's highest mountain rises – until early summer, the peak is often still covered with snow! On the way, you will take a long lunch break at a pretty chapel with ancient olive trees. You will pass two more chapels and some Minoan ruins. On the way back, you will enjoy the fantastic panorama of mountains and sea. If you feel like it, you can climb to the top of Kofinas on foot for an even better view. Riding time: 4-5 hours.

Day 3: Today you will ride west towards the Tripiti Gorge. Crete's second largest gorge was named after a church in a cave at the foot of the canyon, which can only be reached via unpaved paths. You will take a break at a magical place with a chapel and the remains of a Minoan settlement. The route then continues gently downhill through rocks, gnarled olive trees and barren pastureland with sheep and goats, with sea views throughout. The ride through the gorge is breathtaking, with towering cliffs rising up on both sides of the narrow path. At the end of the gorge, you can take a refreshing dip in the sea. Lunch in a restaurant. Later, you will return to the stables via a similar route, with the gently ascending, wide paths now inviting you to break into a gallop or two. Riding time: 5-6 hours.

Day 4: Today, you can sleep in and then spend the day either on an excursion, e.g. to a bay, or on a hike. In the evening, you will meet at the stables for a sunset ride. Narrow goat paths lead up to a viewpoint with a magnificent view of the rugged coastline in the evening light. Afterwards, you will enjoy a delicious dinner in the hotel restaurant as usual. Riding time: max. 1.5 hours.

Day 5: Today you will set off on a two-day ride to the monastery of Koudoumas, where monks still live and work today. You will head east again, past Mount Kofinas, home to vultures and eagles. The trail then descends steadily along wide tracks through a vast pine forest with views of the sea. At lunchtime, you will stop at a chapel or in the forest to enjoy your picnic. Towards evening, you will reach the remote monastery by the sea, where you will take care of the horses and have the opportunity to refresh yourself with a dip in the cool water. You will spend the night in a simple guesthouse at the monastery. If you prefer, you can also sleep in a sleeping bag (provided) directly on the beach. Riding time: 5-6 hours.

Day 6: You will have breakfast in the monastery garden, saddle the horses and set off for Agios Ioannis, not far from the ancient archaeological site of Phaistos. Your route will take you along the top of the cliffs on a narrow, partly rocky path lined with trees. Some passages must be guided due to the ground conditions. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the rugged coastline, cliffs and caves. In Agios-Ioannis, you will have the opportunity to swim in the sea and enjoy a delicious lunch. Afterwards, a wide path winds its way back to the village and the stables, which you will reach in the afternoon. Riding time: at least 5 hours.

Day 7: Breakfast and departure according to your flight times. Those who are not leaving until the evening can go riding again in the morning.
Depending on the weather, experience and preferences, the order of the rides and the exact programme may vary. For example, it is possible to organise the 2-day ride to the Tripiti Gorge or to a bay in the greener east instead of to the monastery.

Short programme 4 days:
Days 1-3 as above. On the 4th day, you will ride to the viewpoint after breakfast. Departure after lunch. If you are flying back on the same day, it is best to depart after 5 p.m.Non-riders/excursion tips:
There are numerous secluded bays, remote caves and chapels in the area that are well worth a visit. Crete is also full of Minoan ruins and archaeological sites from the Bronze Age. Those who love the sea can swim in one of the bays, snorkel or go on a boat tour. On request, you can also book a cooking course or watch sheep being milked and cheese being made.

Accomodation
The hotel complex is located in a picturesque mountain village near the coast and consists of several traditional apartments of different sizes. These are individually designed with great attention to detail. The architecture reflects the typical Cretan building style with lots of wood, stone and round arches. Breakfast and dinner are served in the hotel restaurant with sea views, while lunch is served as a packed lunch on most riding days.

Saddle & Tack: English, western and trail riding saddles.

Experience: Confidence in all gaits and trail experience required. You should be fit and good on foot, as there are also passages on foot and the horses are willing to walk. The wide, firm paths allow riding at all gaits. Riding times up to 6 hours per day. Rider weight max. 90 kg!

Horses: