Greece's Kefalonia Island Trail
Day 1: Arrive on Kefalonia Island. You will be transferred to the guesthouse in Koulourata, near the city of Sami. Settle in and enjoy your surroundings and your view of Mount Ainos.
Day 2: Today you will be introduced to your horse and have a short 1 ½ - 2 hour trail ride near the stable, leaving the rest of the day to do some sight-seeing or shopping.
Day 3: This morning, you will ride out from the stable and head up to the Drogarati Caves where, if you wish, you may stop and visit. These caves are estimated to be over 150 million years old and are noted for their orange and red stalagmites and stalactites. A concert platform holding 500 was built at this site because the acoustics were so wonderful. From here you will continue through a huge olive plantation down to the villages of Haliotata and Poulata and pass through the old ruins of Liviatata and old Karavomilous where you will reach Milissani Lake. Once again you may opt to take some time to visit. Here too, is a cave with a tiny island inside with unimaginable colors to greet you. It was first explored in 1951. On your return you will have a chance to go down to the beach and if you wish, may swim together with your horse. You will then return to the farm.
Day 4: Today you will ride up through the mountains until you reach the Monastery Fanentes, where the view of the islands Lefkada and Ithaka is fantastic. In the afternoon you might wish to go into the city of Sami which is a main port of the island. It was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1953. The “cyclopean walls” can still be seen among the ruins of “Ay Fanentes Monastery”.
Day 5: Once again you will climb up the mountains through a very steep goat trail and come down the other side to visit another beautiful old village, Mousakata. This ride will showcase the beauty and the diversity of Greece as the terrain is varied. There will be some nice spots for trotting and cantering and the views will be gorgeous.
Day 6: On this day you will ride up through a large river bed, high into the mountains through fruit plantations and olive groves. You will pass through two old canyons on an old donkey trail to the village of Pirgi where you will stop for a coffee break and then onto a high plateau at the foot of Mount Aenos. Rest and enjoy the scenery and then head back down to the stables.
Day 7: On your last full day you can either choose to go for a short trail ride close to the stables or opt to do a riding lesson in either dressage or jumping. The Bavarian Warmblood is noted for its ability in dressage, so if you have never tried dressage or are a veteran, this is a nice.
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