Three years ago they purchased 4,300 square metres of property in the Agriana and officially opened the Arion Stables for carriage service and horse riding. The following year, another 3,800 square metres was added when they purchased the adjoining section.

Now the sprawling Arion complex consists of the stables, a couple of riding corrals, a children’s playground and petting farm and a country-style taverna featuring organic vegetables from its own adjoining garden.

As the business expanded, so did its animal population.

“We now have seven horses, two ponies, three Great Danes, two cats, 13 turtles, two Guinea Pigs, six sheep, 12 goats and, at last count, seven rabbits,” Zara said. “And, we also have three privately-owned horses which we care for.”

While horse riding and carriage tours and riding lessons are Arion’s main attractions, its taverna, with its traditional kitchen, where Yiorgos’ mom is the chef, has attained its own following as one of the area’s finest family restaurants with an adjoining wood-constructed playground set on a bed of soft sand for the kids.

“We’ve certainly expanded from our first days of carriage tours and rentals, but that part of the business remains very popular, especially when the carriages are used for weddings,” Zara said. “It adds a dramatic element to the affair. And, the carriage tours through the old villages are always exciting. And, of course, horse-riding tours to the Aposelemis Gorge or along the beach is always fun, even though we carry a couple of plastic bags to clean up after the horses.”

“And,” Yiorgos quickly added, “that’s something else I never thought I’d be doing when we first met seven years ago!”