6-DAY GREECE OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Highlights

• Thermopylae battlefield, museum and statue of King Leonidas
• Monastery of Grand Meteoro
• Varlaam Monastery
• City of Kalambaka

Pick up from Athens and drive to Kalambaka via historic Thermopylae, site of the battle between ancient Greeks and Persians that changed the course of European history. We see the battlefield, the statue of King Leonidas and the museum.

Then we drive to Meteora (where locals are known as ‘Meteorite!’) to visit some stunning Byzantine monasteries clinging to the rocks and hillside that have been classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

The Monastery of Great Meteoron, built on the most imposing rock, is the largest and most formal of the monasteries, founded in the 14^th century by Saint Athanasios the Meteorite, the first man to organise a systematic monastic community. Nearby, the Monastery of Varlaam is named after its ascetic founder, who lived in a cave as a hermit and built a chapel on top of a rock. In the 16th century the chapel was enlarged and made into the present day monastery.

Today’s final visit takes us to Kalambaka for lunch in a typical taverna where you can taste the delicious local cuisine.

Later we transfer to Ioannina for our overnight stay.

Info & facilities

• Duration: 11 hours

Included

• Certified English-speaking guide for Meteora visit of monasteries
• Lunch in Kalambaka in a typical Greek taverna

Not included

• Dinner ‎

Highlights

• A day at the crossroads of culture and history‎
• ‎The iconic stone bridges of Pitsionis, Milos, Kalogeriko, Kontodimos‎
• ‎A hike through the traditional villages of Koukouli and Kipi‎ ‎

The Zagori area is known for its traditional network of footpaths, constructed to connect its 46 villages before modern roads were built. The traditional stone bridges of the area were essential to ensure uninterrupted journeys throughout the year.

Starting from the village of Kipi, we cross some of the most impressive stone bridges of the area. Built in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, each is usually named after the benefactor who paid for their construction.

During our hike, we have the chance to visit the museum of Lazaridi, located in the picturesque village of Koukouli. The museum is housed in the former residence of its founder, Kostas Lazaridis who spent his life collecting rare specimens of flora from Vikos Gorge. The museum offers the opportunity to admire rare plant collections that grow on the canyon’s rocks and learn about the ‘Healers of Vikos’. Then we will head towards the village of Kipi, following the very old stone path of Koukouli, also known as ‘Koukouli Steps’. In Kipi, our beautiful hike comes to an end.

Overnight in Ioannina.

Info & facilities

Hiking programme

• ‎Duration: 5 hours
• 10:00 Welcome briefing ‎from local guide
• ‎10:15 Set off
• ‎11:30 Visit Koukouli village
• ‎12:00 Hike towards Kipi village via Koukouli steps ‎
• ‎13:00 Return to the meeting point, end of the activity

Participation requirements

• Good physical condition
• Physical and mental health
• Children must be over 8 years old

Included

• Certified English speaking trekking guide
• Hiking poles
• Picnic snacks (seasonal fruits, energy bars)
• Lunch on the way back in a typical Greek taverna
• Backpacks (upon request)
• Waterproof poncho jacket
• Liability insurance
• Taxes

Not included

• Personal accident insurance ‎
• Anything not mentioned above

Highlights

• Pavlos Vrellis Greek History Museum
• Archaeological Museum of Ioannina

At our first stop today we wax lyrical over 2,400 years of Greek history at The Pavlos Vrellis Greek History Museum, also known as The Museum of Wax Effigies. It’s a privately owned wax works, set up by the sculptor Pavlos Vrellis in February 1983. The most famous in Greece, it boasts 150 statues in 37 themes, inspired by various events from Greek history.

The effigies are life-sized, set in an environmental context with regard to their age and local history.  Visitors follow an ingeniously designed and arranged journey through mountains, houses, caves, churches, and alleys. They cover twenty-four centuries of Greek history (from 500 BC), with an emphasis on the modern history of Epirus. There are three themed units: pre 1821 history, Greek War of Independence (1821-1830) and World War II.

Our second stop is the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina, containing artifacts unearthed from Kokkinopilos, Asprochaliko and Kastritsa , the ruins of Dodoni and ancient cemeteries such as Vitsa and the Oracle of Acheron. Designed by Greek architect Aris Konstantinidis (1913-1993) it also has many inscriptions, headstones, and a collection of coins.

Return to hotel for overnight

Info & facilities

• Duration: 7 hours

Included

• Certified English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees to the archeological sites
• Lunch in a typical taverna
• Free photos and videos
• Taxes

Highlights:

• Rafting in the heart of Vikos-Aoos National Park
• Swimming in crystal-clear turquoise waters
• The inner beauty of Voidomatis Gorge
• The arched bridge of Klidonia

Today we start with an easy-going white water rafting descent in the Voidomatis River! Situated in the heart of the National Park of Vikos -Aoos, the crystal-clear waters offer unique opportunities to actively enjoy nature. The waters rise in the Vikos Gorge and follow an impressive waterway, bordered by age old plane trees interspersed with traditional stone bridges.

The Voidomatis joins the Aoos River, in Konitsa’s valley, one of the most stunning natural environments in Greece, where lush forests, high imposing mountains, and deep ravines are interwoven with local culture and tradition! It’s a gem of an off-the-beaten-path sort of place, perfect for active travellers who want an authentic experience.

Overnight in Ioannina

Info & facilities

• Duration: 5 hours

Participation requirements

• Reasonable physical condition
• Children should be aged 6 years and above
• Swimming ability

Included

• Organised rafting base (changing rooms, w/c, showers, free WiFi)
• All necessary equipment for the operation of the activity
• Certified English-speaking river guides from the International Rafting Federation (IRF)
• All necessary local transfers for the operation of the activity
• Lunch
• Free photos and videos
• Taxes

Today we visit the island of Kyra Frosini, in the middle of Lake Pamvotida, the largest lake of Epirus. The lake features small fishing ports and a boating port. The island is inhabited, and we see simple traditional houses with beautiful gardens, narrow cobbled streets, and various shops with exhibits of the traditional folk art of Giannion silver and goldsmithing.

You get a wonderful sense of history, inextricably linked to Ali Pasha, the governor of Epirus during the Ottoman Empire and also Kyra Frosini, who Ali Pasha had beheaded on the island of Lake Ioannina. All corners of the island are flooded with pines, plane trees and cypresses, while the chapels and churches make it an important monastic site.

On the island of Ioannina is a traditional settlement, built in the Epirusian style of architecture with characteristic slate roofs. We visit the Museum of Ali Pasha, which displays stunning works of art typical of Epirus’ renowned silversmiths. The showcases are filled with historical artefacts, such as Ali Pasha’s famous gold-plated kariofili (rifle), his tsimbouki (water pipe), the silver sword of national benefactor Apostolos Arsakis, and the genuine silk dress of Kyra-Frosini.

Also on show are weapons, jewels, household and everyday articles, and ceramics dating from the 17th to the early 20th century. There is a reconstruction of Kyra-Fosini’s winter room (ontás), paintings, lithographs, objects of ethnological interest and caves where historical events of WWII are presented.

Return to hotel Ioannina for overnight

Info & facilities

• Duration: 7 hours

Included

• English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees to the archeological sites
• Lunch in a typical tavern
• Free photos and videos
• Taxes

Travel to Athens or Thessaloniki Airport early in the morning.