Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Greece - Ioannina - Meteora - Zagoria
100% customisable for you
Bid farewell to England as you jet set through the skies to Preveza. Just a three hour flight from London, it’ll feel like a seamless hop skip and jump from London to Preveza to your hire car. Once you have your new wheel’s keys, take it for a two-hour cruise inland to Kastraki. Drop your bags in your room and spend the evening relaxing on terraces in front of the majestic Meteora Rocks.
Meteora rocks in every sense of the word. Rising from the plains of Thessaly, they stretch 2,000ft up into the sky. So, what better way to spend your first day in Greece than on a privately guided hike up these unique geological phenomena. Start at the foot of Doupiani rock and wind your way up to the impressive monasteries of Grand Meteor and Varlaam that perch precariously on isolated peaks in the Peneas Valley. After descending down the ancient monks’ trail back to the quaint village of Kastraki, you’ll have the afternoon to refuel and rest up at your hotel. But don’t get too comfortable, in the evening you’ll be heading on a sunset tour of the Holy Monastery of St Stephen (Agios Stefanos), the Monastery of Roussanou and the Byzantine Church of the Assumption of Mary.
After a traditional Grecian breakfast of sfakianopita (cheese pie topped with nuts and honey), scrambled eggs and feta salads, you’ll bid farewell to mighty Meteora and head an hour west to Metsovo. Suspended in time, this lively village is as traditional as it gets. Think Epirus-sloped streets steeped in history, grand mansions nestled between beech and fir trees and grand squares fringed by stalls selling arts and crafts. At your hotel, where you’ll be for one night, it’s all about mountain views, modern dishes and indulgent spa treatments. Spend the day getting acquainted with the wilderness on e-mountain bikes, hike to ridges overlooking the Aoos River or go truffle hunting with a local expert, followed by lunch and a bottle of local wine – naturally.
From Metsovo you’ll head west again for Aristi - but not so fast. Before you arrive at one of Zagoria’s prettiest villages, we recommend swinging by Ioannina. A small town on the western shore of Lake Pamvotida, it is a history heavyweight with the Fethiye Mosque and tomb of Ali Pasha (the legendary governor of Epirus during the Ottoman Empire) on its doorstep. If you’d rather stretch your legs, head to the lake’s island for a quiet car-free wander. Back in your hire car, it’s a short drive north to Aristi. Check in to your mountain hotel where you’ll spend the next three nights and tuck into moreish plates of Epirotic gastronomy.
The next two days are yours to spend at leisure. With the mountain resort and village of Aristi on your doorstep, you’ll be spoilt for choice between day trips to quaint Zagorian villages and Vikos Gorge – one of the deepest gorges in the world – and cooking and photography workshops with local experts. For those wanting adrenaline-fuelled experiences, there’s fly fishing and rafting in the Aoos River; while for the more cautious, who prefer their feet on solid ground, yoga classes and wine tastings are always available. Don’t forget about the epicurean Epirus cuisine too, such as Zagori pie and charcoal-grilled meats.
From Aristi, it’s south to the seaside town of Parga for your final four nights. Just an easy two hour drive away, it is the epitome of a picture-perfect beach town with its chequered-cloth tavernas, terracotta-topped houses and a swoon-worthy seafront harbour. Get comfortable in your new seafront room before heading out to explore the local area. Whether it be on bikes, to explore northern Greece’s verdant forests and meandering rivers, or in kayaks to sail along its stunning coastline, a stay on the Ionian coast is the perfect way to end any spring or autumn escape. If you’d rather use the time for some R&R, stop by daily yoga classes, go for long walks along its turquoise bay and spoil yourself at its spa.
Today you will journey back to Preveza where you’ll say your final farewell to your hire car and head to the airport for your flight back to London.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
