Itinerary
- Day 1
Thessaloniki to Ioannina
You'll start with a hotel pickup in Thessaloniki and drive west through Northern Greece toward the Meteora Monasteries. These monasteries sit on top of dramatic rock formations, and you'll stop at viewpoints along the way to get photos and take in the landscape. From there, you'll head north into the Pindus Mountains to see Metsovo, a traditional stone village where you can check out local crafts and sample the area's cheeses. The drive continues deeper into Epirus, winding through forested valleys and mountain passes before you reach Ioannina, a historic city on the lakeside. Once you arrive, there's time to walk through the Old Town with its stone walls and narrow lanes, visit the Castle of Ioannina, and take a boat out to the island on Lake Pamvotida. You'll have dinner in Ioannina and stay overnight there.
- Start point
- Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece (Thessaloniki hotels)
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner by the lake or in a traditional mezedopoleio serving the rich flavors of Epirus)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel in Ioannina)
Included Activities
- Visit Meteora Monasteries (one or two active monasteries)
- Stop at Meteora viewpoints for photos
- Explore traditional village of Metsovo
- Explore Ioannina Old Town
- Visit Castle of Ioannina
- Boat ride to island of Lake Pamvotida
Landmarks Meteora Monasteries Metsovo Castle of Ioannina Lake Pamvotida - Day 2
Zagori Villages
After breakfast in Ioannina, you'll head into the Zagori region, known for its stone villages and mountain scenery. You might visit places like Monodendri near Vikos Gorge or Papigo, both with slate-roofed houses and cobbled streets worth walking through. There are viewpoints such as Oxia or Beloi where you can look down into Vikos Gorge, which is one of the world's deepest canyons. Along the way, you'll see historic arched stone bridges like Kokkoris or Plakidas that connect villages and cross rivers. Around midday, you'll have lunch at a traditional taverna in the area and try regional food. Later in the afternoon, you'll begin driving back through Epirus and Western Macedonia, arriving in Thessaloniki by evening.
- End point
- Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece (Thessaloniki hotels)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Lunch in a stonebuilt taverna with regional flavors)
Included Activities
- Visit one or more Zagori villages (Monodendri and/or Papigo)
- Stop at Vikos Gorge viewpoint (Oxia or Beloi)
- View stone bridges of Zagori (Kokkoris or Plakidas Bridge)
- Lunch in traditional taverna
Landmarks Monodendri Papigo Vikos Gorge Mount Tymfi
