Greece

Upon your arrival at the Athens airport, you will be welcomed by the trip leader. Once the whole group assembles, you will head to Kalavryta, a picturesque town on the mountains of Western Peloponnese (a 3-hr drive).

Note: Only one group transfer is included in the price. Additional transfers can be arranged at an extra fee.

On the way, you will stop at Isthmus to see the famous canal (the second in importance in the region after the Suez Canal).
Welcome dinner at a restaurant near Kalavryta, where Giorgos Manikas, a well-known Greek chef, will introduce you to the delight of the authentic Greek cuisine.

Overnight in Kalavryta (3-star hotel).

Near Kalavryta, there lies one of Greece’s best kept secrets: the Vouraikos Gorge. It is part of the Chelmos-Vouraikos National Park thanks to its lush vegetation and incredible natural diversity. Waterfalls, beautiful caves, swift crystal-clear streams, cool springs and impressive rocky cliffs, make this route an unforgettable experience.

After breakfast, you will hike through the gorge, along the trail that cuts through the protected area and is part of the long distance E4 European Trail, walking along the tracks of the most impressive attraction of this area: the “Odondotos” Rack Railway. The train’s route is often described as the most “spectacular rail route” of the Balkan area.

On the way, you will enjoy a light snack, and you will return to the starting point of the hike using the rack train.

Duration of the activity: around 5 hours.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon, strolling through Kalavryta town and getting acquainted with life in the Greek countryside.

Overnight in Kalavryta (3-star hotel).

After breakfast, you will head to Ioannina: a beautiful, vibrant town by a lake (driving distance: around 3.5 hours). On the way, you will pass by the Rio Antirio bridge (one of the world’s longest multi-span cable-stayed bridges).

Depending on the weather, you may stop on the way to Parga, a picturesque seaside town for lunch and a quick visit to the ruins of its Venetian castle.

Enjoy the rest of the day in Ioannina, walking around the lake, taking the boat to visit its famous small island, tasting the local cuisine or exploring its market that is well-known for silver jewelry and local artefacts.

Overnight in Ioannina (3-star hotel).

After breakfast, you will head to Zagorohoria: a cluster of villages on the mountains near Ioannina, famous for their architecture and the spectacular beauty of the surrounding landscapes. You will spend the day walking in old, cobblestone-paved alleys, visiting villages like Vitsa, Megalo and Mikro Papigo, reaching the viewpoint in Vikos village for panoramic views of the Vikos gorge (listed in the Guinness Book of records as the deepest canyon worldwide in proportion to its width), and exploring old paths and stone bridges that used to connect the villages before the modern road network.

Overnight in Zagorohoria (3-star hotel).

After breakfast, you will head near the Voidomatis River, at the point that marks the beginning of the Ice Age trail: a picturesque trail that stretches alongside the river up to the end of the Natural Reserve. On the way, you will learn more of the local (human and natural) history and the local flora which is famous for its medicinal qualities (sampling several plants on the way).

Duration of the activity: 4 hours.

After lunch (which, if you wish, can take place at the tavern next to the river where you can taste the local trout), you will head back to Ioannina.

Overnight in Ioannina (3-star hotel).

After breakfast, you will head back to Athens (a 5-hour drive) for your flight back home.

Notes:

• There is only one group transfer back to Athens and the airport.
• It is recommended that your flight departs from 4pm onwards.