Historic Mainland
Greece through the centuries, traditions, modernity, spectacular terrain

Ioannina and Lake Pamvotis
The biggest city of the area and the sprawling capital of Epirus, Ioannina is at a distance of 100 km. from the house. A historic center of commerce, education, local customs, and arts and crafts.
The city of legends and traditions, built on the edges of Lake Pamvotis, in 500 m. altitude, carries centuries of history. The city combines the natural beauty of the landscape with the many historical monuments and museums. The castle built by the Byzantines, the many mosques built during the Turkish domination, the lake with the island, the many traditional stores with silver crafts, the wax museum of Pavlos Vrellis, the Cave with the stalactites and stalagmites, and the fabulous old town, attract the visitors. Romantic walks around the lake bring to mind the legends about dames Vassiliki and Frosini.
The city had its biggest growth during the Ottoman Empire, under Ali Pasha’s rule at the end of the 18th century. Ali Pasha contributed to the general growth of the region, developing the arts, the education, and the manufactured work, all according to the models of the biggest European cities. Ioannina became the “metropolis of learning”, and today it has one of the largest Greek universities.

Ioannina has a busy nightlife. Many cafes and restaurants offer a superb traditional cuisine; many of them are located on the lakefront, near or under the old-town castle walls.

Ancient Dodoni
22 km southwest of Ioannina lie the ruins of Dodoni, the oldest of ancient Greece’s oracles, that included a temple of Zeus and a theater. The theater is well preserved still today and it hosts summer theater festivals.

Zagorochoria – Vikos Gorge – Voidomatis River
This cluster of 46 famous villages was built on the rough mountainous terrain half an hour from Ioannina. The area is known for its wild natural beauty, the characteristic stone and wood architecture of the houses, and the countless traditional stone bridges, with their presence almost in every step. The national monument of Vikos Gorge, 1000m at its deepest, traverses the area with Voidomatis River at its bottom.
A unique place, a journey that you will never forget.

Meteora
These amazing smooth, vertical rocks with the cliff-top monasteries create a breathtaking landscape that has been sculpted by wind and water over thousands of years. Medieval monks built Orthodox monasteries, several of which are still active. Meteora is regarded as the “second” Mount Athos. In 1988 Unesco declared Meteora to be a World Heritage Site.
Very interesting for rock climbers . 100 km. from Ioannina.

Metsovo
A large traditional village high up on the Pindus mountains. It is renown for the local cheeses that are also exported. Metsovo is half way between Ioannina and Meteora.