Start Meteora holidays on the coastline, which forms – with Albania – the land mass clearly visible across the sea from the idyllic island of Corfu. Incidentally, with plenty of direct UK flights into Corfu Town and regular ferries across to the mainland, a combination of Corfu and Epirus is eminently doable. But it's the interior that's the chief draw here. Stop in Zagori or, more precisely, Zagorochoria: a stunning mountainous district famed for its charming village communities and elegant stone arched bridges (92 of them, to be precise) across cascading rivers. Bears and wolves still roam the forests freely, but don’t let that stop you from exploring the region’s superb trails that crisscross through the vast Vikos Gorge. Known as the ‘Grand Canyon of Greece’, it holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s deepest gorge (relative to its width). But despite its credentials, it remains relatively off the beaten track. Follow its eight-mile trail past springs and falls to untouched forests and villages where a refreshing lemon Loux awaits.
After appreciating Epirus’ epic landscapes, it's time to admire one of northern Greece's most atmospheric cities, Ioannina. Head to the shores of lovely Lake Pamvotis, which delights with a fortified old city and lake that comes into its own at sunset. Or have a wander around nearby Dodona, the ancient sanctuary of the chief Greek god, Zeus, which has sat proudly for over 3,000 years. In its pomp, high priests would deduce people's fates from the way the wind swayed through the leaves and chimes in a sacred grove of oak trees. Now, it is home to several well-preserved buildings, including a magnificent theatre with views across to Mount Tomaros.
Back in Meteora, or the 'monasteries of the air' as travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermor described them. If you’re short on time, head straight to the Monastery of the Great Meteoron. Founded in the 14th century, you’ll find a kitchen still black with smoke, a soup hearth, as well as a perfectly preserved church adorned with 16th-century frescoes depicting the life of Christ. If you choose to hike the hour to its top, your efforts will be duly rewarded. For Meteora holidays aren’t just about monasteries; they’re about views. From the surrounding sandstone peaks that look like they burst from the pages of a Tolkien novel to the Pindus Mountains that sit beyond, it’ll become immediately obvious, once you reach the top, why the name Meteora, meaning ‘lofty’, is so fitting.
So, how to best combine all these attractions? There are a number of ways to weave together the various elements of Epirus into Meteora holidays, or in combination with Halkidiki and a lovely villa stay in Corfu. As with all things we do, everything is entirely tailor-made, so you can trust us to create a trip just for you.
