#vikos gorge

[gemsofgreece]

Vikos Gorge, Greece by zorbabook on Instagram.

#greece #europe #travel #wanderlust #fall #autumn #landscape #nature #gorge #fog #vikos #vikos gorge #ioannina #epirus #mainland

[miles-with-mel]

Top 4 Hidden Gems of Greece 

Greece is a place of great wonder and natural beauty that is known on for the gorgeous white sand beaches, ancient temples, and countless islands. There are many places that are high in the list to visit when it comes to Greece such as Santorini and Mykonos. These two islands are two of the most popular islands visited in Greece and even though they also have their own attractions to tourists, such as the whitewashed villages, they are also considered some of the most overcrowded cities. For example, Santorini is where many of the perfect social media posts come from. Today I will be talking about some of the hidden gems of Greece, where you will find less tourists, and more adventures. 

The first place you must adventure out to when in Greece is the Melissani Lake Cave which is a lake cave on the island of Cephalonia. This gorgeous cave is surrounded by forests of trees but once you enter the cave, you enter crystal clear waters. Though there are many areas and beaches in Greece that allow tourists or visitors to swim Melissani Lake Cave is not one of them. In order to preserve its natural beauty, people are only allowed to have a quick boat ride through. This cave is also known as the Cave of the Nymphs in Greek mythology. In addition, it is considered a local attraction that is only open from May to October.  The view from inside the cave is truly magnificent with plenty of light shining from above, only illuminating the blue water. 

Another location that is a must see in Greece is the Mani Peninsula that is located between the Laconian and Messenian Gulfs in Peloponnese.  Most of this terrain is considered a mountainous region of rocks and cliffs that roll into the turquoise water below them. Apart from the terrain, this is one of the locations that one can find some of the most authentic and traditional experiences in Greece full of culture and history, much like the rest of Greece. Within their society they value the importance of family always trying to ensure the survival of the family name and legacy which is the explanation for all of the tower houses. In the past the tower homes were used for protection during invasions and feuds because of the constant pressures of warfare and threats from pirates. 

The Vikos Gorge is one of the well-recognized canyons of the Greek people and often compared to the United States Grand Canyon. This gorge holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s deepest gorge at 3,300 ft deep. There are off beaten paths local people hike and this jaw dropping, eight-mile trail is considered one of the best hikes in Greece and recommended to everyone looking for scenic view and a workout. This hike is considered a point-to-point hike meaning that you will begin the hike in one location and end the hike in another location, in this case you can hike the gorge south to north or vice versa. 

Finally, there is a wonderful pebble beach on the island of Alonissos known as Tourkoneri beach. This beach is a little hidden, as you must travel all the way down a dirt road and across some rocks that surround it. There is also a pine forest behind the beach making this the perfect naturistic location. This forest is one of the sights that most intrigue people at this location as the pine forest literally ends inside the sea. There are also many other little beaches surrounding that you can visit while in the area. 

#mani peninsula #melissani lake cave #Cave of Nymphs #greece #cephalonia #vikos gorge #best hike in Greece #tourkoneri beach #alonissos

[julianworker]

In the Greek midwinter: hiking around the Vikos gorge, Greece’s ‘Grand Canyon’

Deep snow, icy pools and cosy hotels in timeless stone villages … this is a magical time in Zagori and Greece’s mountainous north

View On WordPress

#gorge #Greece #Greek #North #roumeli #travel #vikos #what is there to do #what is there to do in #what is there to see in #what to do #what to do in #what to see #where to find #where to go #why go to

[bentectravels]

#tourisme #voyage #travels #travel #Greece #Grèce #ferry #Igoumenitsa #Corfou #Ioannina #Zagoria #Monodendri #gorges vikos #monastères #Météores #moines #Varlaam #Thessalonique #Thessaloniki #ascension #Mont Olympe #Pelion #Makrinitsa

[masterdraft]

#greece🇬🇷 #vikos #gorges #mountains #viewpoint #naturephotography (bij Víkos, Ioannina, Greece) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkVd2N8O_2K/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#greece🇬🇷 #vikos #gorges #mountains #viewpoint #naturephotography

[prairiefirewitch]

Today is maybe my favorite day here so far. Someone arranged for me to interview her yiayia tomorrow about the plants and herbs found here, I hiked a short section of the Vikos Gorge, got caught in a herd of goats crossing a mountain pass, met a plant lover in Elafotopos who told me all about houndberries and we compared notes on the artemisia family, got chased by two village dogs, ate moussaka for the first time in my life and it was so good I wanted to kiss the nana who made it, drank a delicious Greek beer, wandered Koukouli village for an hour and found wild patches of nettles and mugwort, drank water from 3 moss covered fountains in villages, fed a Great Pyrenees doggo my leftover lunch, petted 4 cats, visited a fiber museum, found an abandoned church in the woods, found a perfect pebble in a stream, walked across an arched stone bridge, and now I’m back at this crazy beautiful villa sipping mastika and looking at my treasures from today. Here’s what I found: my dear friend mugwort, hound berries, a baby pomegranate, fig leaf, blue spruce or fir, Queen Anne’s lace, grape leaf, cat mint, mountain tea, ivy, olive leaf and fruit, lemon balm and a sprig of something very floral and sweet but I don’t know what it is. A very good day.

[natures-moments]

Vikos Gorge, Greece

[stumbleimg]

Vikos Gorge, Greece [OC][4794x7182]

#inline reddit: EarthPorn #Photography #Art #EarthPorn #Reddit #Imgur

[jeannereames]

Dr. Reames many thanks for your posts and for your DWTL books which I have read and reread, especially when I feel the need to escape to a different world. I’ll be traveling to Greece in September and, naturally, I would like to visit the birth place of ATG. I was wondering if you could recommend a reliable tour operator for a 3- to 4-day tour (private or group tour) that would include Meteora, Vergina and Pella. Thank you.

I don’t know any particular tour for northern Greece. To be honest, given the 3 places you mentioned, you’d be better off renting a car, for a variety of reasons.

Most tours you could hire would likely involve Pella, Vergina, and possibly Mieza and/or Dion. I don’t know of any that would also include Meteora, which is way down in Thessaly. I have been on tours before in Greece, but not in the north. These tours tend to be aimed for the average tourist. If you have serious interest, you may (probably will) feel rushed. They’re on a time schedule and don’t like it if you dawdle. Ha.

Also, you will (almost surely) get the official Greek line, so Royal Tomb II is Philip’s Tomb, etc.  If you ask questions, you’ll get lectured. 😉 (It’s far less clear, TBH.) Although an official tour may also get you into some of the Macedonian tombs that are not open daily (Tomb of the Palmettes, Lyson and Kallikles, etc.). So there are some advantages to a professional tour. Not everything’s politicized. Ha. Just a few things.

Probably the ideal would be a professional tour, then rent a car and go to see things again, plus other things not included. But it depends on how much money you have.

As this was anonymous, I’m not sure what your home country is, but I’ve driven in north Greece several times, and I find it pretty easy to do. There are some tricks, but the airport is outside the heart of Thessaloniki, so it’s not too hard to rent a car at the airport and get out into the countryside. I can recommend a very nice house west of Thessaloniki (if it’s still on AirB&B), in excellent shape with lovely owners, and in a very good position to get to lots of areas in N. Greece, using the excellent main highway system. The old highways are not nearly as nice, ha. But you can get around pretty easily.

If you want to go to Meteora, you do probably want to rent a car, plus rent a hotel overnight there, due to the distance. You probably could find a tour, but it would be separate from one that went to Pella and Vergina. It’s be something focused on Byzantine/medieval Greece. If you want to go up into the monasteries, be sure to bring long sleeves, pants/long skirt, and close-toed shoes. There are modesty requirements; you can’t visit in shorts and a tank-top. 😊

We drove down there on the way back from Ioannina (Epiros, where we saw Dodona and the museum in town). On the way back from Ioannina, we also were able to go to the EXCELLENT museum in Aiani (Kozani was inexplicably closed although it was supposed to be open—but that’s Greek museums for you). We didn’t spend more than a few hours in Meteora, to eat dinner and see the sights. If you want to spend more time there and see the monasteries, you’ll (probably) need to overnight. You could do one night there, and another night in Ioannina, and be able to see a lot of the southern highlands and northern Thessaly. (If you like hiking, or nature, you may also want to swing by the Vikos Gorge.)

There are some nice, but smaller, lesser-known museums probably not on the usual tour. One is in Veroia, not far from Vergina. Another is up in Florina, near the northern border with North Macedonia—e.g., the northern highlands, what used to be Orestis, bordering on Lynkestis, is yet another smallish museum that has some Iron Age and Classical material. The Lake district is BEAUTIFUL, but the museum there is more Byzantine and medieval. Then, if you go east, there’s a good little museum in Drama, another in Kavala, and, of course, the Amphipolis Tomb.

So there’s actually quite a lot to see in north Greece: Macedonia, Epiros, Thrace, and Thessaly. You could do some of it via guided tours, but you’d probably see a whole lot less. Again, not sure what your home country is, but many of these sites are only an hour or two apart in the lowlands.

And, of course, before leaving, see the Archaeological Museum in Thessaloniki and the “Gold of Macedon” exhibit there is a Must See. 😊

I hope this helps a little.

#asks #visiting Greece #visiting Macedonia #touring Greece #touring Macedonia #ancient Greece #ancient Macedonia

[youjustknewwhileisighed]

[qudachuk]

Deep snow, icy pools and cosy hotels in timeless stone villages … this is a magical time in Zagori and Greece’s mountainous north“Daisy,” I say, eyeing the snowy peaks rising heroically before us. “I’ve a feeling we’re not at...

[gemsofgreece]

Φαράγγι του Βίκου - Ιωάννινα / Ήπειρος Canyon of Vikos - Ioannina / Epirus Stavr_Stam on Instagram

#greece #europe #travel #wanderlust #landscape #snow #winter #gorge #canyon #vikos #epirus #ioannina #mainland

[safereturndoubtful]

A weekend in the Vikos Gorge

Monday 6th November 2023

The rain did come on Saturday but it was much less than had been predicted. Late on Friday night the sky at night was quite spectacular with the amount of lightning around. In the end Saturday was a series of closely knitted together showers, of varying strengths. Roja and I got out for a couple of hours in the morning and hiked up to a ruined monastery a few kilometres into the forest.

The other van, and the green bus were great company. In turn, I had successive visitors to the van for coffee, Nige, the Hebridean raft leader, Gudi, the Namibian lady, and Nige’s wife. Their kids were over also, with their black lab, Shadow, to see Roja.

Nige and his 8 year old son will head over to Norway in spring for another season for him working as a whitewater rafting guide. He has worked there for more than 10 years. This year, for the second year, his wife will stay in Falkirk with their 11 year old daughter, as she attends school, then join them in June. A highlight of the evening, to the many gathered Greek day visitors also, was Nige’s son jumping into the Voidomatis river from the bridge 10 metres above. The river is known as the most consistently cold in Europe, at pretty much 4C all year (thanks for that bit of information, Hugh..)

Gudi has a partner in Namibia, and they spend about half the year together, but she enjoys the van life more, and so roams alone for the rest of the year. She is a real character, and was around on Sunday after the green bus had gone, so we got the chance to chat more. She runs her electric off just one 100 watt panel and one battery. She says her battery is struggling, but I think it’s the time of year. My 3 panels don’t make a lot of difference here, in a gorge, so with limited sunlight anyway, and it is low in the sky, and three rainy, and hence cloudy days. I have hooked-up to mains at a campsite tonight, the health of the batteries does suffer if they are run low for days, and it’s been 50 days now since they last had mains power. Gudi refuses to, amusingly, as she doesn’t like sites, and doesn’t want to spend the money. Her van is German, she worked in Germany for the last few years of her career, but has been retired now since the age of 67, for two years. She swims in the river each morning, and is headed roughly the same way as me, so we may encounter each other again in the next couple of months.

This video of Roja was taken by the kids..

I’m in the Meteora tonight, a drive of a couple of hours, and a campsite at a place still busy with tourists. The Meteora is a rock formation in Thessaly, the eastern Pindos. Amongst the monoliths are the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. Meteora literally means, suspended in the air.

I did a few chores this morning, including a fairly major supermarket stop at Lidl in Ioannina, and then took my time with the journey, rather than taking the motorway, going over the Metsovo Pass. The pass goes up to 1700 metres on a road that really interested me, as in the research I did, comments were that after the road tunnel was built, below it, the pass is no longer maintained, and only just driveable. I had thought of staying at the top, but the road was fine, those comments seemed greatly exaggerated, and I headed on to give the van the power boost it requires.

I’ll probably stay a couple of days here, despite the many visitors still here. Half the campsite is open, and I’d guess there are 30 vans and motorhomes here, probably about a quarter full. I much prefer to be in a more remote place, but I will take the chance to clean the van for an afternoon. It’s a low season price of only 15 euros which is a bonus.

[julianworker]

In the Greek midwinter: hiking around the Vikos gorge, Greece’s ‘Grand Canyon’

Deep snow, icy pools and cosy hotels in timeless stone villages … this is a magical time in Zagori and Greece’s mountainous north

View On WordPress

#gorge #Greece #Greek #North #roumeli #travel #vikos #what is there to do #what is there to do in #what is there to see in #what to do #what to do in #what to see #where to find #where to go #why go to

[mulberrywomenguide]

Greece Tour Packages From India - World Circuit Travel

Explore Greece's Rich History and Stunning Landscapes with World Circuit Travel's Greece Tour Packages from India

Greece, a land of ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and a vibrant culture, has always been a top destination for travelers around the world. For those departing from India, the journey to Greece is an opportunity to delve into a mesmerizing world of history, mythology, and natural beauty. World Circuit Travel is here to make that journey an unforgettable experience with its Greece tour packages from India. Why Greece? Greece's allure is multifaceted. It is a country where the echoes of the past meet the rhythms of the present. From the stunning beaches of the Greek Islands to the historic treasures of Athens, Greece offers something for every traveler. 1. Historical Marvels: Greece is a cradle of Western civilization. The country is dotted with archaeological sites and ancient monuments, including the Acropolis in Athens, the Palace of Knossos in Crete, and the Oracle of Delphi. 2. Natural Beauty: Greece boasts a diverse landscape that ranges from azure seas to rugged mountains. The Greek Islands are known for their picturesque beaches, while the mainland offers the stunning Vikos Gorge and the dramatic landscapes of Meteora. 3. Culinary Delights: Greek cuisine is a gastronomic adventure. Savor dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, and baklava. Greek cuisine celebrates fresh ingredients, olive oil, and an array of herbs and spices. 4. Warm Hospitality: The Greeks are known for their warm and welcoming hospitality. You'll find friendly locals eager to share their traditions and stories with visitors. Why Choose World Circuit Travel? World Circuit Travel has earned a reputation for crafting exceptional travel experiences. Here's why their Greece tour packages from India stand out: 1. Customized Itineraries: World Circuit Travel designs itineraries that cater to your specific interests and preferences. Whether you're an adventurer, history enthusiast, or a beach lover, they've got you covered. 2. Expert Guides: You'll be accompanied by knowledgeable and enthusiastic local guides who bring history and culture to life, ensuring you gain a deeper understanding of the places you visit. 3. Seamless Logistics: World Circuit Travel takes care of all the logistical details, from flights and accommodations to transportation and guided tours, so you can relax and enjoy your journey. 4. Value for Money: The Greece tour packages are designed to offer excellent value for your investment, with no compromise on the quality of your travel experience. 5. 24/7 Support: World Circuit Travel provides round-the-clock support, ensuring that your journey is as smooth as possible. Embarking on a journey to Greece from India with World Circuit Travel means immersing yourself in an ancient civilization, soaking in stunning landscapes, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Don't miss the opportunity to explore Greece's wonders; let World Circuit Travel be your guide on this extraordinary adventure.

#greece tour packages #greece tour packages from india #greece travel packages

[masterdraft]

#greece🇬🇷 #vikos #gorges #mountains #viewpoint #naturephotography (bij Víkos, Ioannina, Greece) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkVdmb7u7FD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#greece🇬🇷 #vikos #gorges #mountains #viewpoint #naturephotography