“Apeiros Chora” hotel is located in Kato Pedina, a Zagori village, within half an hour drive from Ioannina, Epirus capital, in Northern Greece. The property is a fully renovated 200 years old family stone mansion with authentic interior finishes and details combined in a rich and colorful rendition of the past, all mixed with a modern elegance. From property’s rooms and surrounding courtyards and terraces, you can enjoy a cool view of the nearby mountains and the village’s protected valley.
The Rugged Rush of the Zagori Experience in Northern Greece
Nestled in the northern Pindus mountain range amid rugged cliffs, rushing waters, lush forests and breath-taking alpine lakes are the tiny stone villages of the Zagori, known as the Zagorochoria. These remote little gems dot the slopes of the Pindus and in their embrace the visitor discovers the secrets of centuries literally carved in stone and carried on through local traditions and hospitality.
by Maria Paravantes
Located in the Epirus region, northwestern Greece, a long winding road connects the 46 Zagorochoria, which offer their guests an unforgettable travel experience: everything from extreme sports like rafting, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and trekking to horseback riding, mountain climbing and sampling culinary delights of the region.
The snaking ride up to the villages begins from the capital of the region, Ioannina, with Mount Mitsikeli (1,810m) to its southwest, the Aoos River and Mount Tymfi (with Gamila as its highest peak) to the north and the Varda River and Mount Mavrovouni (2,100m) near Metsovo to the southeast.
The 46 villages serve as mini-museums of the region’s traditional architecture mostly dating back to the 18th century. High-ceilinged stone and wood mansions stand on cobbled roads leading to the “mesohori” or “plateia” (central square), which also hosts the village church, the central springs and the ubiquitous “platanos” (or plane tree) under which all of life’s great events take place.
Besides its local cuisine and natural beauty, the Zagorochoria, and the Epirus region in general is also known for its music. Much like its people, who are rugged and reserved, so is the music with a slow slithering rhythm led by a mournful clarinet solo. To enjoy all three aspects of the Zagori experience – nature, food and culture – visit the villages in the summer during the annual “panegyria” – open-air festivals where locals indulge in good food and wine while singing and dancing under the plane tree in the central squares.
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Dragon’s den
Near Mount Smolikas and Mount Tymfi lie the Zagori’s best kept secret: the “drakolimni” (or Dragon Lake): two alpine lakes, the highest at an altitude of 2,050m mirroring the sky and the clouds in which dragons sleep. The dragon, in local lore, is said to represent freedom and emerges when enemies approach its territory. The drakolimni is a five-hour hike uphill from Papigo.
Photo by: www.konitsa.gr, The Zagori’s best kept secret: the “drakolimni”
Like a bridge over troubled waters
The narrow single- or three-arched bridges of the Zagori primarily made of limestone, are mostly in and around the village of Kipi. Today abandoned, they stand as reminders of their central role in the days of old when they served as trade routes for mule caravans in difficult weather conditions. Each bridge retains the name of its donor.
The stone bridges of Kokkoris between Dilofo, Kipi and Koukouli, Kontodimos (in the Mikros Vikos ravine), the 1814 Plakidas or Kalogeriko between Kipi and Koukouli, Klidonia (aka Voidomatis) in Klidonia at the end of the Vikos trek and Milos (near Kipi) are only a few of the bridges adorning the Epirot landscape.
From village to village with a herb in hand
From the 17th to the 19th century, “kombogiannites” also known as “vikogiatroi” would ride from one village to the next to heal the sick with their wondrous herbs. Self-taught shamen mostly from Kapesovo, Monodendri and Papigo, they belonged to a brotherhood of sorts and would pass on the tricks of the trade to their children. Their arrival to the villages was marked by ringing bells and joyful music.
The Food
If there’s one thing you’ll want to do after a long trek, rafting or sightseeing, it will be sitting in one of the many local taverns/coffee shops, which serve up the finest comfort foods. From the simple but hearty omelets to the meats and sausages, settle down by the fireplace and watch the meats grill as you sip local red wine. Cheeks are bound to rosy up. The region is mainly known for its famous “pittes” (leek, greens, cheese, pumpkin pies made particularly thin) and its tsipouro, a distilled pomace-based spirit containing 40-45% alcohol.
If there’s one thing you’ll want to do after a long trek, rafting or sightseeing, it will be sitting in one of the many local taverns/coffee shops, which serve up the finest comfort foods. From the simple but hearty omelets to the meats and sausages, settle down by the fireplace and watch the meats grill as you sip local red wine. Cheeks are bound to rosy up. The region is mainly known for its famous “pittes” (leek, greens, cheese, pumpkin pies made particularly thin) and its tsipouro, a distilled pomace-based spirit containing 40-45% alcohol.
Epilogue
There’s no doubt about it: You can’t get enough of the Zagori in just one go. The tourist experience in Greece is layered. Like most of Greece’s destinations, it has something new to offer every time you visit, with a new layer emerging to reveal something different. So too is the Zagori.
So for the Zagorochoria experience Part 1, take a tour of the villages of Monodendri, the most touristy of the lot at 1,060 meters overlooking the Vikos Gorge with a view to Astraka and Gamila. The 14th-century villages of Megalo and Mikro Papingo (4km from each other) nestled at 980m below the compelling Astraka towers. One of Mt. Tymfi’s highest peaks is Gamila at 2,436 meters, to its north stand the famous twin tower-like cliffs of Astraka which overlook the tiny village of Mikro Papigo.
Between the two settlements of Papigo flows the Rogovo stream. Erosion has created remarkable water-filled hollows known as the “ovires”. In the summer, visitors take a refreshing swim in their waters. And, finally, don’t forget to visit Tsepelovo at 1050m, and take the uphill path towards the Zagori’s highest village, Vradeto at 1,450m.
✓ On the road again… Set off from Athens to Ioannina, approximately a six-hour drive.
✓ Settle down… in one of the luxury resorts or boutique hotels in Aristi, Megalo Papigo, Mikro Papingo.
✓ Indulge in… locally made “pittes” (or pies) and tsipouro.
✓ Don’t forget to buy… spoon sweets, tsipouro, red wine and herbs.
✓ Truth or dare… The Vikos Gorge experience is like no other. Start at daybreak; bring water, chocolate and nuts.
Featured Hotels in Zagorohoria
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In the most central of these residential enclaves, in Aristi, gifted with a privileged view to the canyon of Vikos and the mountains of Astraka, Archontiko Tis Aristis Hotel is one of the most representative traditional hotels of the Zagori area, the mansion of Aristi. The hotel is located in a distinctive way to the aesthetic impositions of the past, opening passages for a more refined and hospitable habitation to the present, adapted to a more timely and timeless version.
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Machalas (“Small Neigh-borhood”), unique in Central Zagori, is a complex built in 2005, predominantly with wood and hand-hewn stone, in the difficult craft of dry stonework and in keeping with the architectural tradition of Zagori. It comprises eleven independent apartments (eight single-spaced of 40m2, two 40m2 suites and one double spaced suite of 60m2), which can accommodate up to four people.
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Tranquillity reigns at MONOPATIA creating a delightful and relaxed atmosphere. The landscape changes constantly according to the time of day, the season, the weather. The beauty of the natural environment outside is reflected in the earthy hues of the interior architecture. Each space has its own individual character while attention to detail accompanies understated luxury throughout.
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Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas, a proud member of the “Small Luxury Hotels of the World” is built at the upper part of Aristi, one of the most beautiful traditional villages of Aristi and in Greece, ‘Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas’ is not just a hotel, but a refuge for those seeking beauty in nature. A starting point for hikers and anyone who wants to visit the enchanting Zagorochoria villages and a place for those wishing to experience nature at its best while having top quality facilities available to them.
Zagori Outdoor Activity Organizers
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Greece welcomes 45,000 runners from 92 countries for this year’s Athens Marathon on Sunday, November 13.
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A company created from local mountain and trekking guides who live and work in the area of Zagori. We are based in Zagori region, at the North Pindos Mountains. This is the area where Pindos mountain range stretches from the north to the south covering a distance of 230km! This of course makes it ideal for mountain and nature activities!
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The most scenic green mountainous region of the country. Magnificent 20Km long Vikos gorge and the spectacular Pindos mountains, in addition to traditional and authentic stone villages are an ideal location for nature enthusiasts.
Ideal for: Trekking, multisport and cultural driving discoveries. -
All the activities of the Alpine Zone take place at the tablelandof Ioannina, the National Park of Vikos – Aoos, the massif of Tymfi, Zagori villages, the National Park of Valia Kalda, Vasilitsa, the massif of Smolikas, the Athamanika Mt. Come to meet the enchanting region of Epirus through the programs of recreation of the Alpine Zone. We are sure that you will live a unique experience.
The Vikos Gorge: A Trekking Paradise
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