Ioannina, Greece: Unveiling the Greek spring with a local

Ioánnina or Yannena is located in northwestern Greece and is known for its rich history, scenic beauty, and cultural heritage. Ioannina will be our base! From here we will drive to all the other destinations. There are so many to see, visit, discover, taste, and feel in this beautiful city so, I will just name a few. We will walk the Old Town of Ioannina, which is particularly picturesque and is characterized by narrow streets, traditional buildings, and charming shops and cafés. We will discover the famous Ioannina Castle, a historic fortress that offers panoramic views of the city and the Lake Pamvotis. A small island is located in Lake Pamvotis. This island is probably the only island in the world with no name. We call it "Nisi" which in Greek means island. Nisi is known for its historical monuments and monasteries. We will go to Nisi by boat and we will take a walking tour of the island. We will also visit the Dodoni Ancient Theatre and the Perama Cave. The city is also home to many museums so it's up to us which, if any, we will visit. Ioannina is a unique place for food fans with an appetite for genuine Mediterranean cuisine and traditional home cooking. Talented chefs and superb local products are the ingredients of Ioannina Gastronomy, one of the tastiest food scenes in Greece. We will taste unique cheeses, delicious pies, and well-cooked fresh meat with vegetables, drinking the famous wines of Zitsa and Metsovo, as well as the locally produced tsipouro. And what about dessert? Fellows, your TripLeader, me, is addicted to sweets, so I got you! The pastry shops of the city are incredible and the sweet temptations are so many. At night, we will feel the vibes of the city. Yannena, a city that never sleeps. And how can it sleep with more than 20,000 students living here? The nightlife options are countless. The bars and clubs make for unforgettable fun!

UNESCO added this area to its World Heritage List! A cluster of 46 picturesque traditional villages in the wider area of Timfi, Pindos, and Mitiskeli (Zagori region), built in a magical setting amidst pine and fir trees. Zagori's natural environment is exquisite and perfect for many outdoor activities. The unique local architecture is defined by stone, wood, and slate rock. Zagori is divided into three areas, Western, Central, and Eastern Zagori. We will discover some of the villages and sights of Zagori, one by one!

Metsovo is a mountain town, with a diverse history, traditions, and customs. This tree-shaded village, retaining its traditional character, dots the mountainside below Katara Col (Katara pass) in the Mountain Range of Pindos. It is full of life throughout the year, generously offering us its natural surrounding beauties. The soothing sound of water always on the move adds to the majestic atmosphere. We will tour this gray stone village with red tile roofs and its green surroundings and admire the two-store mansions, with their traditionally constructed balconies (hayat) and wooden doors. We will also taste the famous wines of the region and the delicious cheeses.

Βlue and green is the main reason why Syvota is considered one of the most exotic destinations within Greece. Lacy shores, luscious green islets, and long sheltered beaches with crystal clear waters and secret coves, are just some of the settlement’s characteristics that nature has open-handedly offered. We will visit a few of my favorite beaches, we will swim, and let the magic of paradise overtake us.

Parga is a famous holiday destination. It is amphitheatrically built and nestled in a picturesque bay, where the wooded small island of Panagia lays under the shadow of the town’s Venetian castle. We will take a stroll up to the old town where we’ll enjoy some distinguished architecture, wander around its cobbled stone streets with beautiful arches, and discover flower-filled neighborhoods where picturesque little houses and colorful mansions. We will end up drinking in the mesmerizing sunset view of the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea from the Venetian walls.