Greece: In the Glory of Spring (6 days)
Duration
6 Days
Tour Type
Adventure
Trip Category
public
Location
Greece
Overview
“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything” wrote Shakespeare in a sonnet. Indeed, Spring is the perpetual reminder of youth and innocence, worth remembering amidst lush nature and waters. As such, this itinerary in Greece focuses on mountains and rivers, forests and seashores, little towns and bigger cities, as we experience, step by step, the awakening of nature and of the soul within.
Highlights:
Get ready to:
· Hike through the Vouraikos gorge (one of the most beautiful trails in Western Peloponnese) and return with the rack train (considered to be the most picturesque train ride in the Balkans).
· Explore the villages and bridges in Zagori.
· Hike on the Ice Age trail, along the Voidomatis River.
· Get a taste of the unique aromatic and medicinal plants of the Zagori region.
· Visit Ioannina town with its picturesque lake and historical islet.
· Enjoy the renowned Greek cuisine, and connect with the friendly locals in the Greek countryside.
Trip Leader:
Konstantina Sakellariou
Konstantina is the Rahhalah advisor for Europe and the Middle East. An author and a traveler, as well as a storyteller and a seeker of meanings through archetypal stories and myths, she leads a few trips per year in her beloved homeland. She has an in-depth knowledge of the regional history and the connections that bond Europe with the Middle East, and she is keen to share her understandings with you.
Facts:
· Level: Easy-Moderate.
· Activities: Hiking, Nature walking, Cultural sightseeing, Cultural interaction, Storytelling.
· Duration: 6 days.
Our operation:
- All Rahhalah’s ground handlers and guides are locally employed ensuring an authentic experience for the travelers, as well as sensitivity and understanding of the local culture and environment.
- Our staff is highly experienced and is always committed to providing exceptional service.
Sustainability:
· We run a low impact operation and we leave no traces behind, contributing to the protection of the local land, its people, and culture.
· All our local guides and staff are appropriately employed and adequately equipped. Also, we make extensive use of local products and, thus, maximize the economic benefits for the local communities.
As you possibly know, 1% of our revenue is directed towards the support of a local cause. This is our pay-back promise
Included/Excluded
Two nights‘ accommodation in Kalavryta with breakfast (3-star hotel).
Two nights‘ accommdoation in Ioannina with breakfast (3-star hotel).
One night in Zagorohoria with breakfast (3-star hotel).
All activities as described in the itinerary
All transportation as described in the itinerary.
All meals as indicated above.
Transportation from and to the airport upon arrival and departure.
The presence of Rahhalah advisor for Europe and the Middle East, Konstantina Sakellariou.
International airfare.
Visa fees.
Travel Insurance
Optional activities.
Meals not included in the itinerary.
Beverages.
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses.
Single supplement
PCR test and extra days if needed
Itinerary
Day 1 (April 22, 2023):
Arrival in Athens / Transfer to Kalavryta (D)
Day 1 (April 22, 2023):
Arrival in Athens / Transfer to Kalavryta (D)
Upon your arrival at the Athens airport, you will be welcomed by the trip leader. Once the whole group assembles, you will head to Kalavryta, a picturesque town on the mountains of Western Peloponnese (a 3-hr drive).
Note: Only one group transfer is included in the price. Additional transfers can be arranged at an extra fee.
On the way, you will stop at Isthmus to see the famous canal (the second in importance in the region after the Suez Canal).
Welcome dinner at a restaurant near Kalavryta, where Giorgos Manikas, a well-known Greek chef, will introduce you to the delight of the authentic Greek cuisine.
Overnight in Kalavryta (3-star hotel).
Day 2 ( April 23, 2023):
Hiking through the Vouraikos gorge / Rack train (B, Light Snack)
Day 2 ( April 23, 2023):
Hiking through the Vouraikos gorge / Rack train (B, Light Snack)
Near Kalavryta, there lies one of Greece’s best kept secrets: the Vouraikos Gorge. It is part of the Chelmos-Vouraikos National Park thanks to its lush vegetation and incredible natural diversity. Waterfalls, beautiful caves, swift crystal-clear streams, cool springs and impressive rocky cliffs, make this route an unforgettable experience. After breakfast, you will hike through the gorge, along the trail that cuts through the protected area and is part of the long distance E4 European Trail, walking along the tracks of the most impressive attraction of this area: the “Odondotos” Rack Railway. The train’s route is often described as the most “spectacular rail route” of the Balkan area.
On the way, you will enjoy a light snack, and you will return to the starting point of the hike using the rack train.
Duration of the activity: around 5 hours.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon, strolling through Kalavryta town and getting acquainted with life in the Greek countryside.
Overnight in Kalavryta (3-star hotel).
Day 3 (April 24, 2023):
Parga and Ioannina (B)
Day 3 (April 24, 2023):
Parga and Ioannina (B)
After breakfast, you will head to Ioannina: a beautiful, vibrant town by a lake (driving distance: around 3.5 hours). On the way, you will pass by the Rio Antirio bridge (one of the world’s longest multi-span cable-stayed bridges).
On the way, you will stop in Parga, a picturesque seaside town, for lunch and a quick visit to the ruins of its Venetian castle.
Enjoy the rest of the day in Ioannina, walking around the lake, taking the boat to visit its famous small island, tasting the local cuisine or exploring its market that is well-known for silver jewelry and local artefacts.
Overnight in Ioannina (3-star hotel).
Day 4 ( April 25, 2023):
Exploring Zagorochoria (B)
Day 4 ( April 25, 2023):
Exploring Zagorochoria (B)
After breakfast, you will head to Zagorohoria: a cluster of villages on the mountains near Ioannina, famous for their architecture and the spectacular beauty of the surrounding landscapes. You will spend the day walking in old, cobblestone-paved alleys, visiting villages like Vitsa, Megalo and Mikro Papigo, reaching the viewpoint in Vikos village for panoramic views of the Vikos gorge (listed in the Guinness Book of records as the deepest canyon worldwide in proportion to its width), and exploring old paths and stone bridges that used to connect the villages before the modern road network.
Overnight in Zagorohoria (3-star hotel).
Day 5 (April 26, 2023):
The Ice Age hike / Return to Ioannina (B, D)
Day 5 (April 26, 2023):
The Ice Age hike / Return to Ioannina (B, D)
After breakfast, you will head near the Voidomatis River, at the point that marks the beginning of the Ice Age trail: a picturesque trail that stretches alongside the river up to the end of the Natural Reserve. On the way, you will learn more of the local (human and natural) history and the local flora which is famous for its medicinal qualities (sampling several plants on the way).
Duration of the activity: 4 hours.
After lunch (which, if you wish, can take place at the tavern next to the river where you can taste the local trout), you will head back to Ioannina.
Overnight in Ioannina (3-star hotel).
Day 6 (April 27, 2023):
Return to Athens (B)
Day 6 (April 27, 2023):
Return to Athens (B)
After breakfast, you will head back to Athens (a 5-hour drive) for your flight back home.
Notes:
- There is only one group transfer back to Athens and the airport.
- It is recommended that your flight departs from 4pm onwards.
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Tour Location
Rahhalah Explorers
Member Since Jan 2022
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