Igoumenitsa

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Igoumenitsa is a coastal city in north-western Greece. It is the capital of the Prefecture of Thesprotia and the second most important port of Western Greece. Igoumenitsa is a relatively new city, reconstructed after the 2nd World War, although it used to be a fishing village in the past. During the Ottoman Empire it was a small community called Grava. It was liberated in 1913 from the Turks and in 1938, when the prefecture of Thesprotia was founded, the city was renamed Igoumenitsa and became the prefecture’s capital.
Igoumenitsa offers the possibility for walks, running on the beach or on the mountain, exercise or contact with nature. It also offers access to the beaches of Sivota, 20 minutes away by car.

SIVOTA

Sivota in Thesprotia (Mourtos) is a coastal village where the green landscape is embraced by the unique blue-coloured sea creating an idyllic image. It is surrounded by the small islands Agios Nikolaos and Mavro Oros. Sivota may also be used as the starting point for a visit to the historic and natural monuments of Epirus.

IOANNINA

Ioannina is known for three centuries now, because it is “first in arms, money and letters”. This expression seems to characterize the city of Ioannina even today, since it bears the name “the City of Letters and Arts”. This is not incidental of course, since it is the home town of important people for Greece. The city which owes its name to the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, is built on the banks of the legendary lake Pamvotis and preserves its old charm and nobleness unaltered. Traditional buildings-examples of the Epirus architecture, the great Castle of Ioannina, the island in the lake Pamvotis with the legend of Kyra-Frosini still alive, the Ali Pasha’s palace and the Perama Cave, are just a few of the areas to visit in Ioannina, a city which constitutes an attraction in itself.

ISLAND OF IOANNINA

This small piece of land in the Lake of Ioannina is not more than 800 meters long and 500 meters wide. It houses a Community of approximately 110 houses, Byzantine Monasteries (of Saint Nicholas of Philanthropini and Saint Panteleimon) and the area where Ali Pasha of Tepelena was killed, the Pasha of Ioannina from the end of the 18th century until the beginning of the 19th century. There are no rich historical data in relation to the existence of the Island. The Byzantine and Post-Byzantine monuments preserved to this day provide mainly the data in respect to the History of the Island from the 13th century until the beginning of the 19th century. Both periods coincide with the two periods of prosperity for Ioannina.

PERAMA CAVE

Just four kilometres from Ioannina, on the road to Metsovo-Trikala, we come across the picturesque village of Perama. A mythical world, beyond our imagination awaits us there. Perama Cave was created 1,500,000 years ago inside Goritsa hill, just above the village. It was discovered in 1940 by residents of Perama and in 1956 speleologists, Anna and Ioannis Petrocheilos, preceded to its exploration. This real jewel is known for the diversity of its   stalactites and stalagmites and is ranked among the most beautiful caves in the world. Along the path, stretching for about 1,500 meters, there are many rooms with particularly rich decoration.

BIG AND SMALL PAPIGO

The “star” of the area is of course Papigo (at an altitude of 980 m.). It is one of the most beautiful villages of Zagori, known as a settlement since the 14th century. It is built at the foot of Astrakas Mountain and consists of two “mahalades”, the Big and Small Papigo (separated by a distance of 4 km.). The architecture in the area is magnificent, while the village is a nodal point for a visit to the springs of Voidomatis River, the natural swimming pool in Rogovo and the refuge of the Mountaineering Club in Astraka.
The church of Saint Vlasios (19th century) – with the rare architecture and 100 years old religious paintings  – the church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (18th century), the church of Saint George (18th century) and the church of the Holy Archangels (19th century) as well as the traditional bridge at the entrance to the village are particularly interesting. Moreover, there is the Library of Michael Anagnostopoulos.

METSOVO

There are many cities claiming the title of the most picturesque settlement in Greece, however this title undoubtedly belongs to Metsovo. It is a mountain city capturing the visitor with its wonderful colours and its unique images. Built at an altitude of 1,200 m., in an impressive green landscape, exactly where North Pindos is separated from South Pindos, Metsovo arouses the forgotten senses! Despite the rapid growth of tourism in the last years, the area has not lost its traditional character. It harmonically combines the past with the present and constitutes an ideal refuge not only in winter but also during all four seasons.
Metsovo is famous for its extended spiritual growth since it is the home town of some of the most important benefactors of the country. We will admire its museums, the stone-built manors, the twenty traditional fountains and its cobblestone streets. We will walk in Metsovo square, which is surrounded by traditional taverns and beautiful cafeterias.

METEORA

The Meteora is a formation of huge dark-coloured rocks rising outside Kalambaka, near the first hills of Pindus Mountains and Chasia mountain range. The Meteora Monasteries, constructed on top of some of the rocks are today the second most important monastic complex in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. Out of the thirty monasteries that existed throughout history, today only six are occupied and are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1988.

DODONA

Dodona is a mountain settlement constructed at an altitude of 730 meters. It is located south of Ioannina, at the north foot of Tomaros Mountain. Ancient Dodona, a centre for the worship of Zeus, with a renowned necromancy is located at a distance of approximately 20 kilometres from the settlement.

ARTA

Arta is the second largest city in Epirus after Ioannina. The famous bridge of Arta, known from a folk poem, is found at the entrance to the city. Arta boasts an important Byzantine tradition from the period of the Despotate of Epirus (1229) and its samples are the Byzantine churches of Saint Theodora, Vlacherna and Panagia Parigoritissa, which is a unique architectural work with great mosaics.
The city is constructed on the same location as Amvrakia, one of the most important cities of Illyria during antiquity. The wider area of Arta is known for the cultivation of citrus fruit trees.

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