(7km -15mins)

Τhe village of Perdika is located just 7km from Karavostasi on the coastal road between the tourist resorts of Sivota and Parga.  It is one of the largest villages in Thesprotia with its residents originating from different regions of Greece and it is this variety which has created an area of wide cultural interest.  The main preoccupation in Perdika over the years has been olive cultivation, which characterises the village. The hospitable hosts, excellent gastronomy and faith in tradition gives you the opportunity to get to know Perdika village with all of your senses. Don’t forget to walk down to the paratiritirio to admire the mesmerizing view of the Ionion coast, especially at sunset.

Over the last twenty years, Perdika has become known as one of the most authentic destinations in Thesprotia, Epirus. With its unique and clean beaches, its never ending golden coastline with crystal clear water and its beautiful, unique combination of deep blue seas and deep green wildlife.

(150m - 4 min walk) 

Just a short walk behind Karavostasi Beach Hotel is the Chapel of Maria. The chapel is sometimes used for christenings. The Birth of Maria is celebrated at this chapel on the 8th of September. Well worth a visit to light a candle. Ask at reception for more information.

(2.5km) 

The monastery of Saint Athanasios is located near Karavostasi beach. It celebrates on 2nd of May when there is a festival around the church with hoards of people. Amidst the olive trees, next to the Paramithioti river and the wildlife park of Perdika, its location is one of the most beautiful natural areas.

According to tradition, the icon of Saint Athanasios left the church during the night and was found next morning in an old olive tree near the road. Today thousands of people pass through the hollow trunk of the olive tree which is found in the yard of the church in order to be blessed.

(4km)

The archaeological site of ancient Elina is on the southern side of Karavostasi at the top of the mountain called Dimokastro / Dymkastro. You can drive up the mountain by car (about 20mins drive) or on foot. Local hiking associations keep the path (about 800m) clear and it will take a little more than 1hr to climb up.

The settlement was founded in the 4th century BC. It is said to be the ancient city of Elina, the home of the “Ellinon Thesproton”. Many archeological findings were discovered on this site and are displayed in the Museum of Igoumenitsa. While you are visiting the site you can admire the magnificent view of all the Ionian Sea, Corfu and Paxos.

(18km - 30mins)

Parga is a very beautiful harbor town with something to do for everyone. The picturesque multi-colored venetian houses, the castle, the small church on the island of Panagia just opposite, and its history make for a great day out for all visitors. During the day you can take boat trips to Paxos and Anti-paxos.  

In Parga you can wander through the narrow, cobbled streets where here are plenty of shops filled with local products and gifts, bars, cafes and tavernas.  The boulevard in Parga is also perfect for an evening stroll along the water, the boulevard restaurants and bars are very popular, and it can get very busy in high season. 

Parga also has an olive oil factory that you can visit and some distilleries which produce local ouzo, cherry liqueur, kumquat liqueur (the famous liqueur from Corfu) and brandy.   

(15km - 25mins)

The nearby village of Sivota is a short drive north along the winding road on the Ionion coast. Originally a fishing village surrounded by pine trees, cypresses and olive trees., its harbor is now mostly used for yachts and sailing tours in the summer.

You can take a taxi boat and there are boats to rent with which you can discover small bays and coves that are not easily accessible by car or on foot. And there are also daily excursions available to Paxos and Anti Paxos.
For a pleasant stroll along the boulevard, boat rides along the Ionian coast, trips to Paxos and Antipaxos, visit Sivota. You will find nice shops, cafes and tavernas for all tastes.

(45km - 1 hour)

This mythical river begins its journey 1600m above sea-level, high in the Souli Mountains of Thesprotia, Epirus. The Acheron River springs are found in the village of Glyki and are a popular attraction. Crystal clear ice-cold water, surrounded by lots of greenery and a beautiful white limestone gorge.

Acheron River Mythology

In Greek mythology the Acheronta River was known as the river of woe and misery, which acted as the physical border between the world of the living and that of the Underworld. If you were buried according to Greek custom with a golden drachma, you were able to pay the ferryman 'Charon' who would ferry your soul to Hades.

Activities Acheron River Springs

Once at Gliki, follow the signs for the Acheronta Springs. When you arrive there is plenty of free parking. Here the river is wide and not too deep, so you can easily wade in. There are a number of activities on offer, you can go rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, zip lining and even take a horse ride through the shallow water.

Some visitors prefer to stay dry and hike up the gorge trail towards Skala Tzavelaina. The hiking path (40mins) takes you parallel to the river with a number of river crossings and ends with a view overlooking the magnificent Acheron River valley.

The more adventurous visitor takes the walk through the river towards the Acheron Springs. It is a 5-10min walk from the parking area, following the path upstream takes you to the river entry point. From here it will take about 45mins to wade through the river to reach the springs. The river runs partly underground emerging here and there along the riverbanks making the water icy cold in the beginning, but you get used to it. The route does have some dry areas where you can rest, however you will be in the water for the majority of the time. Depending on how much rain has fallen in the Spring you may have to swim in 2 or 3 places (between 5 and 15 meters at most).
At the springs a huge amount of water emerges with great force through the limestone and over the rocks. The way back downstream does go a little quicker, however, some choose to climb up the mountain on the right-hand side to the bridge and take the path back down.

A visit to Acheronta is highly recommended, especially on warm summer days! And you can drink the water from the springs.

Good footwear such as water schoes are necessary to be able to walk through the river, and a waterproof bag is also a good idea. Watch your step, some steppingstones can be quite slippery.

There are several nice restaurants right along the riverbank where you can enjoy a meal and watch others rafting down the river. You will need to get back onto the main road and drive a couple of minutes southwards turning left before the bridge. 

Nekromanteion of Acheron

Following the river down towards the sea, you can visit the Oracle at the Necromanteio of Acheron, near the ancient city of Ephyra. Here pilgrims were able to communicate with the souls of their loved ones. Today you can visit the archeological sites and pass through the dark underground hallways and see the ruins of the the temple devoted to Hades and his wife Persephone.

Natura 2000

The river Acheron flows to the village of Ammoudia on the Ionian coast. Ammoudia is characterized by a big sandy beach that stretches along the village. The mouth of the Acheron and in general the Acheron River Delta have exceptional natural beauty and belong to the European Network of Protected Areas NATURA 2000, with a total area of 4935 hectares.

In the region there are 699 plant species of which 449 are found in the Acheron Delta and there are 19 types of natural habitats. There are also important wetlands such as the swamp of Ammoudia and of Valanidorachi, where you can find many rare species of flora and fauna. Notable in the fish categories is the existence of the minnow, which can only be found in the Acheron River. 

Paxos is one of the Greek islands within the Ionian islands group. It is the smallest of the seven main islands ('Eptanisia') west of mainland Greece. Just a few kilometers south lies Antipaxos, a small island with fewer than 50 inhabitants. There are various boat excursions to visit the popular islands of Paxos and Antipaxos (also known as Paxi and Antipaxi). In high season there are daily boat excursion from Parga and Sivota to the islands. The boats sail almost the same route, they first sail to Antipaxos and then to Paxos, where they always stop at the capital of the island, Gaïos. They then continue to either the Blue Caves or the Small Caves. 

On board you can buy food and drinks, but you can also take your own. The journey across the Ionion will take about 1hr and 20mins, if you are lucky you may see dolphins, the captain will normally sound the horn to let you know! Once you arrive at Voutomi bay of Anti-Paxos, the boat is stopped off the coast. You can jump from the boat or enter the water via the steps. The water is crystal clear and you have about half an hour for a short swim.

Then the boat continues towards Paxos. The boat visits the Blue Caves and even sails into the cave and you may have the unique opportunity to swim through the caves yourself. A very beautiful experience. After the Blue Caves you sail towards Gaïos. Along the way you will see even more beautiful caves and nature. Entering the harbor is a beautiful journey and you arrive around 2pm. Until 4pm you are free to explore the town and have lunch. There are taverns along the boulevard. You'll need your ticket to board the boat and many people go into the sea right next to the harbor while they are waiting. You will arrive back in Parga or Sivota around 5:30pm.

It is worth noting that the amount of shade on the boats could be limited, so do take sunscreen. And also take into account the “culture” of a boat when booking. There are boats that are more for young people, where loud music is played all day, while on other boats it is nice and quiet. The boats all leave at around 10am. However, if you want to choose a nice spot, make sure you are there at least half an hour before departure.
Ask at reception for more details or for booking in advance.

(90km - 1 hour 20 mins) 

The capital of Epirus is a beautiful city built on the Pamvotida (Pamvotis) Lake, apart from a great dose of "shopping therapy” Ioannina has many iconic landmarks that you can visit such as the Perama caves, the Vrelli wax museum, the Citadel of Its Kale (Inner Fort) and the Ali Pasha Mosque among others. 

Pamvotida Lake

This is one of the oldest lakes in the world. There are several walking and cycling paths around the lake where you can discover among others, the amphitheater and the Durachani monastery. It is also nice to spend time on the lake or sail by boat to the island.  

Ioannina island

The island in the middle of Lake Pamvotis is the only populated island in Greece without a name. From Plateia Mavili you can take a boat (10 mins) to this almost car-free island. The island has one of the largest monastic communities in Greece. Stroll through the small streets of the village and see the monasteries. In one of the monasteries, you can visit a small Ali Pasha Museum and learn more about the old leader of Epirus. 

The Old City 

The old part of Ioannina is also called the castle. This part of the city dates back to the sixth century and is surrounded by ancient city walls and has a number of beautiful squares and idyllic little streets to stroll through. Visit the Voimoudos tower from 1022, where you have a beautiful view of the Pamvotis Lake and the surrounding area. 

Museums

Ioannina has a number of interesting museums. One of which is the Silversmith Museum, here you will discover everything about the history and technology of silversmithing, which Ioannina is famous for. The Municipal Ethnographic Museum is located in an old mosque and shows how the castle residents lived. The Archaeological Museum is also worth a visit, the exhibitions show you Greek history and display many objects found during excavations. 

Perama caves

Just 5km from Ioannina are the Perama Caves and only discovered in 1940. The caves are fairytale-like. A tour takes about 1hr, visiting six different chambers each with its own theme and beautiful formations of stalagmites and stalactites. The hike is not difficult. There is a visitor center where you can learn more about the fossils and other natural treasures found in the cave. A tour costs approx. €8 and there is a tourist ‘train’ that transports visitors from the parking area to the cave entrance.  

The region of Epirus, on the northwest coast of Greece is perfect for people who want to combine the sun, the sea, wonderful landscapes and local culture. It is well known that this region has the best natural surroundings  in all of Greece. The combination of green mountains and blue sea is beautiful.  Inland there is also a lot of cultural and historical sightseeing to do. Epirus is shaped by the Pindus mountain range which gradually sweeps down westward towards the Ionion Sea. The highest point is 2600 meters, where you will find the Vikos-Aoos National Park. Deep valleys such as the well-known Vikos Gorge are crossed by rivers like the Kalama and Acheronta, famed for their natural beauty.

Epirus is divided into four prefectures Ioannina, Arta, Preveza and Thesprotia. We are in the Thesprotia, here the coastline has a few steep beaches and many large and small bays, this region of Greece is justifiably known as 'Thesprotia of good ports'.
Igoumenitsa is the capital of the region and is today one of the most important harbours, not only in Greece, but also in Europe.

(180km - 2hours 45 mins)  

It is possible to visit the renowned rock formations of Meteora, one of the most beautiful places in Greece, and the second most popular attraction, after the Akropolis. Being one of the most striking and impressive natural monuments in the world this site is protected by Unesco World heritage and is well worth a visit. 

The Meteora monasteries are situated in Kalambaka, Trikala and it is quite a long journey. You can travel by car, but keep in mind that the parking spaces fill up quickly especially in high season. Some of our guests also prefer to take it easy and book a nearby hotel room for a night in order to get an early start the next morning. If you want to avoid the parking situation there are also one-day excursions available. Ask at reception for more information. 

When you visit Meteora, you must also respect the modest dress code, in the holy Meteora there are still Monks and Nuns living there. For men, this means that you absolutely should not wear shorts, only long trousers. For women, shorts and trousers are not allowed, it is best to wear a long skirt. Women are also not allowed to enter with bare schoulders, arms or belly. When you buy the entrance tickets, they normally also check your clothing. If you are not dressed appropriately you will not be allowed to enter. They usually have some trousers/skirts/shoulder scarves to borrow, however it is best to be prepared in advance, out of respect for the monastery and the religion. 

Also keep in mind that some of the Monasteries have between 150 to 300 steps. The only one without stairs is the St Stephens (Agio Stefano) monastery. If you have physical limitations, the views around Meteora and the St Stephen’s monastery are still fabulous! However, they do not have any real access or facilities for disabled people.  

Inside monasteries there are incredible paintings and chapels, however taking photos is not allowed. You also cannot take photos of the nuns or monks. If you want to have a keepsake you can buy postcards / books at the gift shop.  

Six of the 24 monasteries are open to the public and each one has its own opening hours. It is almost impossible to visit all the monasteries in one day because of the distances between the monasteries and also because there is always one monastery closed for one day in the week. The entrance fee to each monastery is €3.00. For children under 12 years entrance is free and they don't have to conform with the dress code.

Plenty of information to take in account but it is still well worth taking the time to visit the picturesque monasteries for a wonderful, unique and magical experience. Be prepared with water, good shoes, and plenty of stamina! The Monastery opening hours are as follows:

The Great Meteoron / Megalo Meteoro 

The Great Meteoron Monastery is situated on the biggest rock of the Meteora, called ‘Platys Lithos’ (wide rock). 
9.00 – 15.00 (Closed every Tuesday)

The Varlaam Monastery  

The Varlaam Monastery is directly opposite the Great Meteoron. 
9.00 – 16.00 (Closed every Friday) 

The Saint Stephen Monastery 

This monastery is run by nuns. 
9.00 – 13.30 and 15.30 – 17.30 (Closed every Monday) 

The Saint Nicholas Monastery 

This is situated on one of the most impressive rocks of the Meteora. 
9.00 - 17.00 (Closed every Friday) 

The Rousanou Monastery 

This is a monastery is run by nuns. 
10.00 – 16.00 (Closed every Wednesday) 

The Holy Trinity Monastery 

This monastery has the most dramatic location.
9.00 – 16.30 (Closed every Thursday)