Has anyone stayed in this area or hiked there. It sounds beautiful. Tips on hotels, hikes and things to see. Thanks

Congratulations!<BR>This is a choice of a smart traveler.<BR>You are going to discover greece's best kept secret...maybe better than some swiss areas!!!with mountains up to 2.479 meters high,woods, lakes incredible stone bridges, monasteries....hikking,rafting etc...<BR><BR>First of all you will need a car.<BR>You can access this area from Ioannina(8 hours scenic drive from athens or by plane) ,a real gem,rich of culture and a vibrant city overlooking a lake.<BR>The Hotel du Lac(just on the lake's shores!) or the Epirus Palace are both excellent.<BR>In Ioannina taste the local baclava sweet and 'mbougatsa' (milk pie) at Kaskani's pastry shop.<BR>Then drive themountain road to Zagoria ..where to stay?<BR>In restored stone mansions of the 19 th century transformed into hotels/lodges with outstanding service,breakfast and ambience.<BR>Papigo: at Papaevangellou'smansion tel 26530- 41135<BR>Saxonis houses 26530- 41615<BR><BR>and in Aristi village at Zisi's with its excellent taverna tel 41147.<BR>and the restaurant Lithos at Dilofovillage for a real high greek cuisine.<BR><BR><BR>

geia kai chara<BR><BR>I stay 3 nights in Epirus Palace and we go to Vikos ,Monodendri village try the fabulous pie at Kikitsa's tavern.<BR>Grevena et Tzoumerka village and Mastorochoria villages.<BR><BR>You want to see the original Greece come to my village,with clarina .<BR><BR>BABIS <BR>original greek<BR>Made in Epirus<BR><BR>have a nice day

I've been leading hikes there for many years and it's fantastic. At the south end of the gorge I'd recommend the Selini in Vitsa or Koukouli guesthouse. At hte north end I'd recommend Dias in Mikro Papingo.<BR>See<BR>http://www.i-escape.com/destination_guide_results.php?page=4&amp;liveregio n=Mainland&amp;country=Greece<BR>for details<BR>Or ask me on this thread for more details.

Michael-- I would be interested in hiking the area, especially the remote areas. Can you help me? We will be there the first of May. There will be two of us. Thanks

Sure. How many days? Backpacking or day-hikes from one centre? <BR>If you have the chance I'd do a point to point hike as follows (you can sometimes send your bags by taxi or ask the hotelier to move them). Start in Vitsa (Pension Selini). Then hike the Vikos gorge (spectacular) to Papingo (stay at Pension Dias, Mikro Papingo - 7 hr hike). Or if that is too long hike to Vikos which is 5 hrs and stay in Pension Karpouzis, then enxt day go back down across gorge and up to Papingo. Free day in Papingo recovering and swimming in river pools (ask Kostas Tsoumanis at Dias for directions). Then - you'll need to arrange this ahead of time via Dias - hike up to Astrakas refuge at 2000m (4 hrs), v basic accommodation but worth it for the views. It was closed last year for refurbishment but should open form May - Oct 2003. Afternoon hike to Drakolimni lake set on edge of dramatic escarpment. Then either return to Papingo and out via the lower Vikos gorge (to Kleidonia) or if you have time and energy from the refuge hike to Tsepelovo or Vradeto (very remote and beautiful hike of 6-7 hrs), then walk back to Vitsa via Kipi (lovely arched stone bridges &amp; watermills).<BR>For walking directions try and get hold of a copy of the 1992 Lonely Planet &quot;Trekking in Greece&quot; (which I co-wrote) and also when you arrive in the gateway city of Ioannina ask for the free 1:100,000 map published by the municipality and available from the hotel Xenia and the Tourist office. There's also a book / map published by Greek publishers Anavasi which is good.<BR>For hotel bookings I think i-escape will do all except the refuge for you.<BR>Good luck<BR>Michael<BR>[email protected]