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FOR EVEN MORE DETAILS ON OUR EUROPEAN TRIPS VISIT
KOSTAS VASILEIOU
Traditional Greece can still be found in
Zagoria, where thousand-year-old villages
are perched above the UNESCO-protected
Vikos Gorge in the Pindos Mountains. We’ve
created wonderful hikes along shepherds’
paths and across arched
bridges spanning the
gorge and leading to
these unique hamlets.
To reach the spectacular
monasteries of Meteora,
we’ll walk the monks’
paths up to these airy
medieval sanctuaries. Our grand finale is our
hike up Mt. Olympus (9,600'), storied home
of the gods, where we gaze over the ancient
world from the abode of Zeus, ruler of the
sky. Along the way, we’ll fuel our hikes with
northern Greece’s delicious culinary treats
and sample renowned local wines from
ancient vineyards.
Days 1-5 Ioánnina / Zagoria From Ioánnina,
we head to Zagoria to hike orchid-lined paths
to the villages of the Vikos Gorge, including
Pápingo, nestled beneath limestone towers. We
descend the famous Vradeto Stairs, a serpentine
17th century stone staircase leading to the tiny
village of Kapésovo, and cross ancient stone
bridges of double and even triple arches that
span the upper gorge. One hike brings us up
to gleaming Dragon Lake (6,800'), below the
striking peaks of the Pindos. Between hikes, we
swim in sun-warmed springs, relax in ancient
village squares shaded by huge plane trees, and
enjoy the local wines and herb-infused cuisine of
this remarkable region.
Days 6-8 Dodóna / Meteora Monasteries
We explore Dodóna, home to the impressive
amphitheater of the Oracle of Zeus, the first
ancient oracle of Greece, then head to the
famed World Heritage Site of Meteora, meaning
“suspended in the air.” Monks of the Eastern
Orthodox church built the hermitages of Meteora
atop sheer pinnacles in the 13th and 14th centuries.
We follow paths to these seemingly inaccessible
sanctuaries, where some 60 monks still reside.
Days 9-12 Mt. Olympus From Thessaloniki,
we head to the village of Prionia and start
our hike, ascending through the forest and up
above treeline to the Spilio Agapitos Refuge
(7,200'). The next day we hike to the rocky
summit of Skala (9,403'), the main peak of this
majestic sacred mountain. Depart on Day 12
via Thessaloniki.
THE VIKOS GORGE, METEORA, AND THE ABODE OF ZEUS
HIGHLIGHTS
• Hike to the traditional stone-built villages
of Zagoria in the Pindos Mountains
• Follow monks’ pathways up to the surreal
clifftop monasteries of Meteora
• Trek to the summit of Mt. Olympus, a
fitting abode for the gods
DETAILS
• 12-day trip begins in Ioánnina and ends
in Thessaloniki
• 10 nights hotels and traditional
guesthouses, 1 night in mountain refuge
• All meals included except 1 lunch
DATES
May 6-17, 2018
Oct 7-18
TRIP COST
$3695 (10-16 members)
$3995 (2-9 members)
Single supplement: $350
Archaeological Sites of Classical Greece
extension: from $1850
TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4+ 5 6 7
9 hiking days on moderate to steep trails,
2-8 hours a day, altitudes between
3,000-9,400 feet
“Wonderful—the
history, hiking, and
outstanding food
and lodging make
this an A+ trip.”
Erin O., Anchorage AK
Our hikes bring you through the spectacular Vikos
Gorge, to the spell-binding Meteora monasteries,
and up Mt. Olympus, storied home of the gods.
PHOTO: GATSI