Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EPIROS ΗΠΕΙΡΟΣ
Northern Greece's most dramatic terrain lies in Epiros, a place that will (literally) take
your breath away, in the sprawling, impenetrable Pindos Mountains. Bisecting the Pindos
is the magnificent 12km-long Vikos Gorge - probably the world's deepest (900m) - a na-
tional park filled with forests, waterfalls and ice-cold mountain lakes, surrounded by the
Zagorohoria's immaculate stone-and-slate villages.
South of these mountains, Ioannina is a fun, studenty city with character, unfolding
around a placid lake. Straight west, the Ionian coast features long sandy beaches punctu-
ated by archaeological sites. As with the Ionian Islands opposite, a Venetian legacy has
flavoured the so-called 'Epirot Riviera,' especially at photogenic Parga. Further north,
Igoumenitsa's ferries provide access to Italy.
Reaching Epiros is an event in itself. The road from Kalambaka in Thessaly winds
over the Pindos Mountains; from Macedonia, the marvellous Egnatia Odos highway cuts
straight through them, into massive tunnels. Note that this highway is infested with toll
booths and bereft of rest stops.
