Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Áno Pedhiná
ÁNO PEDHINÁ
(Soudhená), 3km west of Vítsa and Monodhéndhri, offers a few places
with
rooms
and some superior
hotels
. At the base of the village stands the restored
convent of Evangelístria
, currently untenanted. Should you gain admission, you'll see
the
katholikón'
s magnificent carved
témblon
and vivid, cleaned frescoes from 1793,
though the structure is much older. Nearby Káto Pedhiná is headquarters for
worthwhile
activity organizer
Compass Adventures
(see below).
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
ZAGÓRI AND THE VÍKOS GORGE
By bus
From Ioánnina to Vítsa and Monodhéndhri, the bus
leaves on Mon & Fri, at 6.15am and 2pm. Buses leave
Ioánnina for
Áno Pedhiná, and Dhílofo on Mon, Wed & Fri,
at 6.15am and 4.15pm. On the same days, another bus
leaves Ioánnina for the Pápingo villages and Áno Klidhoniá
at 5.15am and 2.30pm. Each trip takes about an hour, and
all services then make immediate return trips.
By taxi
A taxi from Ioánnina to Monodhéndhri will cost
about €45.
ACTIVITIES
Alpine Zone
Ioséf Eliyía 16
T
26510 23222,
W
alpinezone.gr.
This Ioánnina-based operator offers
rafting, canyoning, trekking and a full range of other
activities in the
Píndhos. Weekend springtime rafting
packages, with an overnight stay in Pápingo, start at €100
for two persons, equipment and breakfast included.
3
Compass Adventures
Káto Pedhiná
T
26530 71770,
W
compassadventures.gr.
This operator offers primarily
hiking/trekking and mountain biking, plus ski trips. For
example, their hike of Víkos Gorge lasts 6-7 hours, includes
an English-speaking guide and equipment and goes for
€30, plus transport if provided for under 3 persons.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Monodhéndhri
is the most popular accommodation base, but far from the only one. Every hamlet within spitting
distance of the gorge has some form of rooms, and at least one taverna or snack bar. But you won't get a room anywhere
without prior booking from mid-July through to late August; during the rest of the year, this applies also to weekends
and official holidays.
house is worth a
side-
trip. Breakfast, included, consists of
all local products.
€90
MONODHÉNDHRI
Ì
Monodendri
T
26530 71300,
W
monodendrihotel
.com.
Newly done up in sumptuous style and as close to a
real luxury hotel as the area will ever see. There's also a very
nice restaurant here (mai
ns €
6.50), with terrace-view
seating. Breakfast included.
€50
Pítes tis Thrósos
T
26530 71320.
Located just up from
the platía, one of three tavernas with seating all around the
big tree, this friendly, family-run place has standard Greek
fare as well as such local specialities as
alevrópitta
(a heavy
dish made from dough, egg and cheese). About €12 for a
full meal.
Daily lunch & dinner.
ELÁTI
Elati
T
26530 71181,
W
hotelelati.gr.
Run by Canadian-
Greek Alex Yiannakopoulos, this replica stone mansion has
every comfort, including home-made meals on the
panoramic veranda. Rooms are s
imp
le and colourful, with
private bath. Breakfast included.
€85
Ì
Sta Riza
T
26530 71550.
This traditional taverna
offers local
píttes
, vegetarian choices, such as the cheese
ramekin with aubergine, and grills and casseroles, with
good house wines and local
tsipouro
, too. Local specialities
include various game dishes, stewed with nuts and fruit.
Great views over the gorge from the balconies. About €12/
person.
Daily lunch & dinner.
VÍTSA
O Troas
T
26530 71123.
This restored-mansion inn, just
below the fine platía, features five large rooms with
modern baths, an old mural of Sebastopol in the upstairs
lounge, an
d a
pleasant café/courtyard for breakfast
(included).
€50
ÁNO PEDHINÁ
Ameliko
T
26530 71501 or 694 47 72 638,
W
ameliko.gr.
Hotel consisting of three buildings,
featuring stylishly appointed rooms with working
fireplaces and views of either the village or the garden;
there's also an on-
site
restaurant (meals about €15).
Breakfast included.
€90
DHÍLOFO
Arhondiko Dhilofo
T
26530 22455,
W
dilofo.com.
Centuries old and filled with treasures, about which the
owner will be happy to hold forth, this sumptuous mansion
