Live Entertaining Journey – The Ideal Areas to Stop by in Epirus, the Mysterious Corner of Greece. Most people today have Greece on their bucket lists. With beautiful islands and historic cities, Greece is a single of the most well known summer season tourist places in Europe and the globe. This mountainous region in the south of the Balkan Peninsula is very well-regarded for its ancient heritage, abundant lifestyle, and breathtaking purely natural magnificence. Greece has about 6,000 islands, the great majority of which are situated in the Aegean Sea which lies concerning Greece and Turkey.
When we think of Greece, we ordinarily photograph the well-known acropolis of Athens, the historical ruins of the Peloponnese, crystal blue waters, and very long sandy beach locations. A seasoned traveler or even a frequent tourist may possibly be tempted to think that there’s not considerably left to find out in Greece. But very little is additional from the fact.
Join us as we acquire you to Epirus, a location in western Greece with a extended record, and quite a few locations but to be found out.
The Land of Mountains, Ancient Kings, and Charming Seaside Towns
Epirus is a standard geographic area and a present day administrative device of Greece. It borders the Greeks areas of Western Macedonia and Thessaly in the east, Western Greece in the south, the Ionian Sea in the west, and Albania in the north. The Pindus Mountain vary dominates much of Epirus, stretching from the Albanian border in the north to the Gulf of Corinth in the south. The mountains independent Epirus from the rest of mainland Greece. The capital and greatest town of Epirus is Ioannina, approximately 410 km northwest of Athens.
For the duration of antiquity, Epirus was a alternatively distant spot, dominated by pastoral peoples who inhabited the mountainous area. It grew to become known when Pyrrhus turned the King of Epirus and crossed the Ionian Sea to Italy to struggle the Romans. A couple hundreds of years afterwards, Epirus and Southern Greece arrived under the dominion of the Romans. The Turks and the Venetians also left their mark on the heritage of Epirus.
Welcome to Syvota, an Unforgettable Town on the Ionian Coastline
Syvota is a small city with a lot less than 3,000 inhabitants, on the coastline of the Ionian Sea, about 25 km south of the port metropolis of Igoumenitsa. The city turned a well-liked destination for yachting, owing to its place on the indented coastline that attributes a lot of small islands, inlets, and bays.
As shortly as you get there in Syvota, you will succumb to the allure of this photogenic tiny town. The architecture of Ionian Greece differs from what can be viewed in other pieces of the place, generally thanks to strong Italian cultural influence. Compared with numerous other towns and cities in Greece, Syvota hasn’t nevertheless been opened to mass tourism, so crowds won’t be an concern. The sunset in excess of the Ionian is magnificent when viewed from the town waterfront.
Did we mention that Syvota has no significantly less than 16 seashores in its vicinity? The most scenic of these is Bella Vraka, but we suggest you go and visit the more distant beach locations like Megali and Mikri Ammos. You can hike, take a bus, or rent a motor vehicle if you want to get to the beach locations like Karavostasi, situated additional south down the coastline.
Meet up with Parga: The Haughty Mistress of Epirus
Much less than 30 km to the south of Syvota, lies Parga, the most significant town on the coast of Epirus. No go to to Epirus is total without the need of coming to Parga. At initial, you are going to have the impression you uncovered yourself someplace in Italy. The town’s coloured facades, buzzing slim alleys, and several retailers, cafes, and places to eat are a treat for the senses. There’s something to see and encounter on every corner. Parga rose to prominence underneath the rule of the Venetians, who produced it into an crucial outpost. The Castle of Parga developed on a rocky outcrop jutting out into the blue waters of the Ionian was extensively rebuilt by the Venetians and can be visited these days. Parga also turned regarded for being the birthplace of Ibrahim Pasha, the popular Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire less than Sultan Suleiman the Superb.
Proper across from the town’s waterfront is the compact islet of Panagia. You can take a taxi boat to visit it or swim there from the nearby seashore. A little Orthodox church can be located on the islet, securely concealed in between pines and other foliage.
Promptly to the west of the town, on the other facet of the hill is the well known Valtos Seaside, exactly where you can shell out a excellent working day at the seashore or take pleasure in watersports. It can take only a couple of minutes to get to it by taxi boat but if you are in the temper for a climb and do not intellect finding your way by means of winding alleys, you can also get there on foot. Parga is surrounded by olive groves and pines and enjoys a delicate Mediterranean climate. The weather stays heat till October but our suggestion is that you check out in September, when there are much less crowds. Be confident to reserve your accommodation in advance as it’s not always uncomplicated to find a resort room or an condominium on the spot, specifically all through the top of the summer period.
Go on a Boat Trip and Go to the Islands of Paxi and Antipaxi
You can acquire a ticket to the close by islands of Paxos and Antipaxos at any tourist company in Parga. The boat experience will take about an hour. Most excursions incorporate lunch and allow you go on a swim in some of the sea caves alongside the way. The a lot more adventurous among the you will like the thrill of jumping from the rocky cliffs towering more than the azure waters of the Ionian. The shorelines of Antipaxos and Paxos rank between the most scenic in the Mediterranean.
As you get there at the smaller city of Gaios, on the western shore of Paxos, get some time to steep yourself into Greek mythology. According to an historical Greek myth, the two islands came to be when Poseidon stroke the considerably bigger island of Corfu with his trident, so that he and his spouse can have some relaxation, considerably from anyone.
Fork out a Take a look at to Preveza: The Southern Gate of Epirus
Preveza is perched on the southern close of a peninsula bordered by the Ionian Sea to the west and the Ambracian Gulf to the east. The town and the country bordering it have a record that dates again to Antiquity. Appropriate throughout the narrow strait connecting the Ionian Sea with the Ambracian Gulf is the village of Aktio, the place Mark Anthony and Cleopatra were defeated by the armies of Octavian. These days, there is very little to see that bears testimony to the wonderful naval struggle fought in the waters of the gulf but just to the north of Preveza you can check out the ruins of the Roman metropolis of Nicopolis.
A great deal like Parga, Preveza’s architecture was heavily motivated by the Venetians. As somewhere else in Greece, you will practical experience attribute Greek attraction and get pleasure from the tradition of hospitality that makes Greece these a excellent area to pay a visit to. The regional cuisine will satisfy the tastes of even the most significant gourmands amongst you. Wine connoisseurs will be content to attempt the nearby Debina wine designed from white grapes indigenous to Epirus.
Preveza is served by an worldwide airport, creating it the suitable place to start and/or conclude your take a look at to Epirus.
Our Final Phrase
Greece is an unbelievable place, but get off the overwhelmed route and check out the mysterious corners. You will not be disappointed and have a considerably superior time.
