Blogs from Ioannina, Epirus, Greece, Europe

Am descoperit o zona deosebita atat prin istorie cat si prin arhitectura-zona podurilor de piatra. Am ales cazarea la Hotel/Pensiunea Machalas din orasul Kipoi aproape de Ioanina, zona minelor de argint. Impropriu spus camera ca era deja apartament, cu bucatarie, sufragerie, elemente vintage deosebite, candelabre, tavan pictat, lada de zestre, totul intr-o constructie de piatra. Am stat 3nopti la 175 euro.... read more

Woolly says – Our bus trip went without a hitch, I have to hand it to Jo she seems to be getting the travel arrangements down to a tea....talking of tea is it time for food yet? Two and a half hours after leaving the quiet peaceful town of Meteroa and having admired the mountainous landscapes on the winding Greek roads we arrived in the hustle and bustle of Ioannina. This is the capital and largest city of Epirus, an administrative region in north-western Greece, with a population of 112,486 (in 2011). It lies at an elevation of around 500 metres (1,640 feet) above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis. Founded by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, Ooooooo it’s just like being back in Turkey! The town flourished following ... read more

We have just spent a glorious day hiking in the mountains in the snow in a place called Vikos Gorge. We walked up a 500 year old path that goes between one 16th century village and another. On the way home we stopped at one of the many old stone bridges and enjoyed our cup of tea (well it looked like a cup of tea but was actually gin and lemon which stays icy cold in the car) to take in the sights. We were once again entertained by a local version of Pooh Sticks, where people throw rocks from the bridge to the ice below to see if they can break the ice. At present we are staying in a renovated 500 year old house in one of the 46 villages that make up the ... read more

So today we left the Dovitel Hotel, and took a tour of the Perama Caves. I would write about it, because it was very beautiful, but the whole day was overshadowed by a very bad incident. Something that has altered my entire outlook of my time spent here, something that has hurt me deeply. We have been dealing with dirty looks from old men, and sleazy looks from young men. We have had rude people, and people who have made it clear they only deal with us so they can have our money. I was overlooking that, ignoring it for the most part, because there is a cultural difference, and two lone women, traveling so far is probably so far from the relm of life for them, it becomes a bit scary. Also because we have ... read more

Actually in Konitsa and have asked for it to be added to the database. A whole load of fantastic scenery today. After a quick blast up the Via Egnatia, amazing in an engineering sense, tunnels, bridges, up into mountains, we took the old highway (E90) from Siatista to Konitsa. This road is fantastic, narrow in places, mountain passes, bends, hairpins, wild scenery, eagles, rivers, and almost n traffic. We stopped and took some photos on the way, which will probably not do justice to the scenery, but never mind. I was able to drift along for 150KM of sheer fun. Ashley was driving so I got to see more of the scenery and the wildlife, like the eagle who flew up beside me, giving me good front and rear views as he caught into the air ... read more