Greece: A journey to the Highlands of Greece!

Beautiful small villages and proud mountains sleeping in the crystal breath of winter...

Pamvotida Lake

A lake is always beautiful. Any and every moment of the day that you let your eyes embrace its serene surface. It can be a heavenly mirror that reflects the majesty of the sky or a magical and mysterious kingdom when the gray veils of the fog caress unhurriedly its surface. “Pamvotida”, especially, the lake of Ioannina city in northern Greece, is a canvas of a particular beauty, in the heart of winter, as tall, white Mountains stand around majestically and the impressive castle walls of the city stand as guards. This beautiful city and its unique nature are steadily becoming a pole of attraction during this period, as the visitors venture in the nearby natural landscapes and villages, one of which, “Zitsa”, is offered for an exceptional wine-tasting experience! The capital of Epirus, Ioannina, is the best starting point to embark on this adventure and discover the unique highland nature of Epirus and its famous hospitality, its mesmerizing flavors and aromas, the soul of winter in all its glory.

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The people of Epirus (which in reality means “Highlands” in greek), have been through many hardships in the course of history, and have learned to cope with the inhospitable nature and the cold winter nights, to cultivate the earth with their rough hands and to always welcome their fellowmen, with a warm and hearty handshake and a glass of “tsipouro” (strong alcoholic beverage). It is the same warm way by which they are going to welcome you in every village, in every little tavern and offer you a “meze” (small tapas), because nature itself with all its adversities has showed to them the true value of companionship.

Ioannina city, capital of Epirus

Ioannina will be your base for your explorations in the mountains and villages in the land. The hotels in the city offer, in their majority, a high standard and some are known for their excellent quality and services as is the case of the most famous of all, the Gran Serai, where the orient glamour has transformed an old hotel into a luxurious complex. Also known is the Epirus Palace with an equal taste for glamour and the Du Lac complex, by the lake. On the other hand, the center of the city can offer some exquisite hotels, such as the Metropolis Hotel or you can stay at the “Frontzou Politeia”, a majestic complex, situated on the Frontzos hill, and overlooking the town, offering some spectacular views.

In Ioannina you can do everything: from shopping to staying up all night in beautiful bars hidden in small alleys, you can explore the paved streets to admire the Castle and the lake, or walk at your leisure at the new pedestrian center or even take your bicycle and go for a tour around the lake in the new bicycle lane, as per the European standards. It is indeed an impressive city, with many choices, where nature engulfs it all year round with unique beauty, and sometimes with a somewhat frozen embrace. Especially during the winter months, you can enjoy the rare phenomenon, when nature creates sculptures out of ice next to the lake with the help of strong frozen winds! After strolling around the narrow alleys of the Castle and the magical lakeside, or in the heart of the old town, you can leave the beauty of Ioannina behind and start exploring the really mesmerizing nature around you, still sleeping in the crystal breath of the cold winter.

The village of Zitsa

As an alternative solution, for those of you who want to live a lazy and laid back rhythm of a small village, then head to nearby Zitsa village, home to some of the best wines of the Epirus region and of the whole Greece. There, you will find the charming Agnadi hotel with exquisite aesthetics and majestic views across the village. Zitsa village, lies at a very close distance from Ioannina and is famous mainly for the production of wine, the most famed of which is the sparkling white wine of the local white grape variety, known as "Debina", which is internationally recognized. Just half an hour from the airport of Ioannina, Zitsa can offer you not only the beauties of the countryside, but you can also have a chance to indulge in a tasting trip, visiting the wineries of the region, such as "Glinavos" or the "Zoinos Winery" and enjoying fine wine and "tsipouro" together with local delicacies.

You can make some interesting discoveries in the village itself, like the unique “bibliokipos” (Garden of books) belonging to Anna Ellis, from USA, and a permanent resident of Zitsa, who has opened the first bookshop in the village and at the same time has offered a space for intellectual culture. You can also visit Profet Elia's Monastery, situated on the hill of the same name, where Lord Byron himself has stayed for a few days during his visit to the region, and has praised the beauty of the place. A walk to the local art gallery of Zitsa may also be an interesting experience, admiring the engraving work of some important Greek artists.

The bridge of God

Following the river of Kalama, just outside the village you will come upon an impressive monument built solely by the forces of nature, widely known as "Theogefyro" (God's Bridge); a naturally formed bridge, standing over you, imposing, twenty meters above the raging waters and was created as a result of the persistent river eating out the rock in its way. Close by, you can find the “Watermill of Achilles”, once an old mill, and now the base of inspiration for an impressive traditional building that functions as a coffeehouse and a restaurant in a place of a stunning and unique natural beauty. There, you can taste the well-known river trout and the infamous “proveio” (lamb meat), a mouth watering lamb that has been slowly baked in a traditional stone oven for twelve hours! Epirus is definitely a place where you can discover, on your own, a thousand more magical places, in this wonderful, and at the same time wild land, that has tied up nature and its dwellers in a winter fairy tale.

(Published in KATHIMERINI ©, on May 11, 2013 (transl. & edited from greek, original here )