The Lesser Known Side of Greece
What comes to mind when you think of Greece? Beautiful islands with quaint, white-washed villages? Pristine, picturesque beaches? Mesmerizing sunsets over dramatic volcanic calderas? Well, there’s another side of Greece that is equally enchanting and beautiful. I discovered this facet of Greece when I, and five companions, ventured north to Meteora, the Pindos Mountains, and Vikos Gorge. This area is so rich in history and lore that it’s hard to absorb with just one trip. Plus, it’s full of superlatives: Vikos is the deepest gorge relative to its width in the world, Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage site noted for its architecture and outstanding beauty, and the Zagori region is home to a plethora of well-preserved, ancient stone bridges.
We traveled from Athens via a private transfer (not as expensive as it sounds) and arrived in the mythical village of Meteora, home to one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in the world. Most of the monasteries are open to visitors, but modest clothing and quiet respect is required, as they are still in use by local Orthodox monks. Those perched high on immense natural pillars can present a tough climb up, especially on a warm day.
Our hike along the Vikos Gorge from the lively village of Monodendri to the small hamlet of Vikos took about five hours. It’s a steep climb down (and up), but the trail mostly meanders along the riverbed and leads to the clear water springs of the (seasonal) Voidomatis River. Day two of our hike led us across the river and up to the town of Megalo Papingo, stopping along the way to admire a series of natural rock pools and enjoy a refreshing Greek beer. The entire experience was noteworthy in its uniqueness and spectacular scenery. In addition, the locals we met along the way were beyond friendly and hospitable, and it was refreshing to travel off-the-beaten-path.
The walking tour in its entirety took us eight days to complete. Our hotels along the way were clean and comfortable, and the food was absolutely superb. As a reward for all our hard work, we capped our adventure with a few days on the island of Corfu, followed by a villa rental on the northeastside of Crete, near the town of Agios Nikolaos. Our home for the week was just above the quaint little town of Plaka, and a rental car allowed us to explore a lot of what Crete had to offer, including beaches (of course), ancient ruins (duh), more gorges to hike (why not), and plenty of eating and shopping. One splurge we allowed ourselves was to hire a local chef to come to the villa and prepare an authentic meal for us. What a delightful evening and wonderful experience that I highly recommend to all foodies.
Personally, I feel it’s important these days to consider venturing off-the-beaten-path and exploring the less popular destinations. In doing so, one is able to challenge preconceived norms and discover delights that wouldn’t normally present themselves. My travels usually combine physical challenges mixed with deep, cultural exploration, and it’s a combination which enables me to express myself holistically and to lean into the adventure of travel!
Written By: Kim Helland