Tzoumerka – Hidden Secrets of Epirus “Christmas 2024 & New Year 2025”
Tzoumerka – Hidden Secrets of Epirus “Christmas 2024 & New Year 2025”
- Breathtaking Scenery: Tzoumerka boasts stunning mountain landscapes. The snow-capped peaks create a picturesque backdrop for holiday celebrations.
- Rich Cultural Heritage: The region is steeped in tradition. Visitors can explore local customs and enjoy festive events unique to Epirus.
- Gastronomic Delights: Tzoumerka offers delicious traditional dishes. Enjoy hearty meals made from local ingredients, perfect for winter gatherings.
- This hidden gem in Epirus promises an unforgettable holiday experience filled with beauty, culture, and adventure.
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Destinations: Arta – Monolithi Tzoumerka, Agnanta – Kistades – Anemotiris Cave – Pramanta – Agia Paraskevi Monastery,Kipina Monastery – Kalarrites, Mesologi
Region: Epirus
Accommodation: Monolithi
Tour Language: English
Age Range: 1- to 99-year-old
Available: All Year Round
Departures: Daily
- A unique stay in Monolithi Tzoumerka to get to know the villages and life in these places and not in distant cities with tiring daily routes.
- Excursion to the most beautiful villages of Epirus and one of the most beautiful in Greece, Agnanta, Pramanta, Kalarrites.
- Visit the cave of Anemotripas in Pramanta, which crosses the river throughout its length. The cave has the characteristic blue and green water cavities and ponds.
- We will climb the Plaka Bridge, the largest monotonous Balkan bridge and 3rd largest in Europe. The Arta Bridge is the most famous stone bridge in Greece.
- Visit the Holy Monastery of Kipina, literally perched on the rock, a real “eagle” on the rocks of Tzoumerka.
- Visit Arta and Historic Mesolongi
- The view of the grand mountains of Tzoumerka.
Arta
Departure from Athens early in the morning for the beautiful Tzoumerka. On our way we will make the necessary stops to reach Arta with her legendary bridge for photos.
We will continue to visit the Castle of Arta, a representative sample of Byzantine fortification architecture located in the northeast part of the city of Arta and was built in 1230 AD by Michael II Komninos Doukas, the Despot of Despot.
Our latest visit to the city, the “noble of Arta”, the church of Our Lady of the consolation, which was founded in 1285 by Nikiforos I Komninos Doukas.
We leave behind Arta for our final destination in Tzoumerka. Arrival at our hotel in Monolithi Tzoumerka. Arrangement, dinner and overnight.
Tzoumerka
The cliffs of Epirus
A foot and a half of Greece’s tallest mountain, Mount Pindos, consists of easterly facing peaks. This is where you should go if you are looking for the 47 villages lost somewhere in the Athamanian Mountains called Tzoumerka Villages. While some prefer to call them the Athamania Mountains, Tzoumerka is the geographical stretch that separates the regions Epirus and Thessaly.
You are almost certain to get captivated by the magnificent wild space, thirsting waters, winter and summer magic of stone villages, but what will really overwhelm you comes from the incredibly kind and warm souled people and the equally rich local culture. In the middle part of the majority of the area, draped between the Arachthos River on the west and the Acheloos River on the east, there are unspoiled landscapes and numerous interesting sights, for instance, stone bridges or churches hewn into the rock. While you travel across the gameplay, these pictures, lakes created by humans, complete with underwater caves, gorges and cliffs of severe beauty and incredible heights become a part of your eyes which are hard to forget.
Many other options exist in the entire area, where people can go for adrenaline pumping activities, and the most popular one is white water rafting, specifically in the Kalarritiko and Ipeiros River which are both adjacent to the region. Starting from Vourgareli, Athamanio, and Theodoriana, the zona for the “fir-adlive” part of Tzoumerka, Kypseli, Katarraktis, Plaka with its well-known bridge, Agnanta shaped like an amphitheatre with Raxiana hills right to the north of it, Raftanaioi, Ktistades, Rpamanta with its busy restaurants, the grills, even the aristocratic Syrrako and Kalarrites villages – all these sites and such fascinating beauty is packed in the area! Tzoumerka are mainly for nature lovers and those seeking journeys on unbeaten paths and adventure in nature.
Considerations
During wintertime, there will be slight changes in the itinerary due to the fact that the archaeological sites close at 3 pm while remaining open till 5-7 pm during summertime. Athens Tours Greece offer you the chance to create your own plan and customize it staying on the same route based on your preferences and requirements, making the most of your valuable time. Also, the full-day tour is available for driving with a minibus or bus, for larger groups.
In this case, the itinerary can also be customized and will be shorter (due to international driving safety regulations), again based on your specific needs and requirements. Your private guide is at your disposal at any time to discuss and plan your private full-day tour accordingly.
MOUNTAIN PARADISE
After our morning, we start to get to know the north side of the county, next to the Tzoumerka National Park.
Our first stop is Anganda, one of the largest villages of Tzoumerka at an altitude of 650m. Then the village of Kistades: The older name was Kosovist, but was renamed Kistades in 1927 because almost the entire male population practiced the profession of builder.
We continue with a visit to the Anemotripas Cave in Pramanta (individual expenses), the only cave in Greece, which crosses the river throughout its length. When touring the cave, one observes ponds, most impressive towards the end of the route. This lake is blue in color, not because of its depth, but because of the quartz crystals on its bottom, and from a rare precipitate, called polyxenium.
This sediment, which has the ability to spread into space, manages to unite the stalactites with each other and make them look like corrugated curtain formations. At the same time, polyxenium, in combination with calcite, create caverns in the cave, which are green in color and, especially in winter, are filled with water. It is considered the whitest cave in Greece, as it hosts pure limestone!
We continue with the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi and then stop at Pramanta Kefalochori, where we will have free time for walking and lunch (individual expenses). Return to our hotel dinner and overnight.
Monolithi
Moments of relaxation and exceptional contact with a place of wild natural beauty
With 307 permanent residents, according to the latest census, Monolithi is one of the largest villages of the municipal unit of Katsanohoria, built in a green environment.
From the village you can enjoy the view towards the Tzoumerka mountain range at the Goura position at an altitude of 1,350 meters, towards Arachthos from the Agnataki position and the panoramic view towards Arachthos and the village of Chouliarades from the Orsides position.
Exploring Anemotripas Cave in Pramanta
The Unparalleled Beauty of Tzoumerka Cave in Greece
The cave within the Greek region Epirus, Tzoumerka, located in Greece, an almost exceptional natural wonder that serves fine all year round.
The Anemotrypa cave is located three kilometers from Pramanta, west of Stroggoula, and at an altitude of 900 meters (2,953 feet). This is the one and only cave with lakes of gray, brass, or white colors.
It was found that in 1960 the Anemotrypa cave was explored and opened for tourists. Two local boys Apostolis Lambris and Georgios K. Karakostas were asked by the village leader to work hard to increase in size one of the narrow slits in the limestone rock wall.
It produced particularly great matters resembling a piston, because some cool air was coming out of it, to enable the opening of the underground gallery.
Exploring the Monastery of Agia Paraskevi at Pramanta Kefalochori
Agia Paraskevi Monastery
Just outside town, on the road to Melissourgoi, there is the Holy Monastery of Saint Paraskevi, at Pramanta, on a small rise.
It was established in 1876-1878 by a monk, a brother, Dionysios, whose name was Dimitrios on the secular side, the son of Theodoros, simply Noutsos or Noutzos, over an old church dedicated to Saint Paraskevi. From the small basilica, monk from Pramanta went in search of money for the construction of the present day monastery and the churches to be built much later in time at the respective sites.
The monastery together with its vast territory is not only a place of Christian worship, but it is also a recreational and resting point due to clear, fresh water and excellent weather conditions. The church, a large, three-apse basilica, has four pillars for each wing. In the center of the church there is the iconostasis with icons of 1839 transported from the chapel, dedicated to Agia Paraskevi, otherwise called as Megali Vrysi (Big Fountain), which used to be located in the buildings, which stood near the church. Current church services are no longer conducted at the monastery.
Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Tzoumerka
Breakfast and we leave to get to know more beauties of the place. We start with the historic Plaka bridge that connects Tzoumerka with the Katsanohoria and by extension Ioannina with Arta. Built in 1866 and reconstructed in 2019, it is one -sided, with a 40 -meter arch opening, a height of 21 meters and with an opening of 3.2 meters. It is considered the largest monotonous Balkan bridge and the third largest in Europe. Over the years it has collapsed three times in 1860, 1863 and 2015, the last time after heavy rainfall. After the collapse of 2015, its reconstruction was launched shortly afterwards and the main part of the project was completed in December 2019.
Next stop the Kipina Monastery, perhaps the most impressive monastery of Epirus, near the village of Kalarrites. It is probably due to its names in the gardens, cultivated by the monks in a rocky and rough area. It is believed to have been built during the 13th century and is dedicated to the Assumption. What is striking is that it is built in a rock, on a steep slope above the Kalarritic River! The devotion and serenity dominate the space.
We will then visit the beautiful village of Kalarrites, which is at an altitude of 1200 meters and is the home of the famous silver -plated. We will have free time to stroll through the preserved settlement or for a meal (individual expenses). Return to our hotel, dinner and overnight.
Exploring Plaka Bridge
The Plaka Bridge in the region of Arta was constructed in the year 1866 on the river Arachthos. It has an arch spanning over 40 meters with a height of 20 meters.
It has been declared a protected historical bridge with great zest in Greece and elsewhere. The construction of the bridge was intended to facilitate communication and trade with neighboring regions. This fact is reinforced by the occlusion of the entrance which includes the bridge. After the first Balkan war in 1913, southern Epirus was the territory invaded by valiant Greek soldiers.
Those two southern borders were joined by Konispol and Kiafa in the west, and Pinde in the east. Despite sufficing responsive repair measures of the dilapidated structure, the foundation piers suffered significant undermining chiefly underwater with opposition towards the big efforts.
Holy Kipina Monastery
Equipped with a drawbridge to protect it from enemy assaults,Pecmal monastery beats a beautiful view of Rajac valley. It is a 13th-century monument standing on a mountain.
In the shadow of the steep Kalarytikos River gorge of Tzoumerkas Mountains in Greece stands a grotto temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The rock massif was once mined and the existing buildings emerged among the rocks so to say. This is a monastery in Kipina. Built up by Christians using the rock of the surrounding mountains.
In the beginning of the XIII-th century some of the monks from the nearby Vyliza Monastery went to establish a new settlement after a quarrel with their leader. While exploring the land, they, the monks, saw a mountainous formation that had a big hole in it. They went up the hill based on the idea that there was this hole up in the mountain.
However, when they almost reached the cave opening, they encountered an abyss six meters wide. The group of monks did not become disheartened, and without hesitating, they extended some wooden poles over the chasm and managed to cross it.
Mesologi
After our breakfast, we will say goodbye to this wonderful place and take our return to Athens.
In the midst of the route we will visit the historical Mesolongi. We will cross the gate of the exit, where the hero’s garden is shown just behind the impressive fortress walls of the city. It hosts the emblematic tomb of the heroes, where within it are the bones of the Upper Free Sieges. We will also see the burial monuments of Mark Botsaris and Lord Byron, as well as the House – Museum of Kostis Palamas and the Trikoupi brothers, which impress with their gardens and their simple architectural face. Equally beautiful is the town hall of Messolonghi, the church of St. Spyridon and the Valvius Municipal Library.
We will have free time for a walk and a meal (individual expenses). In the evening and with the necessary stops we will return to Athens full of subtle images of our country.
Considerations
- In the event of bad weather (snow or ice or other dangerous phenomena), it may not be accessible to visit some points.
- In any case, the visits will be replaced with alternatives.
- Due to the weather conditions, we recommend that you have a small break with you and appropriate rain/snow shoes in the event of rainfall/snowfall. Sports closed shoes or booties are recommended for our excursions.
- On this journey we will live the beauty of the mountain villages of Greece with the beautiful traditional flavors of the place, where we are not awaiting a “spectacular morning”, or festive dinners but the greatness of simplicity!
Included
- Transportation /transfers with air -conditioned vehicle during the excursion.
- Three nights at the 3* Plaka Bridge Hotel in Monolithi.
- Half board (3 mornings and 3 dinners).
- Experienced travel escort driver of our office.
- Liability security.
Not Included
- Entrance to museums, caves, monasteries, archaeological sites & signs of interest.
- Meals not described in the program.
- Drinks during dinners. Residence tax.
- What is not mentioned in the above program.
- Personal expenses
