Destination: Greece
LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: Northern Exposure
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THREE WEEKS / ALEXANDROUPOLIS TO IGOUMENITSA
Often forgotten with the popularity of the islands, the northern reaches of mainland Greece offer some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.
This journey starts in the port city of Alexandroupolis in eastern Thrace, and heads west through some spectacular mountain scenery to finish at the Adriatic port of Igoumenitsa.
Alexandroupolis itself is not wildly exciting, but it is the starting point for trips north to visit the unique Dadia Forest Reserve, home of rare raptors (birds of prey), and the superb silk museum at
Soufli, or south to the island of
Samothraki and the breathtaking Sanctuary of the Great Gods. From Alexandroupolis, move west via the attractive city of
Kavala, home to an atmospheric Turkish quarter, to the cosmopolitan Macedonian capital of
Thessaloniki, famous for its many fine Byzantine churches and thriving nightlife. It’s worth considering a side trip to historical
Vergina to see the spectacular Royal Tomb of Phillip II of Macedon, before moving south to the home of the gods at Mt Olympus, with its towering peaks in the clouds and the potential for a few days of trekking. From here, loop round the mountains to the amazing rock monasteries of
Meteora. This World Heritage Site makes for an extraordinary visit.
The road west from Meteora into Epiros climbs through the Pindos Mountains via the spectacular Katara Pass, before descending to the ski resort of
Metsovo, a city also famous for its delicious cheese. Hectic
Ioannina warrants an overnight stop en route to the fairytale slate-and-stone
Zagoria Villages; dramatic Vikos Gorge is also nearby. The trip finishes at the port city of
Igoumenitsa, from where travellers can catch a boat to Italy, or to Corfu and the beautiful Ionian islands.
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