Escorted Tours
Scenic Epirus Tour
Few places sum up peace and quiet like Epirus, a timeless region of wild scenic beauty, exceptional tranquillity, and incredible authenticity.
Majestic mountains, deep gorges, rushing translucent rivers, picturesque hump-back bridges, striking stone-built villages, all enhanced by the emerging colours of autumn.
We discovered the special and unique beauty and untouched nature of Epirus when we operated our first tour in the region in 2015 and have been returning every year since!
It’s an area that is a joy to visit anytime. Alongside the magnificent scenery we will discover on this relaxed tour we will learn about the culture and a little of the history of this unique region too and, of course, try some of its tasty regional cuisine.
what’s included
At A Glance
Meet Your Expert tour manager
Jane Freeman
Jane is Travel Editions’ Greece Product and Operations Manager and is based half of the time in the UK and the other half in Crete. She has created and expanded the company’s Greek programme to include history, nature, walking, culinary and cultural tours across the islands and mainland.
Jane particularly enjoys sharing Greece’s traditions, mezze-style cooking and the open-hearted hospitality of its people. Her warm, friendly nature and longstanding relationships with local suppliers are greatly appreciated by travellers, while her instinct for finding places beyond the usual tourist routes gives her tours a distinctive and personal character.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Preveza
On arrival, transfer to Ioannina and check-in to the comfortable boutique-style Anemolia Hotel for a three-night stay.
On arrival we will have dinner at the hotel and enjoy a selection of very tasty home-cooked local dishes.
Day 2: Ioannina
Ioannina, the capital of Epirus, historic and atmospheric, spreads out around Lake Pamvotis and deserves to be explored. We start with a gentle walk by the lake and enter the atmospheric historic quarter that represents a melting pot of religions and cultures.
We will visit the well-preserved inner castle of Its Kale, which offers both history and scenery, and learn a little of Ioannina’s exotic past with a visit to one of two surviving mosques that now houses a small museum that represents the city’s three prominent cultures of the past. We will also learn some of the myths and legends that surround this city associated with the colourful tyrant Ali Pasha, a notorious character who ruled the region for 30 years during almost 500 years of Ottoman occupation. Dinner at a local taverna.
Day 3: Metsovo & Tzoumerka
Built in a wonderful setting on the slopes of the Pindos Mountains this authentic ‘Vlach’ village, a land of farmers and shepherds, is colourfully picturesque with a uniquely traditional character. We will visit the excellent Tositsas mansion, which provides a fascinating snapshot of life in the past in this mountainous village that is usually snow-covered in winter, and gain an understanding of the famous benefactors of Epirus, who were vital for providing financial help to their homeland, building schools, libraries, hospitals, and without whom Epirus would be a very different place today.
Tzoumerka is another part of Epirus filled with sumptuous mountain scenery. Our visit here just touches the edge of Tzourmerka, which, overall is a difficult area to access because of the mountains and tricky roads, but our destination, the little village of Elliniko, close to Ioannina, offers us stunning views of this magnificent region, as well as a beautiful monastery and a very unusual museum. Evening at leisure.
Day 4: Zagoria Villages
Pies, as you will quickly discover, are a huge part of the Epirot cuisine, providing a substantial dish even in the poorest of times. Today we have an opportunity to participate in making some of these local pies at a village bakery that describes themselves as ‘the best bakery in the world’! The village, Zitsa, is also renowned for its excellent sparkling wine, which has been awarded a European PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), and while our pies are cooking ready for us to enjoy altogether, we shall visit a winery to discover why these wines are so popular.
After our tasty lunch, it’s on to the exceptionally scenic region of Zagoriahoria, an area that comprises 46 uniquely picturesque stone-built villages, scenic hump-back bridges and a wonderful tranquility. Check-in to the Philoxenia Hotel, Monodendri for a four-night stay. Evening at leisure.
Day 5: Zagoriahoria
Our first day in this stunning region will be a leisurely one, exploring in and around the village, starting with a gentle walk to the 15th century Agia Paraskevi monastery where we catch the first incredible views of the stunning Vikos Gorge, another highlight of the area. Later we will visit the ‘Stone Forest’, a natural geological monument formed by the hands of time and nature, and, at neighbouring Vitsa village, there will be time to enjoy a relaxed lunch under a grandiose plane tree, a central feature of all Zagorian villages. Evening at leisure.
Day 6: Epirus Stone Bridges
An exceptional trademark of the region, these architectural masterpieces speak of a bygone era. Vital in the past, these bridges were the only connection between the villages until roads appeared in the 1950s. After visiting some of the bridges, of all shapes and sizes, we will have a brief stop to admire the incredible Vradeto steps, a complicated construction and a real feat of engineering that created a stairway directly onto a steep rockface, for both people and donkeys, before heading to Vradetto for a tasty lunch. Evening at leisure.
Day 7: Voidomatis River
Today we visit one of the most picturesque, and probably the most well-known of the villages of Zagoria, Megalo Papigo. We shall also encounter the beauty of the crystal clear Voidomatis River, one of the cleanest rivers in Europe, that has a constant temperature of little more than 4 degrees. Our day will finish with an opportunity for lunch at an enticing taverna in the Megalo Papigo. Evening at leisure.
Day 8: Return to London Gatwick
Morning drive to Igoumenitsa to catch the ferry to Corfu. A lovely crossing, which takes us to the outskirts of historic Corfu Town where there might be time for a little exploring before heading to the airport for the return flight to London Gatwick.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“A beautifully organised tour through an extraordinary region. The scenery was stunning throughout, and our driver Nico was exceptional: calm, skilled, and endlessly helpful, often going above and beyond to make the journey smooth for everyone. A thoroughly enjoyable and memorable holiday.”
Mr G, October 2025
“A very enjoyable trip with varied landscapes, comfortable hotels, and smooth organisation throughout. Everything ran to your usual high standard, and I appreciated how easy and relaxed the whole experience felt. Another lovely holiday with Travel Editions.”
Ms S, October 2025
“Scenic Epirus was breathtaking: the mountains, villages, and autumn colours were unforgettable. I particularly loved the warmth of the Philoxenia Hotel and its excellent home-cooked food. Jane was a superb guide: knowledgeable, kind and wonderfully organised. A delightful tour that I would happily repeat.”
Mrs W, October 2025
Availability
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HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Anemolia Hotel, Amifithea, Ioannina
This very comfortable four-star hotel overlooking Lake Pamvotis is located approximately 4 kms from Ioannina’s city centre. Set in landscaped gardens, facilities include a bar, spa, including sauna and hot tub, and a lovely outdoor pool (seasonal). The well-appointed and tastefully decorated bedrooms include all modern amenities, air-conditioning and balcony.
Anemolia Hotel Website
Philoxenia Hotel, Monodendri
Featuring wooden ceilings and floors, warm colours and dark wood furnishings; the family-run Philoxenia hotel offers comfortable pristine bedrooms with private bathrooms. A breakfast buffet, with wonderful homemade dishes, is served daily in the tastefully furnished dining area. Hotel facilities include a bar, outdoor and indoor seating area.
Philoxenia Hotel Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This is one of our more relaxed-paced tours, designed to allow you to enjoy the itinerary at a comfortable rhythm. As with all Travel Editions tours, you should expect some walking between visits, periods of standing during guided tours, and the ability to get on and off a coach or train independently.
As many of our tours visit historic places, occasional steps, slopes, cobbles or uneven surfaces may still be encountered, particularly in old towns, gardens, churches and heritage buildings. Please read the day-by-day itinerary for any specific notes about stairs, ground conditions, walking distances or time on your feet.
If pace or mobility is an important consideration, please contact us before booking and our team will be happy to discuss whether this tour is the right fit for you.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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