Welcome to Greece! Upon arrival at Thessaloniki Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the city center. After checking in, there’s time to relax or explore the city on your own — to walk by the sea, wander through its lively streets, and take in your first impressions of Greece. Later in the afternoon, we meet for a short walk together through Thessaloniki’s historic heart. As one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, it carries stories from Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman times within its walls and squares. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner at a small local taverna. Around a shared table, you’ll be introduced to Greek flavors and the idea of sharing food — homemade dishes, local wine, and warm hospitality that set the tone for the days to come.

We leave Thessaloniki and travel west towards Zagori, a land of stone villages and deep gorges shaped by time. Our journey ends in Vradeto, the highest village of the region, surrounded by wide views and mountain quiet. After a short lunch, we hike to the Beloi viewpoint, where the vast Vikos Gorge opens below us in impressive scale. We return to Vradeto and follow the historic Vradeto Steps — a remarkable stone staircase once carved by villagers as their only link to the world below. The trail brings us to Kapesovo, a quiet, picturesque village where we pause for coffee in the square, enjoying the calm rhythm of village life, before continuing to Tsepelovo, our base for the next two days.

After breakfast, we visit a small bee farm close to Tsepelovo. The owner welcomes us with protective suits and guides us among the hives, explaining the life of the bees and their role in the mountain ecosystem. Back at his workshop, we see the full process of honey production and other beekeeping products. We also take part in preparing a small product of our own — something to bring back as a sweet memory. We return to the village for lunch, and in the early afternoon, we visit a traditional "archontiko" — a typical Zagori mansion now open as a small museum filled with folklore items and everyday objects from the past. Later in the day, there’s time to relax before gathering again for dinner in a local restaurant.

Today we follow the famous Bridges Trail, a beautiful hike through forest paths, streams, and the iconic stone bridges of Zagori. Along the way, we talk about the history and myths surrounding each bridge — how they were built by local craftsmen and how these stone arcs shaped the daily life and connections between the villages. At the Mylos (Mill) Bridge, we meet a local cooking team who introduce us to the art of foraging — collecting ingredients from nature — and outdoor cooking. Depending on the season, we may gather wild asparagus in spring or mushrooms in autumn, and prepare a simple meal together by the river. After our picnic with local delicacies, we continue our walk and early in the afternoon reach the village of Vitsa, where we stay for the next two nights. Dinner is served under the plane tree in the village square — a peaceful evening that captures the essence of mountain life in Zagori.

TThis morning we leave Vitsa and follow the forgotten path of Kokkini, an old route that once connected the villages, leading us to Monodendri. From there, we take an ancient "kalderimi" (cobbled path) up to the Oxia viewpoint, where we enjoy wide views over the Vikos Gorge from the opposite side. Returning to Monodendri, we visit a local workshop to see how weaving has been practiced through the generations, using traditional wooden looms still in use today. Later, we head back to Vitsa for a cooking workshop, learning how locals prepare their traditional dishes. We end the day sharing the dinner we’ve made together under the plane tree in the village square — a warm and flavorful end of the day.

After breakfast, we wander through the cobbled paths of Vitsa and stop at a small cultural hub, where the owner shares stories about Zagori’s stone-built architecture and village life. A hidden trail then leads us to the quiet ruins of the Monastery of Prophet Elias, tucked away in the forest. From here, we follow an old mule path towards Ano Pedina, slowing down for a soundscape walk — listening, recording, and tuning in to the natural rhythms of the landscape. We arrive in Ano Pedina for a relaxed village lunch, before spending time with local craftsmen who create the glitsa, the shepherds’ traditional wooden walking stick. In the afternoon, a beautiful, less-travelled path takes us towards Elafotopos, before a short transfer to Kato Pedina for dinner and a quiet evening at our hotel.

Our final full day in Zagori unfolds in the quiet village of Pedina. After breakfast, we stay close to the hotel and spend the morning with locals who share their cooking traditions — learning how bread and other mountain dishes are prepared with care and simplicity. There’s time to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the village before taking one last look at the art of weaving, a craft that still connects people to their roots. In the evening, we gather for a simple celebration, sharing food, conversation, and the feeling of having experienced Zagori together before our journey comes to a close.

We depart from Zagori after breakfast and travel back towards Thessaloniki. Along the way, we stop in the mountain town of Metsovo — once the capital of the Vlachs, a nomadic people who still preserve their unique traditions. Here, we visit Katogi Averoff, one of the oldest wineries in Greece, for a tour of the cellars and an insight into the winemaking methods of the region. Afterwards, we continue to Thessaloniki and check in at our hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the city, stroll along the waterfront, or simply enjoy a final taste of Greece before departure.

After breakfast, our journey comes to an end. Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be transferred to Thessaloniki Airport for departure, or you may choose to continue your travels to your next destination.