The impressive Rio–Antirrio Bridge
Back on the road and heading out of the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece. The other spot besides the bridges over the Corinth Canal that connect the Peloponnese to the mainland is the impressive Rio–Antirrio Bridge that crosses the Gulf of Corinth and carried a very hefty toll of 13.80 Euro. Wouldn’t want that to be part of my daily commute.
Our first stop was Nafpaktos and after hitting Nafplio on WWII Day we rolled into Nafpaktos on the first day of a traditional fair that lasts an entire week in order to celebrate St. Dimitrios who is the patron saint of the city. To say that the place was hopping on a Saturday is an big understatement and traffic was at a crawl.
The multi-tiered Castle of Nafpaktos dominates the skyline.
One of the traditions of this festival is roast pig and they do it in a big way. There was no less than 10 restaurants that were roasting anywhere from 4 to 12 pigs at a time and serving up some awesome pork. We bought 20 Euro’s worth and it lasted us 3 meals.
This was one of the smaller restaurants serving up roast pig.
Nafpaktos has a picturesque port in the shape of a horseshoe with an opening of 35 meters. Left and right to the entrance are two towers and it is surrounded by cafes and restaurants.
The port of Nafpaktos at sunset with the Rio–Antirrio Bridge in the distance.
Fishing boats in the harbor at the Port of Nafpaktos
After a couple of nights in Nafpaktos at the Hotel Akti (which we highly recommend) we were on the road again. The destination was Ioannina but we made a quick detour to the National Park of Messolonghi-Etoliko Lagoons. A couple of rivers drain into this area and create a huge lagoon area abutting the sea that hosts a rich bird and fish habitat. I looked out at some birds in the lagoon and did a bit of a double-take but when I zoomed in I was looking at the first pink flamingos I had ever seen in the wild. Lots of cranes and herons too and some cool looking traditional fishing boats made for some nice photos.
Pink flamingo with a blue heron in the background
Traditional Greek fishing boat
Then it was on to Ioannina (pronounced Ee-Oh-An-Nina) a university town set on Lake Pamvotis and surrounded by mountains. Like many of the places we visited it reflects both a Byzantine and Ottoman past in its architectual styles. Our hotel was inside the walled old town and getting in and out required us to pull in our sideview mirrors to fit the narrow streets.
The Municipal Ethnographic Museum of Ioannina – situated in the former Mosque of Aslan Pasha
Miniature chapel outside the main entrance to the Ioannina castle
Lake Pamvotis with the Mosque of Aslan Pasha in the background
One of the main reasons to visit Ioannina is the surrounding countryside and the Zagori region which contains both Vikos–Aoös National Park and the Pindus National Park.
The Vikos Gorge according to the Guinness Book of World Records is the steepest and deepest canyon in the world. And it is impressive but for sheer beauty along with plenty of steep and plenty of deep, I prefer the Grand Canyon
The stone Bridge of Kokoris in Central Zagori was first built in 1750
The triple arched Stone Bridge of Plakidas was built in 1814.
The mountain town of Metsovo is also found in the Zagori region and is a popular winter destination and ski area.
Metsovo has a very charming alpine feel to it and is known for its cheese and wine making
Almost done with Greece, just one more post and then on to Sicily and Southern Italy. So far just one day of rain and a few minor sprinkles. Lots of good food and wine and what a bargain Greece is for the American tourist with the dollar almost even with the euro.