And now that summer is over, how do you break the melancholy of autumn?
Well, there is a way! There are some places in Greece where the weather is good until November (and I don't mean the islands of the southeastern Aegean). One of them is the picturesque Parga, the so-called "island of Epirus". The temperature remains ideal throughout the autumn and makes the area a popular weekend destination.
There are many options to stay in Parga and the surrounding area in both hotels and houses. Choose to stay close to the settlement and definitely somewhere with a sea view.
1or day
– Start your day with breakfast at Med where you will enjoy the wonderful view of Valtos beach and the castle of Parga, in a lush, idyllic environment.
– Wander the cobblestone alleys with colorful houses, which will take you to another era.
– Go up to the Venetian castle of Parga that dominates the hill to enjoy the view and the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea. The bastions, forts and battlements demonstrate how important this fortress was for the region!
– Spend the rest of your day in one of the beautiful beaches of the surrounding area such as Valtos, Lichnos and Kryoneri from where you can even swim to… the islet of Panagia. Particularly beautiful are the beaches of Ai-Giannakis and Ai-Sostis, a short distance from Parga.
– The area is suitable for many sea activities activities such as diving, water skiing, parasailing, canoeing, Stand Up Paddle and sailing.
– At a distance of approximately 10 kilometers is the village of Anthousa with its fortress of Ali Pasha, which he built to control the rebellious Parga. The view is impressive and we recommend you visit it at sunset to enjoy a unique sunset.
– At night the lights give Parga a special touch, which gives you the feeling that you are really on an island. There are many options for food. However, we singled out the Italian restaurant “Delights”. A small but…. miraculous Italian restaurant! Everything we tried was excellent, while the kindness of the staff and the service won us over from the first minute. We also tried equally good flavors in the attentive bistro “Eden"in a picturesque alley."
– End your evening in the atmospheric Veranda with excellent cocktails and a view of the harbor of Parga.
2or day
– A must-stop for breakfast at the excellent “Achilleas” bakery.
– If the weather permits, take the boat from the port for a full-day excursion to Paxos and Antipaxos. The waters of these islands are only found in the Caribbean! (See our related article here).
– Alternatively you can visit the sources of Acheron at a distance of approximately 30 kilometers. Heading towards the village of Glyki, you will follow the signs for the springs. From the parking lot after the village, a passable path begins through centuries-old trees, dense vegetation and next to the crystal clear waters of the river. There you can do a number of activities such as rafting, horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, etc. The landscape is enchanting and the magnificence of nature rewards you.
– Next stop is Necromancer of Acheron. In the village of Mesopotamos, 15 kilometers from Parga, is one of the most important Oracles of antiquity. It is believed that the faithful went to this point to meet the souls of the dead. The most impressive point of the necromancer is the underground Crypt which was constructed with arches in order to create psychoacoustic phenomena…
– About an hour away from Parga is another important archaeological site that you should visit, that of DodoniIn addition to the well-known ancient theater, parts of the oracle, the stadium, the acropolis, the walls, five temples, etc. are still preserved. The area is imposing and the route you will follow is full of inscriptions, which provide a lot of historical information and explain the findings found there.
Closing
So, if you are looking for a destination to take your last dives but also to admire the beauties of western Greece, you don't have to travel far to the picturesque Parga! Without the hordes of tourists and the hustle and bustle of summer, you will enjoy authentic experiences, recharge your batteries and return refreshed!
