In early May we set off on a road trip around central Greece…what an adventure.
We drove aboard the overnight Minoan car ferry from Heraklion, Crete to Pireaus, the main port near Athens. Bright and early next morning found us zooming up the excellent motorway on a four hour trip to odd peaks named Meteora. Our aim was to see the monasteries that ‘balance’ between heaven and earth. For the Greek Orthodox faith, this Holy area is second only to Mount Athos.
After checking in to the Kastraki Hotel for two nights ‘Wow’ was a common term.
I’d pre booked a sunset tour and it proved to be an excellent way to see many of the monasteries perched atop the peaks. Hard to believe the top of the rocky towers were once the bottom of a lake. Close up you can see they’re an aggregate of mud and rocks.
Day Two – Meteora Hike
After a breakfast we set off on a guided hike, organised by Visit Meteora and we’re still congratulating ourselves for doing so…it was excellent. Prior to our visit email communication with this company was easy and on the tours the guides were informative, and enthusiastic. Most importantly for our hike, the guides knew hidden trails to take us weaving through woods allowing us to ascend the peaks without a strenuous vertical climb. In three different places we saw a tortoise ambling along the path – I had a pet tortoise for 55 years so I loved seeing them in the wild.
Like the previous evening, our schedule included one visit to a monastery, and for me this was enough, I preferred the natural overawing beauty.
The final stage was a walk down through woods to our waiting mini bus. Instead of heading back to Kastraki we stopped off in the nearby village of Kalambaka for lunch and then took a €5 taxi back to our hotel.
After a siesta I woke to see my husband on the balcony peering through his binoculars. He called out ‘There’s people up there, climbing Spindle Rock.’
He was right!!
If you are planning a trip to Meteora and think I’ll be able to help you can use the contact form below.
After Meteora we set off for the Pindus Mountain… more of that in my next post.
Kritsa, at the heart of it all 
Thanks for these beautiful pics Yvonne. Your stories are always delightful to read.
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Thank you, Annette. Getting feedback makes my day. Hope you enjoy the next instalments too. x
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Blimey that trip to Meteora sounds brilliant, we’re not walkers but don’t mind an amble, is the trek for skilled walkers???
Love resding about your trips out, so jealous 😍😍
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Hi Wayne, it was certainly amazing. To be honest the walk (for people used to walking) wasn’t difficult. However, I wouldn’t like to do it in peak season. The guides made sure it wasn’t a slog and our group included an 8 year old and a 70 year old (my husband) all enjoying the day together.
Thanks for commenting, it spurs me on. x
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Yes,Yvonne…the first time I was there I was amazed, impressed, etc..etc..It’s a total different world with still some monks who live there to serve their God and serve the tourists to inform them about the history of this unbelievable surrounding with it’s monasteries on top of the naked rocks..
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Hi Wim, lovely to hear from you. I’m not a very spiritual person but I defy anyone not to be moved. It truly is a wonder in many different ways. X
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Meterora is an amazing place to visit. I was impressed by the incredible formations in stone and the various monasteries that once were there, which only 2 are still in use.
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Great to hear you enjoyed a visit too. The amount of visitors must overwhelm the monks and nuns. x
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I always find this place magical! Enjoyed reading your post, will reblog🌺
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Thank you, I’d love that. X
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Reblogged this on Letters from Athens and commented:
I know I’ve written about the Meteora before (https://athensletters.com/2015/10/31/road-trip-to-meteora/) but I find this place magical, and enjoyed reading a post on the blog Kritsa, at the heart of it all, written by Yvonne, who shares her time between the U.K. and Crete. Take a look, it might inspire you to visit!
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It has been my dream for many years,. And hopefully it is on my travel list. surely I will go there one day soon. Thank for sharing Kritsa.
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Hi and lovely to meet you. I’ve just signed up to your blog and look forward to your posts..especially after you make it to Meteora. X
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Very nice post and beautiful photos.
Meteora is a unique place and there is no similar in the rest of the world. Also, very nice you have been for a hike in that area.
Greece has a beautiful mainland with stunning mountains, rivers, gorges etc that one can enjoy by hiking/trekking.
In the following website you will find a hiking guide for Greece with many information and tips: https://olympusmountaineering.wordpress.com/2016/09/20/the-ultimate-guide-of-hiking-and-mountaineering-in-greece
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Hi and thanks for the link. I’ve had a quick look and can see it is a blog I’ll enjoy. I’ll have a more thorough browse… probably on a cold wet afternoon in the UK. x
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