Further Information

FLIGHT DETAILS

Greece is 2 hours ahead of the UK. Check-in times are 2 hours (minimum) prior to the confirmed departure time stated on your flight tickets Our flights operate on a weekly basis. On certain dates we are able to offer two, three or four week holidays. It is recommended to book such durations early, as they are limited.

WALKING IN ZAGORIA
(General Information)
Groups: The Nationality is usually British, of mixed sexes with group sizes between 6 and 12. Groups are made up of clients booking alone, accompanied with a partner or a party of friends. Age range can vary, usually no younger than 18 and if over 65 years, we ask for a medical certificate as proof of fitness to participate.
Physical demands and fitness: You should be reasonably fit before embarking on these trips. If not, then start a small training programme. Make time to walk, instead of using the car, or perhaps take part in aerobics or go swimming. This doesn't stop you feeling weary after a day’s walking but it helps build up stamina and strength. The distances each day differ but are never far. However, the clean air, higher altitudes and variable rugged terrain can easily wear out a very unfit office worker.
Health requirements: If you take regular medication, make sure you bring up to three weeks supply even though you may only be away one week. We need to know if you are allergic to anything from food to insects. Please inform the guide and come prepared with any antidote. If you are over 65 years old, have had any serious operations or suffer a recurring problem such as knees, asthma etc., we suggest you take advice from a Doctor and get a signed certificate. Inform us if you have special dietary needs, such as vegetarian, diabetes etc. We cannot guarantee to provide a variable cuisine but we will do our best to accommodate special needs. Come prepared with snacks as even corner shops are far and few between.
Meals and drinks: Breakfast is usually fresh bread, locally made butter, jam and sometimes cake. Lunch will be a picnic most days containing tomatoes, cucumber, cheese, eggs, bread and fruit, also some tinned goodies for variety. The odd day may be a light lunch in a local taverna. Dinner is always freshly prepared and will vary: salads, local spinach/cheese pies, local cheeses, pastas, rice, casseroles of pork or beef, oven cooked chicken or lamb or some trout from the Voidomatis River. Drinks, other than water, coffee and tea at breakfast, are to be paid for. The local wines either bottled or carafes are excellent. Beers and soft drinks are also readily available. Please note that minimarkets for fruit, snacks etc are virtually nonexistent.
Transport: Clients are transferred to/from the airport, accommodations or destinations by minibus, sometimes by car or taxi. Preveza airport to Ioannina is approximately 2 hours, Ioannina to Vitsa/Monodendri/Ano Pedina is 40 minutes. Ioannina to Megalo Papingo is 1 hour.
Currency: The local currency is the Euro. There are no banks or exchange facilities in Zagori so bring cash in Euros with you. Credit cards, Debit cards and travellers cheques will also be useless in Zagori but for our walking group, you will only need money for postcards, drinks, ice creams etc. If you should go to the City of Ioannina, you will be able to use credit cards in some shops and get cash from one of many ATM’s. The Banks open from 0800 – 1400 hours Monday to Friday. Money is only needed in Ioannina for drinks and presents, museum entrance or perhaps for a boat ride to the island on the lake. (Subject to the itinerary).
Luggage: Please try to keep the weight and size of your main luggage to the minimum. One or two soft roly-poly type bags or a rucksack is better than a suitcase as it is easier when we transfer your luggage. If staying in Lefkada for a second week then divide your luggage up and give us the luggage you don’t need for the walking week to store. Maximum weight in the hold is 20 Kilos per person. Hand luggage restrictions of 5 Kilos plus size restrictions of 45cm by 35cm by 20cm are also enforced 1 piece per person. A backpack is needed to carry your daily provisions (including pack lunch). Don’t forget to label your entire luggage.
Contents of backpack: Spare change of clothing, waterproofs, water bottle, sweets etc. to suck, hat, sunglasses, suncream, mini first aid kit of plasters, headache tablets, tissues etc, camera and film, binoculars, plus a picnic lunch is divided up between the groups.
Temperature: It can change radically from extreme cases of -3ºC at night in Mikro Papingo during early season to +30ºC mid afternoon mid season, so come prepared for every eventuality. June to September is usually no lower than +15ºC at night and up to +30ºC during the day. The odd quick rainstorm will happen throughout the year, September will bring a few more cloudy days with rain late afternoon. Like everywhere in the world, the climate is changing and unpredictable.
Clothing and equipment: A suggested items list will be sent when your booking is confirmed.
Guides: We use local guides in Zagori who are fully trained and are competent to make judgements with the Group’s safety in mind. They are able to administer first aid and carry safety equipment as well as a first aid kit. All of the guides are experienced in trekking, have a love for the area and enjoy participating with the Group. Most of the guides are skilled in at least one subject so will enjoy giving details on the terrain, wildlife, flowers, history, folklore or personal previous experiences. The group must adhere to the decision of their guide. He/she may have to change the route, e.g. postpone a leg of the route perhaps due to worsening weather conditions or other reasons that may put the Group or other fellow walkers in jeopardy.
Grade of walks: The walking holidays in Zagori are Grade A to B. These routes are planned for easy walking on reasonable terrain for clients with little or no experience of walking or trekking but are of reasonable fitness and can cope with some hill climbing. Duration of walks per day is between 3 - 6 hours. Over a week, there could be one or two more difficult days or walking in higher altitudes. Good health and fitness is essential.
Other considerations: We try to give an accurate assessment of the walking holidays before participants’ book. Any kind of walking makes some physical demands so even an easy walk can be tiring. Preparation before a trip can mean a pleasant, trouble free holiday. Aches, pains and teamwork is all part of a Group orientated holiday. It sounds like all pain and no gain but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The views are stunning. The feeling of freedom with a sudden awareness of your senses can be overwhelming. Achieving personal challenges, eating pure, fresh food, breathing in clean air and physical exertion all play an important part in the ‘Feel good factor’.
Change of itinerary: We will endeavour to follow the itinerary handed to you at the airport. However, occasionally, due to factors beyond our control, an itinerary will have to be changed. You will be kept informed of any changes. Once the trip is under way, it may be necessary to exercise our right to change a route or accommodation through reasons such as inclement weather, comfort or safety of our clients or should we consider participants are physically unable to complete the walk. No compensation will be offered under these circumstances, although every effort will be made to ensure you have a pleasurable holiday.
Accommodation: Our Walking Groups will be based in the Red House, Ano Pedina. This pension only has 8 rooms. (Please read the property description in the brochure on page 74.) Therefore, clients are encouraged to share two persons per room. Other nearby accommodation will be used if rooms become fully booked.
Meals: Full Board Basis - Breakfast will be served at the pension each morning. Lunch will be a picnic carried between the Group or a light lunch in a local taverna. Supper will be either in the pension or in a taverna. Vegetarians are well catered for with prior notice. Drinks are not included in the package price.
Size of Group: Numbers are limited to a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 people per group. Should you wish to put together your own group and perhaps have a tailor made itinerary, we will be happy to discuss this option with you.
Equipment: A suggested items list and further information will be forwarded to you on receipt of full payment prior to your departure from the UK.
Price Includes:

1. Return flights from UK airport to Preveza airport, Greece.
2. In-flight meals, Greek and UK taxes.
3. Return transfers from Preveza airport to the accommodation.
4. Transportation during the programme.
5. Luggage transfers.
6. Accommodation as stated above.
7. Meals on a full board basis. Meals excluded are: Lunch on transfer days (Sunday).
8. An experienced Guide.

N.B. Our walking or flydrive holidays can be combined as a two-centre holiday, eg: one week walking, second week in one of our accommodations in Lefkada. Please ask for a quote.