Welcome to beautiful Edessa the city of waters and the four seasons! After arrival in the city we will pick you up to take you for your hotel check-in. This is followed by food, getting to know the other fellow travelers and an update on the trip. We taste local culinary delicacies such as tsumpleki (layers of meat, potatoes and aubergine in clay), koukouloto (pork with peppers or plums, leeks and cheese), bouyurdi (feta, tomato and hot pepper in clay) accompanied by stories from the past trips complementing the insurmountable well-being with wines from the vineyards of the region.

We start in the morning from Edessa enjoying unique images crossing the vineyards of Amyntaio but also the well-kept agricultural crops of mountainous Pella at an altitude of 650 meters. After about 2 hours of driving, we arrive at the sources of Aspropotamos and cross the Mourgani bridge, a breath away from the imposing Meteora. Opposite the top of Koziakas and at a distance of about 25 km from Kalambaka, we cross the traditional Vlach village of Chrysomilia, which is drowned in a forest of firs, chestnuts and cedars. We enjoy the crystal clear water that runs in the springs of the village and fill our lungs with clean air. We climb into the arms of Koziakas and through a beautiful mountain route we end up in an unadulterated mountain destination, Elati. We continue towards the north-west end of the prefecture of Etoloakarnania at the border with the prefectures of Arta, Karditsa and Evrytania. There we meet the village Avlakithrough a route full of images of traditional mountain livestock farming, fascinating natural landscapes and admirable stone bridges. The next destination is the village of Brouvians with the beautiful view of the Acheloos valley and the famous bridge of Templas. We will go down to the river to admire the bridge but also to take a dip! in the cool waters of Acheloos. After passing the village of Embesos and entering the narrow ravine formed by the mountains of Kanala and Mitseli, the landscape between the two almost vertical slopes of the mountains takes your breath away! Next is the breathtaking view of Acheloos from above splitting the mountains in two and stretching out into the artificial Kremaston lake. In the continuation of the road we will enjoy images from traditional livestock farming to the village of Perdikaki which played a very important role during the years of the revolution. In particular, Peridkaki was called Sakaretsi and many chieftains of Valtos came from here. Crossing the Tartana bridge over the hanging lake we arrive at our final destination which is the village of Kalesmeno. Arrival late afternoon of the same day. Accommodation at the hotel and food.

Morning awakening and departure after breakfast for Megalo Chorio. The village square with the plane tree offers a stunning view of the valley of the Karpenisiotis river and the peaks of Helidona mountain, while the Historical and Folklore Museum is also very important with rich exhibits of folk art, church relics and tools traditional professions. Then, following a route of amazing natural beauty, we reach Proussos, where we will visit the Holy Monastery of Panagia Prousiotissa. The Proussou Monastery is located 31 km. south of Karpenissi and 2 km. from the village of the same name and is a spiritual and pilgrimage center of the entire region, while there is a cave carved inside that houses the first and oldest temple of the monastery. Inside it is kept the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, which is called Prousiotissa and is celebrated with all ecclesiastical and Byzantine splendor on August 22-23. We continue to the Holy Monastery of Agios Kosmas of Etolos shortly before Thermo. Cosmas the Aetolos, the Isapostolos, the "Saint of the Slaves", began his lonely, arduous and agonizing, marathon journey to raise the morale of the Greeks in one of the most tragic times for the nation. The father-Cosmas for the common people, the ardent teacher of the church and the nation, the missionary and ethnic patriot, the founder of many schools in the places where he toured, laid the foundations for the national uprising of 1821. On a hill, which is in a prominent position on the route from Thermo to the Great Tree, the temple dedicated to the memory of Patro-Cosmas dominates, while a monastery has been built next to it, where part of his holy relic is kept, which was transferred on June 2, 2007 from the place where it is buried, Kolikotasi, Albania, where he was martyred in 1779. Time for a pilgrimage. Our next stop is Lake Trichonida, which is the largest lake in Greece, with a total surface of 95.8 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 58 meters. There we will have the opportunity, in the beautiful village of Dogri to enjoy lunch in a selected tavern overlooking the lake. Next stop is the magical Nafpaktos. We continue our route passing through mountainous villages of the prefecture of Etoloakarnania Dafni, Eupalino, Terpsithea - Limnitsa and the impressive Vardousia Mountains in the area of mountainous Nafpaktia. In the past it was called Megali Lobotina, to acquire its current name in 1930. We end up Ano Chora where we will have free time to browse. Among fir and chestnut trees , on the slope of a mountain spoiled by Mother Nature, on the narrow road that crosses the old market of the village, we will pass by small shops and stone buildings, but also the imposing church of Agia Paraskevi from 1918 where nearby the "mascot" of the village, the "carnival" as they say the old bus that made the Nafpaktos route- is on display. We end up in Pavliani, a heavenly village full of paintings. On the bins, on the houses, on the PPC pillars, on the clocks everywhere a surprise painting!

Morning awakening and the park Ypatis Baths is waiting for us! A beautiful place that is worth visiting passing by the monastery of Agathon. Because it is far from the image of monasteries, you have to let your imagination take you! The words about the routes are unnecessary and the pictures cannot fully convey the magic of the landscapes. with its neck it creates a plateau where the prefectures meet and separate, at the three borders: Fthiotida, Evrytania and Karditsa. It took its name from the fountain that Kostas Zacharakis built there (before it was called Koniarovrysi). Fournasis a place of rich natural beauty. It presents a special relief with mountain peaks and deep ravines and priceless forest wealth. The fir forest is one of the largest in our country. It gathers an important cultural and historical heritage, which carries through the centuries. This is confirmed by the religious and historical monuments scattered throughout the wider area. We cross the Zacharakis Tarzan pass between Redina and Fournas. The name Tarzan was taken from the nickname of George Bourgos, who lived there for several decades and was a historical figure of the area. The homonymous special routes of the Acropolis Rally also started from this point. We continue crossing the lake Plastira and end up at Hellenopyrgos< or otherwise "the village of investors" which is located on the North-West side of Agrafa. It impresses as it is perched on the mountainside at the foot of Agrafa, picturesque, stately, with strong signs of tradition lost in the deep green. In Hellinopyrgos Karditsa, however, they do not want to create jobs with European or state funds. They will rely on their own strengths: a social fund to which members of the Diaspora will contribute. Those who left will lend - interest-free - to those who want to return.

We wake up at Xenona Archontiko a real gem for Hellinopyrgos Excellent hospitality, impeccable service, unsurpassed quality in both breakfast and main meals. The way back, however, awaits us with thousands of images that surround our thoughts sometimes peacefully and sometimes tormentingly. But the main question is ONE. We also managed to realize this great childhood dream of ours, to feel at least a little TARZAN. You say we succeeded?

Transfer to Sofia airport for your home back flight. Good bye…. hopefully till the next time.