Fly Drive Highlights of Central Greece

The Seralis is a very friendly small hotel in the west coast hamlet of Koropi, between the larger seaside villages of Kala Nera (3 kms) and Afissos (2 kms). With only 7 rooms here and lush green countryside all around, the hotel engenders an intimate atmosphere, and offers plenty of space in which to relax in the pretty gardens and attractive pool area.

Rooms are not large but attractively furnished in a fresh bright style and well equipped. All possess double bed, AC, TV, mini-bar/fridge, tea-making equipment, safety deposit box, hairdryer, shower room and covered balcony with country, sea, pool or mountain views.

Above the pool the hotel’s snack bar serves drinks and light meals through the day, and dinner in the evenings if pre-ordered. The owner, Maria Seralidou, is a very good cook – so half board may be an idea – and also provides a rich breakfast buffet that includes many home-made specialities.

In fact the way Maria looks after both her hotel and her guests, in the best tradition of small and friendly Greek hotels, ensures many guests return every year.

Lovely Paradisos beach is 600m away - a 7 minute walk - and has (in season) sun-beds and a beach cafe. However for brighter lights and a wide choice of tavernas and shops Afissos and Kala Nera can be quickly reached by car in around 5 minutes, and the famous mountain village of Milies is a 10-15 minute drive.

The Kastraki is a small, friendly, family run hotel, 3 star hotel, very well furnished and very comfortable akin to a city hotel.  From the hotel there are views towards the monasteries of Meteora. The family own a traditional restaurant, The Taverna Ziogas, which is about 100 metres for the hotel and which specialises in local dishes.  An excellent base from which to explore the area.  For those on a longer stay, there is rafting on the Venetiko River, hiking amongst the spectacular rock formations and horse riding. 

Accommodation

• 27 rooms including standard, superior, triple and family rooms and suites
• Rooms are with either twin beds of a king size bed

Amenities/Leisure

• Buffet breakfast
• Restaurant (100 metres)
• Cafeteria
• Lounge
• TV room
• Free WiFi
• Free parking

This cosy, stone-built, three star hotel’s own website states: “ Behind the Aroma Dryos, there is a philosophy of love and respect for the  nature that surrounds us and the guest who comes near us. The Aroma Dryos is a beautiful blend of quality materials, colours and scents in a setting that manages to be both modern and creative.”

Metsovo is a very pretty village and the hotel, from which there are notable mountain views, is located at its centre - a few minutes walk from the main square. Metsovo is the perfect base from which to discover the beauty of the Pindos Mountain region - and, in the winter, from which to ski. Metsovo is a 40 minute drive from Ioannina Airport. Ioannina Lake and the residence of Ali Pasha are less than 20 miles away.

A very special, welcoming and friendly hotel.

Accommodation

• There are 16, individually decorated, double bedded rooms of considerable character which make full use of local fabrics, consisting of standard doubles, superior mountain view rooms, deluxe mountain view rooms and a junior suite.
• All rooms have balconies and most have mountain views.
• Some rooms have a fireplace. Room sizes range from 16sqm to 35sqm for the junior suite.  Some rooms can take an extra bed for a child and some are suitable for wheelchair access.

Amenities/Features

• Breakfast Restaurant
• Lounge with fireplace
• Bar
• Snack bar
• ATM/Cash machine
• Terrace
• Games room
• Library
• Free parking
• Babysitting (additional charge)

Leisure/Activities

• Tour desk
• Fishing
• Skiiing (off site)
• Hiking (additional charge)
• Cycling (off site)
• Horse riding (additional charge)
• Ski school (additional charge)
• Walking tours (additional charge)
• Bike tours (additional charge)

Set in the heart of the Pindus National Park, with the high peaks of Astraka and Mount Tymfi as a towering backdrop, Megalo Papingo is the main village of the area and a favourite amongst walkers and hikers.

The Ariston Hotel is at the edge of the village and is built and designed in the appealing local style using local granite and wood. It is a welcoming small hotel of three buildings - one houses reception, a lounge and a breakfast room; the other two contain the rooms.

The rooms are cosy and pretty, with good quality bedding and colourful decor. Rooms are double or twin bedded with a shower room and WiFi is provided. Due to the strict architectural restrictions in this preserved village, rooms do not possess balconies - there is seating in the courtyard - but most have lovely village and/or mountain views from their windows. Being at an elevation of 900m AC is not required.

Papingo’s half-dozen restaurants, plus a number of cafes, are just a few minutes’ walk away.

Walking and hiking are the major attraction here. The northern end of the Vikos Gorge which is 32 kms long (you don’t have to walk it all!), and reportedly the world’s deepest relative to its width, starts nearby and there are trails up the mountain, one of which takes you to the evocatively named Dragon Lake. This is serious hiking territory but more casual walkers can enjoy the local trails, and non-walkers can simply relax in magnificent scenery and explore some of the ancient stone bridges and many other traditional villages of the region.

The smaller sister-village of Mikro Papingo is just a few kms further on, and between the two - a 20-minute walk from the hotel - you will find the Papingo Pools; a series of limestone rock pools perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day.

This excellent ‘small and friendly’ hotel is to the back of Sivota, a 15 minute walk (no hills) from the harbour and less than 10 minutes (600m) from Zavia beach. This upper part of the village has tavernas and shops of its own.

The hotel has 35 rooms on three floors. All have been renovated to a high standard and provide stylish modern accommodation, including twin or king size bed, modern  walk-in shower, and tasteful, stylish decor. Facilities include AC, WiFi, LCD TV, room safe, mini-fridge and hairdryer, and all rooms have a balcony or patio with garden or countryside views.

There is a lovely furnished pool area. The pool has steps in and measures 90 sq m (depth 1.0m-1.8m). The adjacent pool bar serves drinks and snacks and a rich buffet breakfast is offered here.

We find the Albatros difficult to fault. For the standard and service on offer - we think it is more like a 4 star standard - it is also very good value.

Air-conditioning: available at a local charge of €6 per day.