Epirus occupies the north west corner of Greece and it is the most mountainous region. The skyline of the Pindus range forms the natural eastern boundary of the area, separating it but also linking it with other sections of the country.
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Some of the largest and most beautiful forests in Greece are to be found in Epirus. The Black Pine (Pinus Negra) is predominant as well as deciduous trees such as beech and oak, while the higher peaks are clad in the famous Rombola tree, a form of pine peculiar to the Balkan Peninsula.
The variety of wild flowers, which grow runs into thousands. Some are quite impressive in appearance, such as the Lillium Candidum or Wild Virgin Lilly, the Albanian Lilly the "Poet's Narcissus", Ramonda Serbica and many others.
Well-preserved traditional settlements in Epirus, in their unique local style, serve as live museums of the recent phases in the area's history, covering the years of the Ottoman rule and more recent times.
When the Turks overran Epirus during the 15th century, certain mountainous districts managed to ensure for themselves a degree of self-rule. This enabled both their economy and culture to flourish.
The outstanding feature of these traditional settlements is the local gray stone out of which they are built.
During the Ottoman years the arts and crafts flourished in all forms. Many of the villages such as Metsovo and the town of Ioannina grew into noteworthy artistic centers with brisk activity in the establishments of goldsmiths and silversmiths, in gold embroidery, woven fabrics, woodcarving, etc.
The town of Ioannina, the capital of the area, is the largest town in Epirus, built at an altitude of 500 meters above the sea level and at a distance of 436 km from Athens.
Metsovo is perched high up at an altitude of 1116 meters, while it 56 km from Ioannina and 89 km from Trikala. It is an attractive mountain village with several interesting things to show.
Konitsa town stands at 602 meters altitude and 63 km from Ioannina. It is built amphitheatrically along the slopes of Trapezitsa Mountain and has excellent climate.
On the north part of Ioannina we meet the areas of East Zagori, Central Zagori and the most important West Zagori, where Mikro and Megalo Papingo are located only 61 km from Ioannina. Typical traditional settlements are found here set among surroundings of beauty, at the mouth of Vikos gorge, which was formed by the river Aoos, and along the banks of Voidomatis River.
Only 21 km south west of Ioannina lays Dodoni one of the most important archaeological sites in Epirus. The ancient oracle is still there, founded originally by the Pelasgians as well as ruins of an early Christian basilica built over the foundations of the ancient temple of the Dodonian Zeus, a citadel and an ancient open air theatre, one of the largest in Greece.
Zitsa is an attractive village 26 km from Ioannina, surrounded by vineyards producing the select Zitsa wine.
The second largest town of the area is Arta, at a distance of 360 km from Athens, known for its famous stone bridge, the largest and oldest in Greece and for numerous Byzantine monuments in and around the area.
Preveza lies further south west at a distance of 50 km from Arta while Athens is 410 km away. There are several pleasant beaches such as Margarona.
Parga is a small picturesque town, 64 km from Preveza and 90 km from Arta, which is built amphitheatrically round a bay and is flanked by small islands and coves.
Igoumenitsa is the ferryboat terminal in Epirus for the link with Corfu and Italy, located 94 km from Ioannina.
