The Best of Greece Mainland Greece and Kefalonia!

Fall 2019 Itinerary September 18, 2019 -October 2, 2019

Greece has become a huge part of my life. I really enjoy sharing it with my groups. I have spent months walking its foot paths, exploring every

village I end up in and getting to know the people living there.. This has become my home! I have guided

now a dozen treks and paddling tours throughout Greece. I am going to show you what I believe are some of the best parts and some of the most beautiful scenery around. My roots run deep since my Grandparents and Mother were born and raised there and lived there, for a great portion of their lives. I feel to really appreciate and see Greece, the best way is not

by sitting in a large tour bus looking out the windows and getting off and on from time to time, but to walk the amazing streets

and footpaths and paddling its beautiful coastline. I have spent my time trekking from one village to the next, viewing the true Greece. This trip

will encompass two of my favorite places in Greece, the island of Kefalonia and the mountains of Mainland Greece.

September 16th Depart USA for Athens. Arrive Athens September 17th. September 17th Overnight Sofitel, Athens Airport (not included in

package, but I will get a special group rate) September 18th fly to Kefalonia from Athens(price is not included in

package but we will do a group block and pay for domestic flights and ferries once they are available. Plan on $300 USD total for all domestic

flights and ferry. September 18th -24th Arrive Kefalonia. Our stay on Kefalonia will be at

the Luxurious Trapezaki Bay Hotel . All breakfasts are included.

1st day

Itinerary: Argostoli Lighthouse Paddling Distance: 5 nautical miles

Duration: 5-6 hours

In this tour we follow a relaxed and exploring pace. In the first part we kayak along a scenic coast full of caves, natural arches and rock gardens.

We have a short break for swimming and fruit in Palaiostafida bay where according to Robert Bittlestone's new theory about Ulysses'

ancient Ithaca, the place where the suitors set up the ambush to Telemachus, Ulysses son. We continue kayaking and as soon as we pass the touristy beach of Makris Gialos the scenery changes radically. High

white limestone cliffs are now our terrain. Again, caves, turquoise waters and remote white sandy beaches make our paddling a really

impressive experience!! We have another break for swimming, snorkeling and lunch before continuing for the last stretch of our trip.

We land in Minies beach (near the airport) where we can finish our

paddling experience with a cold drink in the local beach bar...

2nd day

Itinerary: Agia Pelagia Paddling Distance: 7 nautical miles

Duration: 5-6 hours

We kayak part of the scenic south Kefalonia. This part of the island offers a really big variety of sceneries, from sandy beaches to rock

gardens, caves and sea channels.

Moreover, in addition to these coastal interests, the view to the inland gives an excellent picture of the island: green slopes and scattered

colourful villages under the impressive mass of mount Ainos which due to its endemic black fir tree is one of the ten national parks in Greece.

Among the highlights of this tour is the break in the beach with the

crystals as well as the beautiful islet of Dias where if the weather allows, we visit the chapel in the top.

We land in Trapezaki beach where we can finish our paddling

experience with a cold drink in the local beach bar...

3rd day

Itinerary: Lourdas Paddling Distance: 7 nautical miles

Duration: 6 hours

We start kayaking in the long sandy beach of Lourdas. This trip covers a quite remote stretch of Kefalonia's south coastline.

Sandstone cliffs, numerous non accessible sandy beaches and rock

gardens are along the way. We have a short break in a bay with natural clay where we can play making face masks or anything else we can

think of! After a visit to a complex of sea caves we arrive in the beautiful beach of Koroni. Fine sand and crystal clear waters make

Koroni an ideal stop for swimming and lunch.

We finish our trip in the little fishing village of Katelios.

4th day

Itinerary: Agia Kiriaki (round trip) Kayaking Distance: 7-8 nautical miles

Duration: 5-6 hours

We launch from the fishing port of Agia Kiriaki. We paddle along a coastline of pristine beauty. Being one of the most remote parts of

Kefalonia, we barely see any human trace in the area.

We reach Fteri bay, an area with white limestone cliffs, white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and green valleys. After a stop for swimming

and fruit we continue along one of the nicest stretches of the island. Huge white cliffs, blue waters and seagulls flying over our heads! We stop for swimming, snorkelling and lunch in Amidi beach, a pebble beach at the end of another green valley. We continue towards the

Kakata cape where we visit a beautiful sea cave before we start paddling back to Agia Kiriaki.

We finish our day with a cold drink in the local fish taverna...

*We will have four out of six days of paddling. The days we don’t paddle we will explore the island via the land. Paddling days are

subject to change with the weather*

The Zagahoria Village Trek thru the Vikos

Gorge and climbing to Drakolimni Lake! Sleepy Villages nestled beneath pine-clad towering peaks, valley floors are covered in

prolific wild flowers. Here in

Zagoria Villages you can hike through the deepest gorge in the world in Vikos-Aoos National Park!

We will start our journey from Vitsa Village where we will spend the first two nights trekking each day 6 hours plus. We will then end our stay in Vitsa with dinner at the famous “Mushroom Man’s, (Kanela &

Garifalo). We will then leave Vitsa and from this point on we will trek from Village to Village staying only

one night at each and seeing all of the Zagahoria. We will spend one night up at the Astraka Refuge way up

high above the villages . Here we will hike to Drakolimni Lake.

This is one of my most favorite places on the planet. Our last night stay will be in the

village of Kapesovo with a farewell dinner at Thucydides Restaurant. At the end of this day you will have realized we

have not left any stones unturned! This truly is my favorite hiking in Greece!

Included in the tour on Kefalonia transfers, all day excursions, breakfasts, and lunches while on the excursions. Dinner on your own.

On the Mainland Greece portion of the tour, all transfers, accommodations, and all meals but two are included on the tour.

October 2: Departure to Ioannina. Flights to the USA. We will fly from Ioannina to Athens, overnight stay will be at Sofitel

Athens Airport(hotel stay not included in the price). You will then need to book your flights back to the USA on October 3.

A view from the Astraka Refuge, where we will spend one night. Due to its remote location, you will be without your luggage for this one night stay. You will pack your day pack with

enough clothing for the night.

Pricing:

$3500 USD includes all of the above itinerary. Does not include domestic flights, ferry, or hotel stay before and after the tour at the

Sofitel Athens Airport. A deposit of $1000 is due upon booking confirmation. All deposits are non refundable. Balance is due 3-1-2019.

All payments need to be payable to Stefanie Woods

191 Wedeln Dr. Bozeman, Montana 59715 208-315-5536