In mid-Could, members of Journey Bloggers Greece have been invited on an unforgettable weekend within the mountain village of Ano Chora, positioned within the coronary heart of Nafpaktia, Western Greece. This fantastically orchestrated expertise, titled “Tour via the Paths of the Wild Orchid,” was organized by Aetoliki Growth Firm in collaboration with the non-profit AMKE “Parte ta Vouna.” It was greater than only a weekend getaway; it was a soulful immersion into native tales, silence, and the gorgeous resilience of nature.
The way to Get from Athens to Ano Chora
Our journey started on a Friday afternoon, and we travelled for about three hours earlier than we reached the fundamental city of Nafpaktos.
Hello, I am Elena! Thanks for studying my weblog. With over 20 years of expertise within the hospitality and journey business, I maintain a Swiss Diploma in Lodge Administration and a Grasp’s Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management. As a Greece skilled, I’ve spent years exploring the nation in depth, uncovering its hidden gems and genuine experiences. I additionally labored for 5 years as a Vacation spot Growth Marketing consultant for an American boutique journey company, the place I performed a key function in creating Greece, Spain, and Portugal as journey locations. My deep business data, hands-on expertise, and fervour for immersive journey make sure that each advice I share is trusted, insightful, and curated with experience. I hope that you simply discover my content material helpful, in case you will have any questions please be happy to succeed in out. I will be comfortable that can assist you.
We drove west, crossing the engineering marvel of the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, which connects the Peloponnese to mainland Greece. From there, we adopted a winding, scenic route for about an hour via the mountains, main us to the serene village of Ano Chora.
The Wild Orchids of Ano Chora
Ano Chora is house to a unprecedented variety of untamed orchids, making it a paradise for botanists, photographers, and nature lovers. In accordance with Professor Nikolaos Moustakas, from the Agricultural College of Athens, an skilled in Soil Science with over 20 years of non-public analysis into the orchids of his native village, there are 12 genera and 26 species of orchids recorded inside only a 3-kilometer radius round Ano Chora. His ongoing research, initially pursued as a private ardour challenge alongside his educational profession, have helped map and doc the uncommon biodiversity of this mountainous area. In Greece, there are about 193 sorts of orchids.
Professor Moustakas joined us on a stroll to assist us spot these uncommon beauties. He later gave a radical presentation in regards to the completely different species and their distinctive traits.
These orchids bloom throughout a number of months, usually starting in March and persevering with via August, relying on the species and seasonal situations.
A number of the species that may be present in Ano Chora:
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- Ophrys helenae – With its cherry-red lip, it’s some of the placing orchids, recognized for thriving in daylight.
- Ophrys reinholdii – Incorporates a daring, velvety texture and a sample that resembles eyes, mimicking a bumblebee.
- Ophrys apifera – Often known as the bee orchid, it self-pollinates and prefers the shaded forest ground.
- Orchis mascula – Typically discovered above 500 meters in altitude, particularly in fir woods, with deep violet blooms.
- Orchis quadripunctata – Recognizable by the 4 dots on its labellum.
- Orchis spitzelii – Prefers shady areas beneath fir timber, delicate and stylish.
- Ophrys provincialis – A sun-loving species with a gentle yellow tone, delicate and sleek.
- Himantoglossum caprinum – Recognized for its lengthy, tongue-like labellum, blooming barely later within the season.
- Neotinea maculata – Dense- flowered orchid, tiny creamy white flowers
- Ophrys zeusii – it was first described from Epirus (Greece) by Hirth in 2002
These orchids, protected beneath Greek legislation, are to not be picked or uprooted. Some, like these within the Ophrys genus, mimic feminine bugs and launch pheromones to draw male pollinators—an excellent evolutionary adaptation.
Discovering Ano Chora
The city of Ano Chora is a postcard of mountain life—stone homes nestled amongst timber, quiet streets, just a few conventional cafes, and a welcoming village sq.. What to expertise right here:
Agia Paraskevi Church – Inbuilt 1918, it’s one of many bigger church buildings within the space, standing gracefully above the cobbled streets.
The Karnavalos Bus—This historic bus as soon as related Ano and Kato Chora and was made well-known within the 1979 British battle movie Escape to Athena.
The Folklore Museum – Housed within the village’s former faculty constructing, this museum is a treasury of native heritage. It’s stated that Saint Cosmas of Aetolia as soon as taught right here throughout his travels within the 18th century. A revered missionary and educator, Saint Cosmas established over 250 faculties, church buildings, and charitable establishments within the area of Aetolia inside simply six years. He was additionally believed to own the present of prophecy.
At present, the museum walks guests via the area’s previous, from charcoal manufacturing and self-sufficient mountain life to the heartfelt traditions of bridal dowries and home craftsmanship.
After we visited the museum, we have been handled to a heat cup of sahlep or salepi, a standard drink that has lengthy been related to mountain winters and heartfelt gatherings. Traditionally created from the powdered tubers of untamed orchids, sahlep was as soon as believed to be a strong tonic and even an aphrodisiac. The primary ingredient, recognized for its starchy richness, was prized for its well being advantages.
At present, because of the protected standing of untamed orchids in Greece, genuine sahlep is sourced from cultivated orchids, primarily from Turkey. Regardless of the change, the drink stays a cherished custom in Greek mountain villages—creamy, spiced with cinnamon, and carrying with it a mild sense of nostalgia. We additionally tried tiganites, fritters made with salepi and rolled in beneficiant quantities of sugar.
The Enchanted Black Forest
Named for its towering fir timber that stretch skyward, the Enchanted Black Forest feels timeless. The firs, stripped of facet branches as they race towards the solar, kind a cathedral-like cover.
Whereas it appears historical, the forest is just a few a long time outdated—nature reclaiming house as soon as used for charcoal manufacturing. One outstanding tree, stated to have seven peaks, is wrapped in legend: locals imagine a forest witch named Slava as soon as lived there.
A number of mountain climbing trails wind via the forest, every providing its personal distinctive perspective on the panorama. A favourite amongst guests is the Path of the Deer, which leads immediately via the guts of the Black Forest. It’s usually paired with the Path of the Orchids, a comparatively straightforward route good for orchid-spotting through the blooming season from March to August. Collectively, they kind a scenic one-hour loop supreme for a relaxed but rewarding stroll. All trails are well-marked with color-coded signage and could be mixed or prolonged relying on one’s tempo and curiosity. The dense cover above, gentle forest ground underfoot, and occasional bursts of wildflower coloration make this some of the enchanting hikes within the area.
Kravara Park: Trails Via Untamed Magnificence
The area, recognized traditionally as Kravara, is a wonderland for hikers and bikers. Kravara Park boasts over 90 km of marked trails, all color-coded and maintained by a crew of native volunteers led by George Kaltsis and Dimitris of Ta Petrina. The Kravara Bike Park alone contains 30 km of trails, with various problem ranges, ramps, and downhill paths. It even incorporates a bike shuttle for these aiming to succeed in high-altitude trails with ease.
Every year, the Nafpaktia Mountain Biking Races convey the paths to life in late August, making a festive environment for athletes and spectators alike.
The place to Keep in Ano Chora
Ano Chora is small in dimension, but it options a number of wonderful lodging choices, good for a memorable weekend getaway.
Crystal Mountain Lodge:
Based within the early Nineties, Crystal Mountain Lodge is a serene alpine retreat and an emblem of village revitalization. The village was in decline when Giorgos Papaioannidis returned to Ano Chora from the USA within the late Eighties. His imaginative and prescient—establishing a guesthouse that might spark native regeneration—paved the way in which for a brand new chapter in mountain hospitality.
What started as a 10-room guesthouse quickly developed right into a full-scale lodge, catalyzing infrastructure growth within the space. Electrical energy, roads, and water programs adopted, reinvigorating the group. At present, the lodge affords 50 rooms furnished in heat, earthy tones, and a full vary of facilities together with an outside pool, health club, basketball court docket, kids’s playground, pump monitor, and a conventional chapel nestled within the woods.
The lodge options a sublime “Koryfes” restaurant, the place conventional mountain recipes are refined with a contemporary contact. Breakfast contains native seasonal fruit, home made marmalades, fluffy truffles, and freshly cooked omelets. Throughout our go to, we loved a memorable dinner that includes scrumptious pies, refreshing salads, and pappardelle with mushrooms and beef—all fantastically ready utilizing contemporary elements sourced from close by farms and gardens.
The lodge additionally curates immersive experiences comparable to mountain climbing excursions, waterfall swims, folklore museum excursions, mushroom foraging, and autumn chestnut harvests. It’s a hub for Kravara Park, developed in partnership with Ta Petrina Guesthouse, extending entry to over 90 km of trails.
Beneath the management of Andreas Papaioannidis, the founder’s grandson, Crystal Mountain continues to evolve whereas honoring its roots. Its identify—”Crystal”—was impressed by Giorgos’ eating places in America and stays a tribute to his enduring dream.
Ta Petrina Guesthouse:
Tucked into the guts of Ano Chora, Ta Petrina Guesthouse is greater than a spot to remain—it’s a mirrored image of its host’s imaginative and prescient for genuine mountain residing. Run by Dimitris Papadimitriou, a former radiation physicist who returned to his ancestral village looking for a quieter, extra significant life, the guesthouse is infused along with his heat, curiosity, and fervour for hospitality.
Set in opposition to the backdrop of lush fir forests, the property incorporates a vary of cozy, stone-built lodging, together with double rooms, one-room residences, and two-room maisonettes, supreme for {couples}, households, and teams. Friends get pleasure from entry to two non-public parking areas, a café-bar named “Neraidopigi” (that means “Fairy Spring”), a recreation house, a kids’s playground, an outside hearth, and even outside actions like archery, bike leases, and native path steerage.
Dimitris is deeply concerned in each element—whether or not lighting a hearth in your room, getting ready a home made breakfast, or providing a glass of tsipouro over tales of village life. His considerate presence transforms a keep right into a heartfelt expertise.
As a co-creator of the Kravara Park path community, Ta Petrina additionally serves as a hub for hikers and mountain bikers, offering path maps, shuttle coordination, and equipment storage. It’s the form of place the place trendy comforts mix seamlessly with old-world appeal, inviting you to unplug and reconnect with the essence of mountain Greece.
A Style of the Mountains: Eating in Ano Chora
Meals in Ano Chora is a celebration of the land—hearty, sincere, and bursting with seasonal taste. For lunch, we gathered at Oreades, which is run by Panagiotis and Sotiria.
One of many standout dishes we loved throughout our keep was the macaroni pie—a comforting, home-baked specialty layered with thick pasta and creamy béchamel and baked to golden perfection.
Equally memorable have been the grilled lamb chops, charred excellent and seasoned merely with mountain oregano and coarse salt. The slow-cooked lamb, melting off the bone, carried the deep, earthy flavors of the area. However one of the best half was the corporate and the heart-warming laughs that we shared.
Remaining Ideas
This journey jogged my memory that Greece’s true magic isn’t all the time discovered on a seashore. Typically, it’s within the quiet of a forest path, the heat of a village story, or the fragile petals of an orchid in bloom.
Watch the entire weekend expertise on YouTube
Honest because of Aetoliki Growth Firm and AMKE “Parte ta Vouna” for this unforgettable invitation and expertise. All opinions expressed are all the time my very own.