The alternative tourism office Salonica View organizes a 5-day excursion to the steps of Agios Paisios. Live the ultimate experience doing rafting, hiking and other beautiful activities while discovering places where Agios Paisios lived and grew.
A few words about our trip:
All participants will have the opportunity to visit the tomb of Agios Paisios in Souroti, the village where Agios Paisios lived, Konitsa. They will also have the opportunity to do rafting on the Voidomatis river and to hike the enchanting route to the Holy Monastery of Stomiou in Konitsa. Also, on the way back to Thessaloniki, they will visit the lake of Kastoria. Finally, the cosmopolitan Thessaloniki, known for its entertainment, could not be missing.
Excursion highlights:
Tomb of Agios Paisios
The tomb of Agios Paisios is located in the Monastery of Agios Ioannis the Theologian, located in Souroti. Souroti is located about 28 kilometres from Thessaloniki.
House of Agios Paisios
The world-famous Arsenios Eznepidis was born on July 25, 1924, in Farasa, Cappadocia. A few months after the exchange of populations came, his family, after Piraeus and Corfu, arrived in Konitsa. It was to be made there and became his home. This house in Konitsa is taken care of by the members of the Eznepidis family who have stayed there, as well as the neighbours. The house is a pole of attraction for those who visit the area and the visit is a pilgrimage to Elder Paisios, whose canonization was decided by the Ecumenical Patriarchate on January 13, 2015.
Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History
The Pavlos Vrellis Museum of Greek History, also known as the Museum of Wax Figures, is located in the area of Ioannina in Epirus. It was founded on the initiative of the sculptor Pavlos Vrellis in February 1983 and opened its doors in 1995 and is the most famous museum of its kind in Greece. The purpose of the artist was to represent historical events from various parts of Greece in full size inside the museum. In this way, he could present the heroes and the role they played, in the respective spaces.
Bridge of Konitsa
At the southwestern end of the city, right at the entrance of the ravine of Aoos, is the large single-arched bridge of Konitsa, which was built in 1870- 71. The bridge was built with donations from the inhabitants of the city and mainly from Gianniotis Ioannis Loulis. The current stone bridge has dimensions of 36 meters opening and 20 meters high, while under its arch can be seen the small bell that was meant to warn passers-by not to cross the bridge when there was a strong wind from inside the ravine when there was a risk of getting carried away and fall.
Lake Kastoria
The lake of Kastoria is the most valuable treasure of the city. It is its jewel, which is enjoyed by its visitor but also by Kastorianos, as a place of recreation and as a spur of romance and reminiscence. The natural basin of the lake, which is surrounded by mountains of excellent geomorphology, is a unique wetland.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki could not be missing from our trip. The walk in the White Tower and in the picturesque alleys of the city enchants every visitor.
Day 1 (Larnaca - Thessaloniki - Konitsa)
Departure from Larnaca at 07:00 by air to Thessaloniki. We will board the bus and make our first stop in the village of Souroti. There we will visit the Holy Monastery of Agios Ioannis the Theologian and the tomb of Agios Paisios for pilgrimage. Then we will continue our route and take the Egnatia Odos which has a direction to the city of Konitsa in the prefecture of Ioannina. We will stop for food in Metsovo before we reach our next stop which is the Museum of Wax Figures Vrelli. Then we will make a stop in Ioannina for coffee before continuing to our final destination Konitsa. Afterwards, we will leave for our hotel the Mountain hotel to settle in our rooms. By settling in the hotel we will have free time.
Day 2 (Rafting on the Voidomatis river)
We will wake up early to have our breakfast at the hotel. From the hotel, we will board the bus where we will reach the base (starting point of activity) to pick up our equipment. The moment we were all waiting for has arrived. Rafting descent on the Voidomatis river. The whole process will take about 3.5 hours. At the end of this unique experience, we will go to the tavern Voidomatis for food. After the meal, we will go for a pilgrimage to Molivoskepasti and from there we will go back to our hotel. From the afternoon to night there will be free time and a walk in the alleys of Konitsa.
A few words about Rafting in Voidomatis:
Duration: 3 - 3 1⁄2 hours
(the whole process is included. The duration we will be on the river is approximately ½ hour)
Degree of difficulty: Easy
This beautiful route crosses the core of the Vikos-Aoos National Park, in the green natural landscape with the turquoise waters and the rare vegetation. Highlights of the activity include 17th-century monasteries, diving in the crystal clear waters of the river for the more adventurous, and the passage of a small artificial waterfall just before the end of the route. The descent ends after the stone single-arched bridge of Klidonia.
Day 3 (Hiking in the Monastery of Stomiou and visit to the house of Agios Pais)
We will wake up early again and enjoy our rich breakfast at the hotel. From the hotel, we will board the bus to be transferred to the starting point of our hike. Our route will start from the big stone bridge of Konitsa to the Aoos river and we will follow the dirt road on the right bank, which is about 2 km and ends at a small concrete dam in the riverbed. From there there is a wide path that alternates with a narrow road, continues for about 40 minutes, parallel to the right bank of the river, and then ascends to the monastery of Stomi through a beautiful forest with gabbro and oysters (50 minutes). There we will have time to rest and then go back. In the afternoon there will be free time and those who want to visit the house of Agios Paisios can.
Hiking features:
Duration: 2 hours
Altitude difference: 600m.
Route difficulty: Low
** Relatively good physical condition is required
Day 4 (Lake Kastoria - Return to Thessaloniki)
We wake up again early in the morning to have the whole day ahead of us. We prepare all the luggage to be ready and once again enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Finishing with breakfast, we load all our things again on the bus and depart from the city of Konitsa for Thessaloniki. Before arriving in Thessaloniki we will make a stop in Kastoria and the imposing Lake that exists there. We will have time for rest and for a quick coffee. Then we will leave for Thessaloniki where we will spend the night in a hotel in the city centre. The evening is free for walks, drinks and food. Thessaloniki is famous for its nightlife.
Day 5 (Departure by air from Thessaloniki to Cyprus)
Breakfast at the hotel. A little time for a quick coffee and a walk in the city and departure by bus to the airport of Macedonia. Full of experiences we will return to Larnaca at 17:00 in the afternoon.
Participation cost (per person):
710 euros for accommodation in a triple
740 euros for accommodation in a double room
850 euros for single room accommodation
*** Prices may vary if the deadline (June 10) has expired. Contact us for more information.
CAUTION!!! The amount is paid in the following bank accounts. The amount can be paid in two instalments, 30% for reservation within 4 days after your reservation and the remaining 70% until June 10. Otherwise, the reservation is cancelled.
• BANK OF CYPRUS: CY95 0020 0195 0000 3570 3249 2261 or through the quick pay bank of Cyprus service at 99251074 (Payee: Andreas Tsangaris)
• HELLENIC BANK LTD: CY44 0050 0347 0003 4710 F293 4801 (Payee: Andreas Tsangaris)
The price includes:
1) Organization and escort from our office
2) Airline and airport taxes - 20 kg suitcase & personal shoulder bag
3) All transfers (from airport to hotel-hotel to airport but also all transfers during our excursion)
4) Accommodation 3 nights at the hotel Mountain hotel / https://www.konitsahotel.gr/ with breakfast and 1 stay at the hotel Park Hotel in the centre of Thessaloniki with breakfast
5) Rafting with professional river guides certified by the International Rafting Federation (IRF)
6) All the necessary rafting equipment
7) All activities listed in the program 8) Hiking escorts
The price does not include:
1. The food in the taverns. Each participant will pay separately.
2. Entrance to the Museum of Greek History Pavlos Vrellis
3. That is not listed in the program
Note 1. When you click to make a reservation, state the type of room (single, double, triple) you want.
Note 2. For the best operation of the event and for safety reasons, participants must comply with the instructions of the escorts.
Note 3. The first instalment must be paid 4 days after the registration to confirm the reservation. The second instalment must be paid by June 10. In case of cancellation of the reservation until June 09, the amount will be refunded. From June 10 to June 17, 30% is refunded. From June 18 onwards the amount is non-refundable.
Note 4. Photographic material is shared on our page and social media after each event. By participating in a Salonica View event, you also agree to share photos. Otherwise, please let us know.
