Meteora

Ramonda serbica

Himantoglossum jankae

Salvia sclarea

Kalogeriko bridge

Metsovo

Roof in Papingo

Epirus: Plant and scenic beauties

Sunday 28 May – Tuesday 6 June 2023 (nine nights)

This expedition in north-west Greece will be based in family-run hotels, one in a village in the Zagarochoria, the other in a small town which is the centre of Greece’s Vlach community. The first six nights are at the Philoxenia in Monodendri, and last three at the Apollo in Metsovo.

Members will enjoy a mix of the Mediterranean and the Balkan, reflected in the range of plants we hope to encounter. These include the beautiful relative of African violet, Ramonda serbica, and the larger relative of our lizard orchid, Himantoglossum jankae. The range of woody trees and shrubs is striking and includes horse chestnut which is native to the area. These are set against a backdrop of outstanding scenery with flowing rivers, beautiful old stone bridges and villages, little chapels and the 14th century monastery of Agia Paraskevi. We will be walking in wild countryside and on rocky surfaces so good walking shoes or boots with non-slip soles are essential. We will also visit the Unesco World Heritage site of the Meteora where monasteries are built on immense natural pillars.

The £885 per person fee for members sharing a room includes: nine nights’ accommodation, all meals including house wine with dinners, ground transport, guiding, and transfers for agreed flights. Single supplement £181. Total for one person in a single room £1066. Total for two sharing a room £1770. Flights and personal expenses are not included.

If you wish to book for this trip and did not complete the registration form provided previously, please check availability be emailing Heather Martin. Once you have received a confirmed offer of a place, fill in the detailed booking form below and send a deposit of £450 per person.  The final balance will be due by 31 March.

See https://www.medpag.org/about/how-to-pay/ for ways to pay.

Botanical guide Graham Kendall

After studying at the Savill Gardens, Windsor, and the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, our guide Graham Kendall spent a year working at a pioneering garden near Athens as a young man and has since travelled throughout Greece. This has fed his knowledge and love of the native flora of the country. He has also been head gardener at three National Trust properties. Graham has led botanical tours in many areas of Greece including Epirus, Crete, Rhodes and MPG’s 2017 tour of Evia.

Booking Form

Please note that MPG events are open to members of MPG and its sister organisations only.

Please do not submit this form until you are able to provide full and final information for all of the required fields.