GREECE HIDDEN GEMS | The ULTIMATE Zagori Road Trip - Aspraggeli, Monodendri, Iliochori, Vikos Gorge 

First, I must thank you for showing to the world the real beauty of my country. Most people think that Greece is only sun, islands, beaches, sunsets in the Cyclades and parties in Mykonos. They don't know these places like Meteora and Metsovo. Have you noticed that the calmness you feel in these mountains makes you speak low, almost whispering? As if you don't want your voice to disturb this feeling of peace.

It is insane how Greece is so small yet so freaken diverse. One of the most mountainous counties in Europe, yet worldwide famous for it's beaches! I always said that the spectacular greek mainland is underrated and this video proves it.

All these guys 10:29 are Greek shepherd dogs. It's an ancient Greek breed. Wikipedia: _"It is believed livestock guardian dogs are _*_one of the oldest distinct dog types, with evidence the type has remained largely unchanged since ancient times._*_ It is claimed the Greek Shepherd has been found in Greece since ancient times, Plato wrote of dogs of similar form and function being known in the region of Epirus as early as 800 BC."_

Loving Greece. Loving the history. Very romantic. How people treat dogs is how kind they are 🙏🖐

This is not spinach! We call it horta... Wild greens from the mountains, boiled and served with olive oil and lemon!

Thank you guys for showing the hidden beauty of my country....!!!Great job!!!

Few years back I did a similar trip during summer. People were telling me I'm dumb for going north instead of hitting up more traditional spots like Mykonos and Nafplio. Flew into Athens and took a bus to Ioannina. Eventually I got a car and drove to Meteora and back to Ioannina. The drive alone was one of my favorite parts of being in Greece. On the way back to Ioannina we also made a stop to Metsovo for some food. I'm jealous you walked around. The people I was with did not want to go discovering. The little I saw was great though. When I went to Asprangeli it was for their panigiri, and it was AWESOME. So many people were eating, drinking, and dancing all night long in the village square next to that huge tree. Taking a quick swim in the rivers of Zagoria was fantastic and super cold! I was told those are the cleanest rivers not only of Greece, but of Europe. We went to Vikos Gorge through Monodentri. Again I wanted to walk around the village, but once more the people I was with were like "no". Agia Paraskevi at the Gorge was super cool with amazing views. As you said, the villages seem abandoned. Other places we went to that wee near by were Dodona. Kalpaki which is the location of the 1st Allied victory during WWII, and Vela. Your video was so cool to see the landscape in winter. You look so happy together! Keep traveling and keep smiling!

Now, imagine this scenery during May.. everything is green and there's lots of water everywhere! You can also try to visit during April when there's still some snow in higher altitudes but a lot of green near the foot of the mountain.. Don't forget to visit Ioannina, one of the nicest cities in Greece!

Epirus. North Greece, hands down the most beautiful region of Greece. In the mountains and in the coast to!!!

Greece is not only the islands and is beautiful also in winterr

How did you guys find out about these places and decide to do this trip? Tourists don't usually go there so definitely a welcome surprise 💞

Horta isn't spinach it's a blanket term for various other types of greens (oftentimes wild picked) that are boiled to soften and served with lemon and olive oil.

Even dogs are friendly in Greece....

Another hidden gem of Greece is Kastoria :) I'll leave you all to look up the wonders of that place.

Congratulations excellent video.You are a very nice couple. Exploring mountain range of Pindos , mythical origin of Dorians ,a Greek tribe.During the early bronze age moved to Thessalia plain snd later in Laconia and establish city of Sparta.

Lovely couple. thanks for showing the world that Greece is not only Mykonos & Santorini

I hope you've enjoyed Northern Greece guys ❤️🇬🇷

That cheesy crispy bread thing you had is called “zymaropita” or “alevropita” by the locals, my nana used to make it every time I visited her cause I loved it so much. It’s so easy to make and so delicious! Glad you guys liked the region, gotta come back in the summer for a greener scenery and a cold dive in “Voidomatis” river! 😊🇬🇷

Water in that area is one of the cleanest and most awarded in the world

I will always cheer for you in Korea I'm looking forward to a great video. Have a nice day

Absolutely loved this video , keep them coming your content is awesome 🤩

Wow you guys, I'm literally lost for words.. another spectacular video, Tommy my brother your footage is absolutely incredible, the dogs were super cute, the shots from the gorge were GORGE-eous.. Sammy I agree PB&J is such great food for hiking 🚶‍♀️ 🚶‍♂️ 🥾 . Loved the sunset shot too and my gosh the snow storm looked crazy.. thanks once again my friends for this epic adventure.

Brilliant video and so unusual to see Greece in winter. I think it looks more inviting than summer. Love your relaxed approach and your jolly good filming. Thank you.

It is nice to see people exploring the nontourist places of my country.You guys should visit the poloponese peninsula as well.so much history and gorgeous landscape.

Not spinach. Greens, often wild, that’s why they taste slightly bitter and tarty.

Wonderful video! And Im glad you did a bit of the Zachori region. However. as wonderful as the video is, It's unfortunate that you didn't manage to do the best parts. For example. The *Valia calda area* ( you where almost going to it! as Iliochori was almost there) is where the mountains are very prominent and epic and is situated between *Mount Tymfi and Mount Smolikas.* There is a road that goes from Metsovo to Aoos lake and then it goes to Konitsa. This part is stun-ning. *Also there you find the Aoos Gorge close to Konitsa. Super beautiful! If you're there a next time don't miss it* Also. the Vikos gorge has indeed many vantage points. *However. What you saw was only literally the tip of the iceberg as you missed the whole main part of the Vikos gorge.* What you saw was a side branch of the gorge. The main part of the gorge is much more grand, big and deep. That is aside other wonderful things in the area like the *Voidomatis river,* *Papingo* which sits on one side of the Vikos gorge, where you have the *pools* close to papingo (geological formations) and the *stone forest* there at vikos gorge as well. And then on top of the mountains the *dragonlake of Tymfi.* But that isn't accesible until may-June. I went in march and it can be even dangerous if you're not experienced as a mountain climber. Then also the *valley of Konitsa* area is also wonderful with perfect views from the mountains. So, quite many and some of the greatest things you still missed. (Which you can see as a positive thing) So I don't wan't to say anything negative. You are 2 lovely people with great enthusiasm which makes for great enjoyment. But I can only tell you, if you go there again, please don't forget to visit the other sides of this mountain area. If you look in 3D on google earth you will see what I meant with all the most prominent mountain views and of Vikos that was missed.

It makes me INCREDIBLY happy to see people enjoy these parts of my coountry! They are so often overlooked but they have so much beauty to offer. Thank you for helping put us on the internet map!

Good thing you didn't meet any bears

I wish you had great time in our gem Greeece 🇬🇷

The best country for vacation 🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷 Gyros i miss already that, the people there, the language the blue and white 💕❤️

You make the best video of showing the beautiful Greece🇬🇷!! Its a country to visit every time of year!!!

I want to go there!!

Why didn't you come to Konitsa too?Its beautiful and has so nice places to see and visit and it's near Zagori. Next time I hope!😔👍Greetings from Konitsa, Greece 🇬🇷 Χαίρομαι που επιλέξατε τα μερη μας για τουρισμό!Ωραίο βίντεο σας ευχαριστούμε!

"cause i'm the pretty one" 😂😂😂 Tough call, cause you're both gorgeous. Have fun in Greece and i hope you'll make a video one day about what you're using to edit the videos, and how you're choosing your music

Hi Sammy and Tommy..., "WOW" Where do I start ? Gorgeous shoot... Excuse me..., "Gorgeous Video ! !" Moved some cattle today and brought in three of my cowhands ( actual cowboys )... to watch your video in Greece... You now have... three more fans or viewers... ( WE ) loved your video, including the "Peanut & Jelly" sandwich... Love the ( Drone ) video, and we all "agreed"... this video is one of your ( BEST ) and great music, too... * ( WE ) watched two of your videos and loved each one... Excellent video and very informative, and thank you for sharing the video or videos... Your friend always, Mike in Montana P.S.: I must add that you two are "Bright, intelligent, and attractive." :)

Yes that s the real greece the real mainland greece that most tourists never get to see.... they only go to the cyclades islands which are hot south and arid

Greece is something else.!

Americans in mainland Greece you usually go to the islands.

Awesome guys. I'm Greek and I have never been there. Thank you for the video. Enjoy your vacation.

10:12 that's a greek shepard guys!

Judging by how things are going in rural areas and big cities like Athens, with the heavy influx of immigrants, economy, unaffordable houses prices and rents etc, it wouldnt be a exaggeration to claim that the region of Epirus, unknown for the most people and even for Geeks, will reborn the following years, with insert migration. Most whose their families were born there and then moved to big cities, have at least one empty house.

Such a beautiful journey and foods looks delicious. Enjoy your adventure and have a blessed day.

Thanks for showing the other side of Greece the unknown one to most. Greece is the most diverse country in relation to the size and at the same time one of the most rich in history and culture. The islands as well are very unique and each one is different than the other. Basically the whole country as 80% of the land is covered by mountains which 20% of Europe’s ultra peak mountains lie solely within Greece. Do not forget as well that Greece has the 11th biggest coastline worldwide while the other 10 are gigantic countries . Lakes rivers natural reserves and springs, caves ancient monuments literally everywhere , amazing cuisine renowned to be the healthiest in the world and some of the most hospitable people you will ever find in a tourist destination.

Lovely video. Actually Metsovo & Iliochori are Vlach villages. They speak Greek & Vlach language (my home language). Been there dozens of times. Thanks for memories. You guys took the best trip!

Great! Not even me, as a Greek, were known these places and that beauty.

It's great to see people discover more of Greece. By the way, Metsovo is not part of that municipality and also not one of the Zagorochoria. Also, as others have already commented, what you had in Metsovo, was not spinach, but simply seasonal greens. It's a dish called horta, which translates to grass or greens and it's always a boiled salad with the edible wild greens depending on the season and the landscape. For example, in the spring on coastal areas you'd have Vlita, an amaranth type of wild plant and in the summer you'd have glystrida.

Thank you for visiting Zagori and my village Monodendri! great work guys👍🏻

As Greek, I keep telling people the same.. That Greece is not only islands in summer but mountains and beautiful scenery during fall - winter .. That was a great video!

The sweet isn't from rice, it's semolina

ο Ευτύχης μπλετσας του εξωτερικου

Beautiful video. Enjoy Greece!!

Hello Sammy and Tommy thank you for endother video (ευχαριστούμε πολύ)💙🇬🇷💐❤️🇺🇸💐😊

Just discovered you posted my guesthouse, thanks for the nice video and happy trails. Lucas

Beautiful video!!!

Nice vid guys! Just came back from the area, I participated in a 80km trail race (Zagori Race) and I got to see most of the places there :)

Even though I've ridden around these mountains a lot, I still fully enjoyed your story. I loved your ''tourist'' view of the narration which, for me, is a refreshing change from the usual blogger/teacher style. Also, you guys have the positive attitude necessary for that kind of thing, which I sometimes lack😁.Finally, the mountains of Greece are so underrated, I'm happy you discovered them, there's so much more out there equally or more inviting.

I just found your channel . That's a beautiful video of my country 😊 thank you guys .

Βest video presentation of unexplored non touristy parts of my country. My most sincere Gongratulations !!!! Of course Greece has the most clear waters not only at sea but it’s rivers also are virgin. The same water that you filled your canisters is being bottled by the biggest water industries in Greece like company Zagori. You should have flied a drone to the Gorge. I am proposing that you visit also Peloponnese peninsula especially Corinth and Mycenae Argos Nafplio City definitely Ancient Olympia with the 2 museums and the ancient stadium and make a special stop to the Village of Vasta Arcadia to see the wonderous chapel of St Theodora where your jaws will drop and wonder how is this possible to happen . Also places to visit is Mystras with its ancient ruins Diros with its marvellous caves and definitely Monemvasia city fortress. Ohh man you will be amazed there I can guarantee it to you. Also the small town of Gytheio is a must and my favourite is the small bay of Gerolimenas. In central Greece you must visit Mesollongi where Lord Byron died. And of course Aitoliko city.

Great vibes from the both of you! "Pindos", the mountains range there, is heaven on earth. Doesn't matter how many times you visit, it's always jaw dropping scenery! Yes the gorge is highlight but there are endless, literally endless paths to follow! Next time I suggest the following villages: Fragades, Vovousa and Samarina. Loved the video!

Very fun video! Thanks guys!

Snow!!

I love travels and every time i see you guys i want to book

Beautiful video. I only wonder if you have took the opportunity to meet Mr. Kenderis who lives in the region.

Χαίρομαι που σας άρεσε το φαράγγι του βίκου Και η ζυμαρωπιτα που φάγατε

Beautiful video!! Next time you can try north east (kavala, drama, xanthi and thasos Island) you can find caves rivers waterfalls water dam even you want virgin forest with unique view and unique type of trees ride horse next to river end inside the river and many others!

you should come in spring to these places.....

Thanks for exploring these hidden gems! ✌️😊

You two are a breathe of fresh air, nice to see people who think outside the box and explore the true beauty of Greece. Greece has over 60 kinds of cheeses hope you had the chance to taste some other ones!

I felt your happiness... As a Greek I should tell you that beside sun and beaches we have a very very rich countryside. I recommend to everybody mt Voras, mt Vitsi, mt Olympus, mt Falacro, mt Rodopi. All the above are in northern Greece. You will not regret it...

30 minutes from my moms home village. Always go for the day every trip. Krania is nestled in the beautiful tree scape mountains of the pindos mountains area.

By far the most beautiful country in the world!!!!!

Me and my wife we always used to have some days up on the mountains as gift-vacations for the two of us. This year we won't make it so thank you for the imaginary trip. In this context the most weird weather change was when we were at Nympaio village and Prespes area during April some years ago. All days were sunny and pleasant and there were just some handfuls of snow under rocks etc. On our departure day we woke up and there was more than 20 cm of snow everywhere. Once again thank you for the trip. For me Epirus and West Macedonia hands down the most beautiful areas in Greece.

Really nice video and tour , the wild beauty of the mountains always give me the chills , thanks for showing some of our Country hidden gems, keep going !

Awesome. Great job guys

Love❤ from 🇬🇷

I am from Greece

i did this hike from Iliochori to the waterfalls. It was summer so I swam in there. It was extremely cold. The climb back up is a nightmare.

Glad to see you enjoying my favourite part of the world, by the way the Gorge you went to was actually a smaller gorge that eventually links up to the main vikos gorge which is much deeper!

Lots of love from Greece guys, awesome adventure!

Nice sharing friend ♥️

Thank you for creating content for mountainous Greece. I am sure you had to do research on non touristic and hard to find information to go around everywhere , but I hope it was worth it!

another great video - thanks

This places are not hidden gems...they are very famous

💙💜

Very well made video. Are you two professional videographers? And yes, for a country that small, Greece feels surprisingly 'big'. Vikos is indeed impressive. Though originally an islander (Samos) and living in Brussels now, I personally prefer the Peloponnesos. You'll find everything there, mountains, archeology, endless beaches etc.

Autumn and winter vacations in the mountains of Greece are still the most cosy and wholesome vibe you can have, especially if you travel with friends/family. I just wish people visited Greece in that period and see all the natural beaty of you mountains and little villages.

Thank you for the video guys! One thing though, at 4.13 you start your restaurant meal. Well, the green leaves is not spinach. It is 'χορτα' οr greens. I don't know what kind of greens these are(there are so many kinds of them and they grow everyone in the countryside during spring) but I do know they are delicious and super healthy.

"Horta" is not boiled spinach. It's various other "weird" low greens, like chicory, nettle, and other weeds that most reasonable people wouldn't eat. But the crazy greeks boil them in a certain way and make them edible. Just like grape leaves and seaweed... crazy greeks

Thank you for this wonderful view into your Greece travels…showing a beautiful view of Greece that often is ignored in comparison to the beaches and white roof coast. This was filmed in a way that inspires travel. Thanks

I have to admit that the car driver is the best I have seen in these mountains. Great video, nice tour!

Nice video, great job guys. The only thing is that you'll now know better to hire a 4x4 when you visit places like that.

Authentic Greece... Welcome!

Awesome! Great video

Not all dogs would be so friendly don't think you know all American people in videos you don't know as much as you think American people think you know all not really very little you world experts so be trying to understand you much to learn from Marcus in australia no like needed or like.

Sad part , as I can see this place had a forest fire and some of surroundings are burned

Μπράβο σας. Σας ευχαριστούμε.

I would recommend you hicking shoes. It is bitter for your health😊

Bravoooo..I ♥

What a beautiful and well-matched couple, thank you for the beautiful pictures you have given us, it's like we are traveling with you. I wish you all the best and many many trips. Greetings from Drama - Greece

What month was this? It looks like winter time but could also be in the fall?