Gorgeous scenery both from the nearby town and from the monasteries themselves. Best experienced walking on the paths between the churches in spring time when nature is in full bloom, and your trip will be undisturbed by a bustle of tourists.

The history of Meteora began with the pious hermets who dwelt in the crevaces of the limestone. Sometime in the 9th century CE, the hermits ascended to the pinnacles of the rock formations either by hammering pegs into the limestone as they climbed or by flying kites armed with heavy ropes to the top almost like a grappling hook and then climbing up. From there, a pully system would have been used to transport the building materials.

The architecture and the frescos are absolutely stunning. Photography is welcome but please disable the flash as it does harm the paint. Some of the monasteries are quite a hike to get to and the steps can be slippery if wet so sturdy shoes are recommended. Men must wear long pants and long sleeves are appreciated as a sign of respect, women will be given a long skirt or apron to wear over their clothes and again, long sleeves are appreciated.

Meteora means suspended in the air.
You go up steep stairs and when you look up you'll be bewildered by the way those monasteries were built up on such high rocks.
In the past Orthodox hermits used to live there and you can see the thick ropes that were used to take up whatever they needed.
Nowadays, you can visit those monasteries but you should be wearing descent clothes. The view from the top is spectacular; green plains, high mountains...
Prince Charles has spent some days in one of these monasteries.

ricordatevi: niente gambe nude nei Monasteri: donne e uomini (e se venite in pantaloni corti vi mettono il gonnellino..haha!) a parte questo potete fare la gara di chi ne visita di più: io sono arrivato a 2 e mezzo. Cercate di non buttarvi di sotto quando siete sul famoso terrazzo con l'ascensore di corda..

Ioannina is a wonderful city on a lake.... I like it a lot for quite, nature, castle, people! I have been there last year with my motorcycle......near at this place there are the meteore.....mistic place, in the mountain....one hour with bike.........It is a cool place... a lot....