Our suggested routes
Etoloakarnania- Excursion to Messolonghi
Program (4 days)
Day 1
Arrival at the hotel (city of Agrinio), arrangement and departure for the Art Gallery of Christos Kapralos, a great greek sculptor, where there is a permanent exhibition of its work. Then we will visit the Archaeological Museum of Agrinio. Departure for the ancient theatre of Stratos (10’ from Agrinio), ancient capital of Acarnania, and the Acheloos river dam in Stratos.
Return to Agrinio for lunch in a traditional tavern and then free time to relax or stroll around the city’s sidewalks (optional).
Day 2
After breakfast we will depart for the picturesque little island of Aetoliko, which is located in the lagoon of Messolonghi.
In Aetoliko we will visit the “Vasso Katraki’s Ingraving Museum”. Then we will visit a company in the area where we will see the process of production of roe and where we will taste bottarga and smoked octopus.
Then, passing by the Acheloos river, we will reach the Oiniades ancient theater, where we will admire the ancient “neorion” (shipbuilding hall), next to the theater, one of the most important monuments of the area.
Afterwards we will visit the forest of Fraxos (ash tree), one of the most important greek forest ecosystems, which is of global scientific interest because of its ecological and biological value. The Fraxos forest is located to the west of the Acheloos’s Delta, is rare in its species and was declared as a Monument of Nature in 1985.
We will return to Aetoliko for lunch at a local fish tavern. After lunch we will tour the streets of the island (optional), visit the Port-Museum of Aetoliko and visit the workshop of a well-known greek engraver.
Return to Agrinio and rest at the hotel.
Evening stroll to the city’s bars (optional).
Day 3
After breakfast we will leave for Messolonghi. Shortly before Messolonghi lies the theater of ancient Pleurona, where the strong fortification is imposing, occupying two neighboring hills. Pleurona was one of the largest ancient cities of Western Aetolia. We will tour the site and enjoy the magnificent view of Messolonghi lagoon from the ancient theater.
We will leave Pleurona and in five minutes we reach Messolonghi, which has received the respect and passionate love of Philellins during the Greek Revolution of 1821. Getting to know selected parts of the city (e.g. Garden of Heroes).
We will then visit the Museum of History and Art, where a rich collection of oil paintings, lithographs, watercolors, engravings and rich photographic material is on display. The gallery’s collection also includes works of great artistic and historical value for the city of Messolonghi, such as “The Exodus of Messolonghi” and “The Reception of L. Byron at Messolonghi”, copies of the original works of Theororos Vryzakis . In addition, we will admire a copy of Delacroix’s work “Greece Over the Ruins of Messolonghi,” inspired by the resistance of Greeks in the third siege of Messolonghi.
Afterwards we will enjoy the natural environment of the lagoon and walk to the pedestrian – bike path of Messolonghi (about 5km), a wonderful route between the lagoons of Klisova and Messolonghi, until the islet of Tourlida. At Tourlida we will relax (coffee, traditional sweets). At noon we will meet the local fishermen of the area, who will take us by boat to various points of interest in the lagoon and will guide us in their traditional homes (houses on wooden piles) to enjoy lunch with fresh fish and taste tsipouro.
In the afternoon we stroll through the city (optional) and visit the “Diexodos” Center for Literature and Art. Returning to Agrinio we will see the Alykes (salt pan) of Messolonghi, the largest salt production site in Greece, we will enjoy birdwatching and we will be informed about the Messolonghi’s Natural National Park.
Arrival at the hotel (Agrinio).
Day 4
After breakfast we will check out and then visit a local organic oil’s production and bottling company and a beekeeping company. Finally we will visit the largest lake in Greece, Lake Trichonida, where we will enjoy coffee by the lake.
Departure to the airport.
The program includes:
Transportation by small van or bus to and from the hotel, all transportation.
(Three nights) Double room in a 4* hotel (Agrinio) with breakfast.
1 meal/day
Tickets for all the archaeological sites and museums.
For small groups a luxury hotel can be offered, in a higher price.
*The program of days 1 and 4 will be adjusted to the time of arrival and departure of the group and may be slightly altered according to weather conditions.
Excursion to Lake Trichonida-Thermo
Etoloakarnania is characterized by the life-giving element of water, vital for any form of life. Its presence is so strong in our area that no one can ignore it.
Day 1
Arrival at the hotel (city of Agrinio), arrangement, resting. Lunch.
After lunch we will visit a local organic oil’s production and bottling company and a beekeeping company.
Return to the city where we will visit its famous tobacco warehouses and its cafes and bars (optional).
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for the Lake Trichonida, the largest lake in Greece.
First stop in a traditional wood-fired oven, in the village of Varia, where we will see how the bread is baked and we will taste delicious hot bread.
We continue and our next stop is at a local organic winery, near the lake. We will walk in the vineyard and see how the wine is made, the wine storage areas and we will taste local delicacies (pies, feta cheese, olives) and its wine.
Afterwards we will visit a small waterfall in Myrtia and an abandoned watermill.
We will walk along the lake, which is the only lake to hosting “atherina”, a fish that lives only in the seas. We will taste it after our ride, at a fish tavern by the lake.
After lunch we will depart for Dugri. In the lakeside we will taste greek coffee and eat traditional greek sweets.
We will also visit the Centre for Environmental Education (KEPETPRI) in the area of Abaria and will see the place where the fishing boats depart for the “atherina” fishing.
Return to hotel in Agrinio.
Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel we depart for the lush and enchanting plateau of Thermos, north of the Lake Trichonida (30 kilometers from Agrinio).
Ancient Thermo was the administrative and religious center of the Aetolian League. We will visit the archaeological site and the New Archaeological Museum of Thermo.
We depart for a traditional watermill in the area, where we will follow the process of milling wheat or corn with the power of water.
After the watermill, we board the bus and visit the village of Petrochori, where the view of Lake Trichonida is unique. There is an appropriate place from where there is a panoramic view of the whole Lake and its lakesides, but also of Lake Lysimachia, the Akarnanian Mountains, the Arakynthos and Panaitolikon mountains.
Time for lunch. We will taste great food in a hotel’s restaurant, with great view of Lake Trichonida.
After lunch, pilgrimage to Myrtia Monastery, one of the seven most important byzantine monuments of Greece. Its church, with well-preserved frescoes, dates from the early 12th century.
Return to the hotel.
Day 4
After breakfast we will visit the Art Gallery of Christos Kapralos, a great greek sculptor, where there is a permanent exhibition of its work. Next to it there is the Archaeological Museum of Agrinio, which exhibits findings covering a wide range of times from the Neolithic period (7th millennium BC) to the late Roman years (4th century BC), originating from the entire prefecture Etoloakarnania, except Thermos and Thyrrion areas. Finally we will visit the ancient theatre of Stratos (10’ from Agrinio), ancient capital of Acarnania.
Departure to the airport.
The program includes:
Transportation by small van or bus to and from the hotel, all transportation.
Double room (three nights) in a 4* hotel (Agrinio) with breakfast.
1 meal/day.
Tickets for all the archaeological sites and museums.
For small groups a luxury hotel can be offered, in a higher price.
*The program of days 1 and 4 will be adjusted to the time of arrival and departure of the group and may be slightly altered according to weather conditions.
Expressions of interest