09:00

Arrival and walk in Kalpaki

Set aside about 45 minutes in the center of Kalpaki to settle in and have breakfast at a kafeneio or a local pastry shop. It’s a practical base for the itinerary and a good place to ask for up-to-date information on opening times for the day. Indicative breakfast: €4–8 per person.

To get around the villages of Pogoni, a car is much more practical than public transport.

10:00

War Museum of Kalpaki

Allow about an hour to visit the museum, dedicated to the Greco-Italian War of 1940 and the fighting in the region. Exhibits and opening hours may change: treat the visit as subject to actual opening. Indicative admission: free or just a few euros.

Check the opening hours before you set off and bring small cash with you.

11:30

Transfer to Vella

Drive to the Monastery of Vella, a short distance from Kalpaki, allowing about 15–20 minutes of driving. The road crosses an agricultural and hilly landscape; park only in permitted spaces and dress respectfully for the religious visit.

Access to the monastic areas may be limited: do not assume they are open every day.

12:00

Monastery of Vella

Set aside 45–60 minutes for the complex, discreetly taking in the religious architecture and the peaceful setting around it. If the church is accessible, enter only in respect of any services and on-site instructions. Admission is generally free; a small donation is optional.

Ask permission before photographing people or interiors.

13:30

Lunch in Kalpaki

Head back to Kalpaki for a leisurely lunch at a taverna, choosing Epirus dishes such as savory pies, legumes, or grilled meat. Allow about 60–90 minutes and check that the kitchen is open, as some places keep seasonal hours. Indicative lunch: €12–22 per person.

Outside the main centers, it is useful to ask in advance whether the restaurant serves lunch.

15:30

Rural roads and scenic stops in the surrounding area

Spend the afternoon on a slow drive along the local roads around Kalpaki, stopping only at safe spots and without blocking field entrances. The countryside is especially pleasant in soft light, but services are not guaranteed along every stretch. This break is free; allow about 1–2 hours, depending on your stops.

Download the offline map: phone coverage may be patchy.

09:00

Departure for Delvinaki

Leave Kalpaki after breakfast and reach Delvinaki in about 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic and stops. The route crosses a mountainous, rural landscape; drive carefully on the bends and allow time for parking. Indicative breakfast: €4–8 per person.

Refuel in the larger towns: gas stations are less frequent in the villages.

10:00

Walk through the center of Delvinaki

Set aside about 90 minutes in the center to observe the village layout, traditional homes, and religious buildings visible from the outside. Visits inside are not always possible, so treat the walk as a chance to experience the village and its everyday life. No cost expected.

Keep a discreet tone: this is a lived-in village, not an open-air museum.

11:45

Stop in Vissani

Reach Vissani by car in about 15–20 minutes and take a short 45–60 minute walk through the village streets. Notice the facade details and local building materials, without entering private property. The stop is free.

Wear shoes with sturdy soles: the village roads can be uneven.

13:00

Lunch in the Delvinaki area

Head back toward Delvinaki or choose an open taverna along the way, checking by phone if possible. A stop of about 75–90 minutes lets you try home-style cooking and local products without cutting the afternoon short. Indicative lunch: €12–22 per person.

On weekdays, some venues may have reduced hours.

15:00

Dolo, village walk

Continue to Dolo, allowing about 20–30 minutes of driving on local roads. Spend an hour exploring on foot, lingering in the narrow lanes and stone houses; the village is small and is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. No admission fee.

Park at the village entrance if space inside is tight.

16:30

Pogoniani and return

Reach Pogoniani in about 15–20 minutes and stroll for 45–60 minutes through the center, taking in the traditional architecture and the village’s relationship with the surrounding landscape. Then head back to Kalpaki, allowing about 40–50 minutes of driving. Village stops are free; coffee, if you stop for one, €2–4.

Before setting off again, check the fuel level and road conditions.

08:30

Departure from Kalpaki

Have breakfast and leave early: this day includes more driving than the previous ones, and religious sites do not always keep regular hours. Bring water and a snack, as services may be sparse from one village to the next. Indicative breakfast: €4–8 per person.

Check the weather and road conditions, especially in the cold season.

09:15

Stop in Parakalamos

Reach Parakalamos in about 20–30 minutes and enjoy a 45–60 minute walk through the center. It’s a worthwhile stop to observe a lively local village and pick up essentials, without expecting attractions with set opening hours. The walk is free.

Take advantage of open shops to buy water or snacks for the drive.

10:45

Kato Meropi

Continue by car to Kato Meropi, allowing for variable travel times on the side roads, and visit the village on foot for about an hour. The appeal of the stop lies in its peaceful pace and the details of the settlement; respect the quiet and private property. No cost expected.

Do not rely solely on the times shown by the navigator: local roads can be slow.

12:15

Transfer to Molivdoskepasti

Spend late morning transferring to Molivdoskepasti, planning for a scenic drive and possible short photo stops only in safe areas. Actual time depends on the route chosen and road conditions. No access costs expected; fuel is included in the travel estimate.

Set the navigator to the exact destination and check the route before leaving an inhabited area.

13:30

Lunch and break in the village

Stop for lunch in Molivdoskepasti or in a town along the way, first checking that a place is open. Allow about 75–90 minutes to eat and rest before the monastery visit. Indicative lunch: €12–22 per person.

If you cannot find an open restaurant, keep a snack you bought earlier with you.

15:15

Molivdoskepasti Monastery

Spend 45–60 minutes at the monastery, an important religious site in the area, visiting only accessible areas and respecting any services. Opening times may depend on the presence of the community or seasonal hours, so the stop should be considered flexible. Admission is generally free; optional donation.

Wear appropriate clothing and ask before taking photos inside.

16:30

Return and scenic stop

Head back toward Kalpaki or your next destination, allowing for a return trip of about an hour or more depending on the route and stops. Stop only at lay-bys or safe areas to enjoy the mountain landscape. The stop is free; consider fuel as the main cost of the day.

Avoid driving on back roads after dark if you don’t know the area well.