An odyssey on the Greek mainland
One of the joys of being in Corfu - whether you live here or are on holiday - is that it is so easy to take a trip to the mainland. An island-hop of one-and-half-hours gets you to the port of Igoumenitsa where you drive down for coffee in Syvota ... ...before heading up the Egnatia Odos , a motorway that goes as far as the Turkish border, and roads leading off it, to places like the beautiful and unspoilt Zagori ... ...or the ancient site of Dodoni, a magical place I have mentioned before ... ...or Ioannina , the largest city of Epirus... ...or Metsovo , the home of snow, wine and cheese. Well, after an extreme bout of painter and decorator's elbow and oleander pruning fatigue, we decided to take a trip along the highway and beyond, going through Epirus, Macedonia and Thessaly. We've just come back after an incredible five-day journey, visiting the beautiful village of Nymfaio ... ...and then on to Edessa ...