Location

Aberratio Boutique Hotel, is an indisputable piece of elegance, scenic beauty, and Epirus tradition at the most popular winter destination of Ioannina, Zagorochoria, a cluster of 46 villages scattered over an area of 1000 square kilometers at the foots of Pindos. The word “Zagori” has Slavic roots, like many of the place names of the region, and means mountain. The region is divided into three geographical sections, West, East and Central Zagori. Most villages are registered as traditional settlements according to the Decree of Zagori.

Zagorohoria are located northeast of the city of Ioannina and between Mitsikeli and Tymfi (or Gamila), and set amidst the imposing Vikos Gorge. They’ve got many common reference points, such as their traditional Epirus architecture, which has stone and wood prevailing as construction materials, narrow cobbled streets and squares, offering cool shade from the dense foliage of trees. At the same time, each of them has its own unique style, cultural history and natural beauty to be proud of, making them different travel destinations, depending on their specific locations and the activities they offer to their visitors.

Aristi, where Aberratio Boutique Hotel is based in, is one of the prettiest villages of the cluster and is located about 48 km away from Ioannina, on the way to Papigo. The village is only a short walk from the impressive monastery of Panagia Spiliotissa, which was built on a bridge of Voidomatis River. Take a long stroll on the cobbled streets of the village, pass through the old fountain of Mesochori, while window shopping at all the folk art shops. In its central square, you can admire the church of the Assumption and enjoy your coffee in the quaint cafes. You can also follow the narrow paths bounded in pines, firs, oaks and beeches and admire all the rare birds flying around and animals that leave in the forest.

The landscape is unique in Europe as there are forests, steep ravines, arid peaks, crystal clear rivers and mountain lakes. These lakes that formed on the mountains of Epirus are famous sights of the region and are usually called “Drakolimnes”, meaning Dragon Lakes. Drakolimni Tymfi, Drakolimni Smolikas and lake Gkistova of Grammos are the most well known.

Drakolimni of Tymfi is the nearest lake to the village of Aristi. It is located in the alpine meadow of Tymfi at an altitude of 2,050 m., its shape is ellipsoid and its extent is about 8 acres. Its position is between the top of Ploskos (2,377 m.), Astraka peak (2,436 m.), The Monastery of Stomio and the peak of Gamila (2497 m.) which is the highest peak of Tymfi. It is a busy climbing destination and is known for its alpine Tritons that are hosted in its water. The lake is an 1 hour hike from the organized shelter of the saddle of Astraka and a 4 hour trekking from Mikro Papigo. Access is only possible on foot.

The Vikos Gorge is one of the most famous attractions of Zagorochoria. It is the deepest canyon in the world, according to the Guinness book, by a width:depth ratio definition. The Vikos Gorge reaches, in some areas, the depth of over 1,000 meters; it is a featured National Park and its flora and fauna are monitored by WWF.