We may not be able to travel physically right now but our minds are not liable to suffer the same restrictions. I find my myself wandering the globe as I recollect my past adventures. At the very least, I hope that my stories give you a bit of hope and help you look forward to the day that we can travel again. As I recall my earlier travels, one destination in particular, stands out above the rest. Join me today as we explore the monasteries of Meteora in the Thessaly region of Greece.

Kalabaka

Located at the foothills of Meteora, the town of Kalabaka grants you direct access to the monasteries. The small town served as a useful basecamp as I ventured out each day to explore Meteora. It has everything a traveler could ask for, from delicious Greek food to guided tours, run by the locals. I had a very interesting experience, staying at an old house from the 1950s. Old buildings and antiques bring me a special kind of joy. It is no wonder that I find the past extremely interesting.

The town itself was quiet and peaceful, giving me time to reflect and listen to my thoughts. The monasteries of Meteora seemed to exude an aura of tranquility over the valley below. Fret not, there are many other things to do, aside from quiet meditation. If you ever get the chance to visit, be sure to try the food from the local tavernas. They are typically family run and they serve the most authentic, most delicious Greek food I have ever had. The scrumptious feasts I had each night gave me the energy to hike during the day.

Hiking in Meteora

Exploring Meteora is as easy as picking up a local map and putting on a good pair of shoes. There are many clearly demarcated trails which will lead you directly to the monasteries, at the heart of the rock formation. The trails were very well-maintained and mostly empty as I had chosen to come during the off season, in December. I remember being absolutely ecstatic when I first caught a glimpse of the Meteora rock formation. It became so clear to me, why I had decided to visit Meteora.

I was searching for something different, a unique travel destination which was not overrun by tourists. Meteora turned out to be the perfect place. The rocks protruded out of the ground and seemed to reach for the sky. They were fascinating and there was definitely something mystical about them. I imagined them trying to touch the clouds, each time I turned my back on them. The magical rocks were as clear as day as the brilliant sun illuminated the entire valley.

I stood there for many moments, taking in the awesome view laid out in front of me. It felt like I had the whole place to myself on that beautiful day. I distinctly remember feeling happy, complete to be more specific. The joy which hiking brought me, combined with the unexpected views made me feel like anything was possible. I felt like I was on top of the world. Getting lost in nature and discovering the unexpected is my absolute favourite thing to do.

Meteora Guided Tours

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I love hiking on my own but when exploring unfamiliar terrain, a guided tour can be extremely helpful. I joined a short morning hike, hosted by VisitMeteora. The packages they offer are very affordably priced and extremely worth it, in my opinion. Our guide took us off the beaten path and deep into the woods, where we followed the same route which the monks originally used, many years ago. I was having a ball of a time, hiking and learning about the history of Meteora (I really like history if you have not noticed).

As you can see, my mom was really enjoying herself too; that’s her smiling on the left. I held a certain stigma toward tours in general but this guided hike changed my perspective. The guide was very informative and I learnt so much about Meteora. Exploring as a group was also extremely fun. The tour was an excellent way to meet new people. You know what they say, the more the merrier! It saddens me that I have not heard this phrase since corona began.

The Monasteries of Meteora

The monasteries itself are a sight to behold. If you were amazed by the rock formation, imagine six gorgeous monasteries, perched atop those rocks. The monasteries of The Great Meteoron, Varlaam, Rousanou, St. Nicholas Anapafsas, St. Stephen and Holy Trinity were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1988. Each monastery has its own unique story but I shall not bore you with the details. Do not hesitate to contact me should you wish to know more about the history of the monasteries.

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Pictured above is the Holy Monastery of The Great Meteoron, the biggest and the oldest of all the monasteries. Can you guess where it got its name from? Meteora, in ancient Greek, literally means suspended in the air. The monasteries seem to be floating in the sky, among the heavens. I did not believe it myself, till I saw them in person. There was something deeply spiritual about the place which is hard to explain. People came from all over the world to dedicate their lives to a higher purpose. Many came to visit and simply never left.

I felt extremely lucky that I got to behold their beauty in person. During my stay, I visited the Monastery of Rousanou which was run solely by nuns. It was interesting for me to get a glimpse of the Orthodox faith and what life inside the monastery was like. The nuns were very friendly too! What intrigued me the most was the fact that the monasteries were built before the invention of modern machinery which means that the materials were transported by hand and via pulleys. It was amazing, what humans were able to accomplish in the past, through sheer dedication and diligence.

Why you should visit

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• The monasteries have many cats

I am just joking of course, there are plenty of reasons to visit, although cuddly cats seems like a pretty good one to me. My mom was not a fan of me petting stray animals but I simply could not resist. Aside from the cats, I think that Meteora is a travel destination that has a lot to offer. Whether you are interested in hiking or history or simply looking to see something cool, Meteora is just the place you are searching for. The landscapes I witnessed and the experience I got was simply one of a kind. I am very glad to have visited Meteora.

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There was something truly peaceful and calming about Meteora. My visit had left me feeling refreshed and focused. Now, as I sit in my room, I imagine myself walking among the magical rocks, without restriction. I envision myself roaming the vast expanses of the earth in the years to come. It is my desire to see as much of the world’s beauty as possible. Maybe this shall be my purpose, documenting my adventures and sharing them with you.

Thank you for journeying with me today and I wish you a great day ahead. Do me a favour and subscribe down below and share this with your friends.