Spotlight on Sivota, Greece

For its incredible waters, bustling harbour, and beautiful scenery. It’s as simple as that. Sivota’s harbour is the heart and soul of the town. During the day, you'll find fishermen tending to their boats and bringing the day's catch of fresh fish ashore, ready to be served up in the local tavernas that evening. Come sunset, the tempo picks up with locals and tourists milling about to create a friendly atmosphere. Nightlife revolves around drinking with friends - new and old - and taking a leisurely stroll by the water's edge. Utter bliss.

And if sampling a touch of the high life is high on your agenda, then you’ll find plenty of opportunities in Sivota. Here, many luxury boats and yachts cast their anchors to Sivota’s shores, so you’re bound to feel immersed in their grandiosity. If, instead, you’re after authenticity by the sea, then a visit to one of the small shops nestled just off the marina will do the trick, of which most house some of Greece’s famous exports: olive oil and local spirits.

Sivota may epitomise laid-back living, but that’s not to say life here is all relaxing and no play. The area can offer the best of everything: tranquillity and calm waters, together with high-octane thrills and, as we like to put it, throwing you out of your comfort zone. It doesn’t get much better than that.

With the Pindos Mountains to the east and the Ionian Sea to the west, Sivota is packed with hidden gems: think an abandoned village, unexplored beaches and more hidden coves than you can shake a stick at. And nothing beats finding these golden nuggets via a cycle ride or a hiking adventure.

With hiking adventures in mind, the nearby inland villages offer some first-rate trails complete with stone-arched bridges, hairpin bends and, as you may have already gathered, pretty decent views (by decent we mean jaw-dropping).

There are plenty of boat excursions travelling to and from the myriad Ionian islands, many of which stop mid-journey for a refreshing ocean dip and venture to nearby caves for a spot of exploring. Or if you really want to push the boat out (no pun intended) and take to the high seas in style why not hire your very own private motorboat?

If you’re up for a day trip, a good place to start is Epirus’ capital, Ioannina. A cultural treasure chest, stepping foot in the capital is equivalent to leaping back in time. The old quarter houses a 6th-century church, the Cathedral of St Athanasius and boasts views of a mountain range that turns lilac come sunset. Take a trip to Ioannina and you’ve pretty much nailed sightseeing.

Another treat for the eyes is Ikos–Aoös National Park. With its many lakes, rivers, deep canyons and ancient trade paths, it’s the area’s most picturesque spot. Dramatic landscapes and wildlife dominate the area, so if you feel like a hike and/or going off the beaten tracks, Ikos–Aoös National Park is the place to do so. It’s nature at its best.

The food of Sivota’s restaurants is Greek through and through, with local ingredients and simplicity at its core. Thanks to its location, things like aubergines, feta and garlic rule, and their punchy flavours can be found in most dishes.

Sivota’s harbour is its heart and soul, so it should come as no surprise that fish is the hero of many local dishes. Served by the kilo (as is the wine), you can guarantee that the catch of the day was caught that same day and that the person selling it to you most likely caught it (in Sivota, restaurant owners tend to be the fisherman).

If you’re up for a cocktail or two, there are plenty of bars scattered throughout the village where you can dive into a whiskey sour or a Tom Collins, not to mention a few ouzos while you’re there…

Sivota has no city beach, but there are plenty nearby, many within walking distance or a very short drive away.

Zavia is one of them. Small but beautiful, Zavia boasts pebbled shores and, as you’d expect from Sivota, emerald waters. Palm trees provide shelter from the sun for those seeking shade and there’s asmall olive grove nearby that’s screaming to be explored.

Mega Ammos is a large, sandy beach with water sports found in abundance. It’s easy to pass a full day away at Mega Ammos: itineraries include sunbathing and jet skiing, before heading to a changing cabin to head to one of the beachside restaurants. Not bad, eh?

Summer sees temperatures soar (often into the 30s) with nearly 12 hours of daylight on offer, ideal for beach getaways. If heat isn’t your thing, late March-early June is the best time to visit, with temperatures high enough to keep you in t-shirts, but not so high that it starts to get sticky.

Visiting in August? Be prepared to get in on the festival action. August 15th is the largest celebration of the summer, with many churches celebrating the Dormition of the Virgin (Assumption of the Virgin Mary). You’ll find streets filled with traditional dancing, food, wine and plenty of gusto.

The River Acheron makes for a great day out. Not only is it as clear as gin, but the river is also steeped in mythological connections to the Greek underworld. Once you’ve read about and immersed yourself in ancient legend, take in the countryside with a stroll along the river’s bank.

As natural sights go, Vikos-Aoos National Park is hard to beat. So grab your hiking boots and get lost in one of nature’s true delights.