Hi Lorae, what info are you looking for specifically? Been there twice, and I will return! And of course I LOVE to talk about Metsovo! It's like an Alpine village, only Greek!
There is lots to choose from in terms of accommodation. I stayed at the Hotel Kassaros last year, which was a C class, but much nicer than the letter C would suggest. Close to the main square, but off the main street so a bit quieter. Parking in the summer unfortunately is a nightmare, there are lots of visitors and the streets were not made for cars.
Speaking of cars, the drive from Ioannina can be a bit hairy (cliff-hugging narrow roads with cars that love to pass you in blind spots).
Musts: Try the local yoghurt with honey. It's unbelievably good and all the cafes sell it. There is also a nice local cheese (Metsovone), and farmers sausages, local wine, all excellent.
There are also quite a number of handicraft places selling woodenware and textiles. Some of them are not what I'd call the best (buyer beware - unfortunately Metsovo has become a resort destination for busloads of Greeks which has given rise to a ton of kitchy 'souvenir' shops), but if you look further up from the square you'll find some great older and really authentic shops. There is one fantastic textile place where I've purchased a number of antique local weavings in the traditional colours and patterns (browns, burgundies, reds, earthy colours). They are beautiful and so unique - the zigzag patterns along the top are representitive of the mountain peaks, so I'm reminded of the place when I look at them everyday.
Try to stay on a weekend. Metsovo is one of the few (only??) places left in Greece where you will find people dressed in traditional costume. The older women will wear theirs on Saturday night in the square and also Sunday after church. Last year I saw two traditional Vlach weddings in Metsovo, and there was so much to photograph - with all the traditional dress, live music, dancing. Even with no wedding, there is often dancing in the square on Sundays.
In the morning, the best 'photo op' in town is of the old men sitting at the bus stop in the town central platiea. They aren't waiting for the bus, they are just sitting with their kleitsas (walking sticks), some fingering their worry beads and discussing the day's gossip. It looks like it could be a hundred years ago...
Metsovo is a Vlach town - the Vlachs were nomadic shepherds said to have been desended from the original Roman legionnaires who once occopied the land. Today they speak a Vlach dialect, so even if you speak some Greek it's very difficult to understand. Sounds almost like Latin. Sorry if you know this stuff already, but I could go on forever about northern Greece!
The Tosita mansion is worth seeing, it's a glimpse into how a wealthy Metsovite would have lived and the architecture and furniture is unique to the area. There is also a good local art gallery.
There is an official town website:
www.metsovo.gr
I think you will love it, please let me know if you want more or specific info. Omigosh, I've written a BOOK!
& Photography by
