Epirus (or Ipiros) is a geographical and historical region in southeastern Europe, shared between Greece and Albania. A rugged and mountainous region, filled with natutal beauty and historical sight, a chalenge for romantic adventurers!
A land with beautiful beaches stretches from the Ionian Sea until the borders of West Macedonia and Thessaly, Epirus. It is a land with beautiful beaches binding with high mountains that impress with their wild beauty.
The coasts of Epirus in the Ionian offer some of the best beaches in Greece and also big tourist resorts (Parga, Syvota, Preveza, etc.) that accommodate millions of visitors from Greece or abroad every year.
The traditional folk music with themes from the people's daily life and struggle and the main musical instrument, the clarinet, are defining of the history of the people of Epirus. Epirus with its virgin natural environment, the historical monuments (archaeological sites, oracles), the many museums, the traditional villages, the social mores, the hospitality and its traditional music, satisfies the most demanding visitor.
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece at 2,917m. and one of the highest in Europe in real absolute altitude from base to top, since its base is located at sea level. It is situated at 40°05′N 22°21′E, in the greek mainland. It is renown for its very rich flora with several endemic species. The highest peak on Mount Olympus is Mitikas, which in Greek means "nose" (an alternative transliterated spelling of this name is "Mytikas"). Mitikas is the highest peak in Greece, the second highest being Skolio (2912 m). Any climb to Mount Olympus starts from the town of Litochoro, which calls itself Haven of the Gods because of its location on the roots of the mountain.
In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus is considered the sacred home of the twelve primary gods that rule the fate of mortals. The Greeks thought there existed crystal mansions on top of Olympus wherein the gods, such as Zeus (The King of Gods and Goddesses), dwelt. Moreover,according to myth when Gaia (mother earth) gave birth to the Titans (the ancestors of the gods) they were so huge they used the mountains in Greece as their thrones and Cronus (the youngest and most powerful of the Titans) sat on Mount Olympus itself. The etymology and meaning of the name Olympus (Olympos) is unknown, and it may be of Pre-Indo-European origin
