You know those days that start off normal and then somehow turn into an adventure you’ll be bragging about for years? Yeah, this was one of those.

Our group met up in the morning, all bright-eyed and full of energy (except for one guy who clearly hadn’t had his coffee yet). The plan? A scenic hike, a ridiculous number of fresh water stops, a very refreshing swim, a family-friendly rafting experience (read: zero risk of being thrown into the rapids like an action movie stuntman), and a food coma-inducing feast to end the day.

The Hike: Where We Drank Every Spring Dry

Zagori is like nature’s VIP lounge—stunning views, lush forests, and, most importantly, fresh mountain springs literally everywhere. We’d walk a few minutes, and boom—another spring, pouring out the purest, coldest water straight from the mountains. It felt like nature was flexing on us.

Of course, we stopped at every single one. We drank, we splashed our faces, and at some point, someone suggested bottling it up and starting a luxury water brand. (Still waiting for investors—hit us up.)

Between water breaks, we walked through stone bridges that looked like they belonged in a fantasy novel, crossed shady forests where even the birds seemed to be having a good time, and took in some views so gorgeous that a couple of us almost forgot to check our phones.

The Swim: Bold Moves & Ice-Cold Regrets

Eventually, we reached the river, where the water was so clear you could see straight to the bottom. Naturally, the conversation turned to:

“Sooo… who’s jumping in first?”

A brave soul volunteered, dipped a toe in, and immediately reconsidered all life choices. But it was too late—within minutes, we were all in, laughing, screaming, and making dramatic Titanic-style “I’m freezing” reenactments.

It was shockingly cold but in the best way—like nature’s version of an espresso shot. Some floated peacefully, some splashed around like hyperactive kids, and at least one person lost their dignity trying to gracefully exit the water (spoiler: it did not go well).

Rafting: The Most Chill Thrill Ride

After drying off (read: laying on a rock like sunbathing lizards), we geared up for rafting! But before you start picturing us battling insane rapids while screaming for our lives—no. This was the laid-back, laugh-with-your-friends, “oops, I splashed you again” kind of rafting.

Our guide, who had the patience of a saint, explained that teamwork was key. We nodded seriously, then immediately paddled out of sync. Somehow, we made it work.

The river carried us gently, with just enough excitement to make us feel like adventurers but not enough to make anyone question their life choices. We floated past towering cliffs, playful fish, and a bird that definitely judged us from a tree branch. At one point, we even stopped to dip our hands in the water, because apparently, we hadn’t had enough hydration for one day.

The Feast: Where We Ate Like We Hadn’t Seen Food in a Year

By the time we reached land, we had all developed a single, powerful thought: we need food.

Enter: the traditional taverna. Within minutes, our table was overflowing with grilled meats, homemade pies, fresh salads, and bread so good it deserved its own fan club. Conversation slowed down as everyone focused on stuffing their faces—except for that one person still talking about how they almost fell out of the raft (we get it, Steve, it was dramatic).

By dessert, we were full, happy, and already planning our next adventure. Someone suggested doing it all over again the next day. Someone else suggested napping for a week first.

Join Us Next Time!

Just another day with Epirus Odyssey—hiking through paradise, chugging spring water like professional athletes, making questionable swimming choices, and ending it all with a feast that should probably be illegal.

If you’re looking for an adventure that’s fun, refreshing, and absolutely delicious, you know where to find us. Who’s in for the next round?