The Vikos Gorge in Greece is a haven for nature lovers and hikers alike, in the heart of Epirus, one of my favourite areas in all of Greece. Tucked away in the Zagori region and one of Greece's 10 national parks (Vikos-Aoos National Park) it boasts stunning views and untouched beauty. With its deep canyon and charming villages (it is actually one of the deepest gorges in the world, with more than 1,000m deep) , Vikos offers a peaceful escape from the tourist crowds. So here are my personal recommendations in order to fully enjoy Vikos:

• If you don't feel like hiking, there still are three viewpoints where you can see the majesty of Vikos in all of its glory. The first one is called "Oxya viewpoint" and it's quite close to the village of Monodendri. It looks into Vikos from the south right to its north side. Don't get too close to the egde, though, as there are no protective railings. The second spot is the village called..Vikos! Yes, one of the Zagori villages is actually called Vikos and offers probably the most insane view to the Vikos gorge. Simply drive to the village and follow the path to the edge, where the view is. There is also a cute cafe right at that spot. The third one is close to the village of Vradeto, which is the highest village in all of the Zagori area, at an altitude of 1,300m. Drive to the village and take the walking trail to the Beloi viewpoint. It's a very easy hike with no real change in altitude. No serious uphill or downhill, so it's pretty much doable by anyone. The view from Beloi is nothing short of breathtaking.

• If you wish to hike Vikos, there is a beautiful hiking trail starting from the southern side of the gorge, going right next to the river and then ascending towards the springs of river Voidomatis, all the way to the village of Vikos. From there, you may even continue to Papigo.