Today Netferry explores the route from Igoumenitsa to Alexandroupoli, taking you through mainland Greece and across to the eastern port city of Alexandroupoli. We begin in Igoumenitsa, on the west coast of Greece. It is easy to get to and well connected with frequent ferries to many ports along the east coast of Italy, such as Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and Venice. 

At first sight, Igoumenitsa is a typical tourist port, and we recommend continuing into mainland Greece unless you have time to make a quick 50 km diversion south to the beautiful coastal town of Parga. The town is picture-postcard perfect; with a beautiful castle perched above the bay, little islands just off the coast, mazes of little white houses in the centre and of course, beautiful beaches. There are a few things to do in the town aside from swimming in the superb turquoise water, including visiting the Olive Oil Museum and visiting the castle, which is free of charge. The only problem with this gorgeous place is that in the summer it becomes overrun with tourists. So if you happen to be travelling in August, we recommend that you skip Parga and head north-east, to the region of Zagorohoria.

The mountain region of Zagorohoria is traditional and tranquil; it's home to around 46 little villages and towns nestled into the rocky mountainside. There are plenty of cute B&Bs to stay at, where you can also eat good homemade food and relax, as well as do some hiking and climbing. The region hosts the Vikos Gorge, which is quite a spectacle and also the world's deepest canyon in proportion to its width. One of the most delightful restaurants in the region is in the village of Monodendri, it is called O Dionysos and sells everything from spit-roasted lamb to Epirot pies. They are handmade pastries filled with seasonal vegetables, milk, cheese or spinach, usually served with a wedge of cheese or a dollop of yoghurt, heaven.

After relaxing in the rural mountains, head for the bright lights of Thessaloniki, a lively port city in northern Greece with a population of around 325,000. This city is full of young people, fun and culture, in the face of the devastating economic crisis. The economy has undoubtedly suffered and the port, which was once served by many ferries, today has a reduced service. However, this city is still a great place to visit for tourists in search of an authentic urban Greek experience and some of the best food in the country. It is worth stopping here to have a fantastic at least, as the cuisine has rich influences from the Ottoman east. Young, dynamic chefs from this region have made the best of a difficult economic situation in the city. For example, Extravaganza is a restaurant opened by three friends in an abandoned space near the Roman Agora.

Continuing to Alexandroupoli, we take a relaxing diversion to the Halkidiki Peninsula for a couple of days on the beach, having left behind the chaos of Thessaloniki. The Halkidiki peninsula looks like three fingers jutting into the Aegean Sea on the map, and the westerly finger is Kassandra, which is also the busiest and most touristy part. You have Sithonia, the middle finger, which is more rugged, characterized by little fishing hamlets and finally, the Athos peninsula, which is the last finger and the most beautiful. However, if you want to visit Mount Athos, located near the end of the peninsula, there is a problem; this part of the peninsula is only open for male visitors! Mount Athos has been a place of sacred spirituality for millennia, and since 1060 Constantine IX Monomahos banned women from entering, along with female domestic animals, un-bearded men and eunuchs. If men want to visit this sacred place, you must obtain a permit and those under 18 must be accompanied by their father.

After cooling down by the beautiful Aegean Sea, we stay on the coast and head for the port city of Kavala, which is a cultural hub with plenty of excellent museums and some fantastic Ottoman buildings in the old town. There are some lovely beaches nearby, such as Rapsani and the more lively Batis beach. There are also plenty of excellent seafood restaurants to enjoy here. Kavala also has many ferry links to the Aegean, Cyclades and Dodecanese Islands amongst others.

If you don't get distracted by visiting one of the many islands connected to Kavala, then it's on to Xanthi, which is a charming town, some say it is the most attractive Thracian city. It has a lovely town centre with winding streets and plenty of good bars and restaurants. The city is also famous for its sweets, and one of the oldest and most famous bakeries is called Paraskeva. North of Alexandroupoli is the Dadia Forest Reserve; a real treat for nature lovers, situated on one of Europe's most important bird migration routes. Depending on the time of year, you may spot rare species of bird, including three types of vulture.

After enjoying all that nature has to offer, we go back to civilization to end the trip in the city of Alexandroupoli. This city also has ferry connections to Samothraki. But why not stay for a day or two to visit the excellent Ethnographic Museum, the Art Museum or indulge in some shopping. We recommend a shop called Myrsini; it is packed full of silk products. There are real silk scarves from just 5 Euros, and you can watch fabrics being made here, why not purchase a few souvenirs before heading home?

Ferries to Greece

Netferry allows you to buy your ferry ticket to Greece with just a few clicks. On the Netferry website, you can find the best ferries to the Ionian islands. Just visit the Netferry website to find out more about timetables, travel companies, costs and special offers. Why not spend your holidays on one of the Greek islands? Just find a ferry on the Netferry site along with all of the information you need to buy your ferry ticket quickly and easily.

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