Off the Radar: My Quiet Stay in Metsovo and Meteora
I didn’t come to Metsovo with big expectations. I just wanted some quiet, some space, and a bit of that slow-travel feeling I hadn’t had in a while. Greece is usually about beaches or ruins, right? But this time I wanted something different - no crowds, no heatwaves, just a few days in the mountains doing absolutely nothing, on purpose.
I ended up booking Grand Forest Metsovo, not really knowing what I was walking into. Turned out to be one of the best places I’ve stayed in Greece.
The drive into Metsovo is already something else. You’re winding through thick pine forest, with fog hanging in patches across the slopes and those jagged mountain views you can’t quite photograph right. By the time I reached the hotel, I was already half-zenned out. Grand Forest Metsovo sits just above the town, completely tucked into nature. It’s quiet and not in a dead kind of way, but in a calm, grounded, "let me take a deep breath" kind of way. You step out of the car and all you hear is wind through the trees and the occasional bell from a goat in the distance. I didn’t realize how much noise I carry around with me until it was gone. I booked the Junior Suite with Garden View, and to be honest, I didn’t spend much time looking at the garden. I was glued to the window watching the clouds roll across the valley. The suite itself had everything I needed a big bed, proper blackout curtains, natural fabrics, and a warm, earthy feel. It didn’t feel overdone or fake-luxury. It felt like someone actually cared about how people feel when they’re traveling solo and want to feel held, not just impressed. I had wine in the room the first night and just sat there doing nothing, watching the light change. That was enough. The breakfast was lovely. The buffet felt intentional: local yogurt, fresh fruit, mountain tea, hand-stretched pies. No plastic cheese, no soggy eggs.
The Spa: Fontus
Now this part surprised me. I knew there was a spa, but I wasn’t expecting something that felt so private and designed for real rest. There’s an indoor lap pool that feels like a modern thermal bath, a hammam room that’s actually hot (not lukewarm like most hotel versions), and a proper sauna. I booked the Grand Forest Signature Journey - a 90-minute ritual with oils, massage, and some deep breathing I didn’t even know I needed. I came out of it like I’d been deflated and reinflated better. I used the heated pool and jacuzzi again the next day in the early afternoon when no one else was around. Floating on my back under soft lighting in silence and I wish I could bottle that moment and open it during stressful weeks.
A Trip to Meteora
If you come this far north, don’t miss Meteora. It’s about an hour’s drive and you’ll need a full day or two to really do it justice. I spent two days and still felt like I could have stayed longer. It’s hard to explain Meteora. You’re driving through normal villages, then out of nowhere, boom - these towering rock formations shoot up from the earth, and perched on top are ancient monasteries that feel like they shouldn't be real. It looks surreal. Monks used to scale these cliffs with rope ladders. Now, you climb a lot of stair, hundreds in some cases but the views from the top are absolutely wild.
Varlaam was my favorite monastery. The gardens were peaceful, the museum inside was surprisingly well-curated, and the energy there felt still and grounded. Great Meteoron is bigger, older, and definitely more popular but also very impressive. If you’re short on time, at least stay for sunset. There’s a viewpoint just outside the monastery trails where people gather in silence as the sun sinks behind the rocks. It felt like a sacred moment, even though no one said a word. Heads up men should wear trousers (though modest shorts seemed okay), and women need to cover shoulders and wear a long skirt. They provide wrap skirts at the entrance if needed.
Back in Metsovo: Dinner at To Koutouki tou Nikola
On my last night, I walked into town and found a spot called To Koutouki tou Nikola. It doesn’t try to impress, and that’s what makes it great. No menus with 50 tourist options. Just a few daily specials and some house wine that tasted like it came from a cousin’s vineyard. I ordered the wild boar stifado, slow cooked in red wine with baby onions and herbs. The meat was falling apart. It came with crisp potatoes and fresh bread to soak it all up. They brought grilled cheese with lemon to start, and it was easily one of the best bites of the trip. The vibe there is laid back, mostly locals, some travelers like me. No background music. Just quiet conversation and the sound of plates clinking.
