Get walking in the Greek mountains

Greece is famous for its beaches, villas, friendly villages and great Mediterranean weather.

The country also makes a great place to visit for an active holiday, whether you are staying on the coast or further inland.

Water sports from jet skiing to windsurfing and kayaking are readily available from many beachside resorts, and sailing holidays Greek island-hopping are also a great way of experience the natural beauty of the country.

However, a lesser known side to the country can be discovered in the Pindos Mountains, located in northern Greece.

The mountain range is home to one of the world's deepest gorges, Vikos Gorge, and a walking holiday is a great way of seeing the cliffs, ravines, rivers and waterfalls of the gorge and the surrounding mountains.

There are more than 50 different varieties of orchids in the mountains, and almost 2,000 varieties of wild flowers.

One of the popular trails in the mountains is the Vradeto Steps - a winding series of steps descending a vertical cliff, where you can also see rare orchids and wild herbs.

Dotted around the mountains are the 46 villages of the Zagoria area, where holidaymakers can get the authentic Greek experience, from local culture and pretty stone buildings, to archaeological sites, museums to monasteries.

Among the tour operators with breaks to the Greece in 2008 are Travelux, which has week-long breaks in the mountains in May and June to catch the blooming flowers and plants at their spring best.

Prices start from around £900 per person including return flights from London Gatwick or Manchester, transfers, seven nights' staying in full-board mountain accommodation with six guided walks of approximately three to four hours (though these may be longer, depending on the group).

There are also several other tour operators offering walking holidays in the Pindos Mountains, including KE Adventure and Sherpa Walking Holidays.