The wondrous region of Meteora, nestled in northern Greece, is about a four-hour drive from Athens or three from Thessaloniki. I first heard of Meteora a few years back from a colleague, and later from photographers who visited and were enchanted by its beauty. The breathtaking landscape of Meteora features gigantic basalt rocks that soar hundreds of meters into the sky, with dramatic cliffs rising from the earth, crowned by "hanging" monasteries.

Greek monasteries ( Video: Gilad Topaz ) Our journey to Meteora kicked off with a cozy overnight stay in the charming town of Delphi, perched on Mount Parnassus, offering a splendid view of the Gulf of Corinth. Delphi was once home to the Oracle of Delphi, the most revered oracle in classical Greece, and a pivotal site for Apollo's worshipers. Today, you can wander through the impressive ruins that echo with ancient history.

6 View gallery ( Photo: Gilad Topaz ) After an enjoyable tour of the antiquities, we continued north toward Lake Plastira, traversing impressive mountains cloaked in clouds and lush greenery. It was hard to believe we were in Greece, a land typically associated with islands and pristine beaches. As we drove through the stunning scenery, we expected to find tourist spots for a quick stop, but it seemed the Greeks hadn't prioritized making the area tourist-friendly.

So, we found ourselves driving nearly three hours non-stop on winding roads until we reached the lake. Before arriving, heavy rain and fog obscured th.