From Parga, the road does not simply follow the coast south. It climbs out of the bay and turns into the Epirus hinterland: olive slopes, small villages, short views back to the Ionian Sea. Near Mesopotamos, the Necromanteion of Acheron sits close to the route — the ancient oracle of the dead, linked to Homer’s underworld story. The stage then works towards Preveza. Just before town, the ruins of Nikopolis are worth knowing about: Octavian founded the city after his victory at Actium in 31 BC, and its theatre, walls and odeon still sit spread out across the landscape. After Preveza comes the Aktio crossing and the Ambracian Gulf. Vonitsa, with its castle and waterfront, is the last proper stop before the road turns down to Palairos.
