In about 500m on your left,  you will see large signs for Perama and the cave (the Ioannina lake should be on your right). Take the small lane up to the cave - via an unusual one-way system - the road system seems to revert to the UK side! After about 500m you will see a overhead sign, commanding "Stop - Cave", with an arrow pointing to the left up a small flight of steps. Look for somewhere to park your car - there is no car park, so you may have to park some way up the lane, and then walk back. Walk up the flight of steps, and straight ahead, you will see the cave entrance. The small garden shed to the left is where you pay - which didn't seem very obvious to us - although it was winter time. The charges for 2002 are 6 Euros per adult and 2 Euros per child and include a well rehearsed and very informative 'guided tour' lasting 45mins - for much of that time you will be walking.

 Initially you have to go through some fairly small tunnels - if you are tall - watch your head. Suddenly, you arrive into a huge cavern full of every type of calcium rock formation imaginable.

The camera is unable to capture the awe inspiring size of the main cavern. After detailed explanations, the tour continues along the full length of the cavern - weaving between a field of 'stalagmites' - some of them over 7 meters tall - we were reminded that it takes over a hundred years to grow one centimeter!  The trail continues down deep twisting tunnels opening into even more caverns - all of them impressively backlit with orange street lights! During the tour, you are shown over 20 different types of rock formations - stalagmites and tights are only one such type. You are allowed to get very close up and even encouraged to touch them - something that children are sure to love.

Many of the rock formations have formed 'statues' and have been given names. This one is supposed to be 'Santa Claus' '. My favourite though was the 'wine bottle' - in my excitement I forgot to take a photo!

The lily garden.

The caves are world famous for having the most different varieties of formations.

Our guide told us that the only threat to the caves is the high levels of carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere that combines with the rain to form carbonic acid. This acid is slowly eating away the formations. Sad to think that it took 1500000 years for the caves to become what they are today and yet in a brief period we seem to be able to destroy them!

 Before the exit, there is quite a steep climb. During a brief pause there is a mention about the cave's discoverer and then back into the daylight. You come out high above the entrance. There is a small cafe, offering great views over the Ioannina lake. Also a friendly little jewelers offering allegedly hand crafted sliver rings set with local stone in Byzantinyen designs. I avoided these as they were a little 'pagan looking', and selected a matching silver necklace and bracelet set  for Eleni.