Head towards the border between Greece and Albania and you can find the historic city of Ioaninna, set beside a lake of the same name. With a long, colourful, and occasionally bloody history, Ioaninna has played an important role in the history of the area. Once a major stronghold of the Ottoman Empire, the city was home to the infamous Ali Pasha and was the site of his final capture and beheading. Since these violent times, the city has evolved into a much more peaceful place, though peace has always played a role in the importance of the area. The island located in Lake Ioaninna is home to several famous monasteries and was a favoured place of pilgrimage across the years. Now it is home to a great variety of fabulous restaurants and cafes.