A people-centered travel documentary with Ina Tarandou.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the people, the places, and the moments that take our breath away."

Ina Tarandou travels and sees “Life Differently.” The exact destination does not matter — the journey itself becomes the destination, and life is experienced through the eyes of those she meets.

Stories of people whose actions embody optimism, strength, and hope. Through their “eyes” we discover life, history, and the beauty of our land. People who, despite adversity, refused to give up, took risks, developed new enterprises, revived neglected corners of the Greek countryside, and gave new life to local products.

Whether close to or far from the cities, each story reveals another side of Greece — of its land, its society, its reality. Sometimes looking to the future, sometimes deeply rooted in the past.

The countryside and nature, gastronomy, musical tradition, sports and customs, the arts and science — these become the lens through which we see “Life Differently.” And it is shown to us by people who know exactly what they are doing, and who know how to see life in their own way.

We will unfold the map and count the kilometers. Guided by people, we will record everyday life in every corner of Greece. We will uncover hidden spots, unexplored beaches, and off-road trails. We will taste delicacies, learn how local products are made. We will dance, laugh, and be moved.

We will transmit that feeling of having your breath taken away — standing on the castle of Skyros, atop Mount Helmos counting the stars, hearing the brass bands in the alleys of Corfu at Easter, reaching as far as Cape Kavo Doro, or walking a tightrope across the gorge of the Aoos in Konitsa.

Because life is even more beautiful… when you see it differently!

Autumn is the season of orange hues and the rustle of leaves dancing their way to the ground. These images and sounds are enchanting, unmatched — especially when you find them in the proud, mountainous region of Grevena. A place at once wild and serene. A landscape of raw, magnetic beauty.

Equally captivating are its people and the stories they share with us about living life differently. A life away from the noise and exhausting pace of the city — a life full of creativity, genuine relationships, and meaningful moments.

That’s exactly what we experienced spending a day on Stelios’s farm, together with his family and friends. Surrounded by trees and animals, just a few kilometers outside the town of Grevena, we instantly became one with nature. Our conversations with Stelios and his 12-year-old son Nikolas, the aromas of the meal prepared by mushroom-hunter Andreas, and the music and songs from the whole company reminded us of that irresistible human need for peace and the tranquility offered by nature — and for real moments with family and friends.

Impressed by young Nikolas’s presence and words — and by the warmth of the group — we continued on to the village of Felli, to meet Mrs. Maria, who stole our hearts with her very first “good evening!” Known by all as proud Vlacha “Dokomaria,” she sang for us, danced for us, and shared her village life with a radiant smile that never left her lips. That vitality and joy — that’s what we wished we could hold on to! She also introduced us to her granddaughters, Christina and Athina, who transported us with their music and wonderful voices.

With our hearts full from meeting the unforgettable Dokomaria, we went on to a place “forgotten by God” to find Stergios at his mitato — his shepherd’s hut — where he welcomed us into his “Paradise.” We were struck by a man so full of life and energy, and we wondered how someone could choose to live at the very top of a mountain. But indeed, he is full of everything… Having lived for years as an immigrant in Germany, after two decades he chose to return to his roots, devoting himself to organic livestock farming. In the summers, you’ll also find him in Kefalonia, at Myrtos beach, gliding through the skies with his glider! And all this, simply because, as he tells us, “nature is life.”

Our journey in Grevena could only close with a visit to the town itself, and to the impressive exhibition by award-winning Vangelis Nikopoulos on the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution. Vangelis is the man who reveals his homeland through a photo album that spans 80 years of Grevena’s history, leaving a profound cultural legacy with his work. He spoke to us about how the idea of the album began, and how collecting historical elements and objects turned into passion and way of life.

Our autumn journey to Grevena and the people we met there reminded us what it means to live with little but essential things, to smile at life’s simplicities, to be one with nature — and with the people you love.