These islands
are in the Ionian Sea on the Italian side of Greece, with the exception
of Kythira which is south of the eastern Peloponessos. Because they
were occupied by the Venetians and the Italians instead of the Turks,
the islands have a different architecture and charactor than the islands
in the Aegean. They are connected by ferry to the towns of Patras in
the Peloponessos, and Corfu and Cefalonia are connected by ferries from
Italy. You can drive to Lefkada and there is a ferry from Killini on
the Peloponessos to Cephalonia and Zakynthos. Corfu, Cephalonia, and
Zakynthos have airports.
Corfu
or Kerkyra:
Corfu is
featured in the schedule of most European package holiday companies
catering for the sort of holidaymaker who is looking for a "home away
from home" with guaranteed sun, cheap booze and lots of nightlife thrown
in for good measure. It has, therefore, managed to earn itself a reputation
for being full of karaoke bars, lager louts and "restaurants" serving
fish & chips and Sunday roast beef. However, as Greek islands go, Corfu
is one of the bigger ones - 33 miles long and 15 miles across at the
widest point - and provided you stay away from the tourist hot spots
like Kavos, Benitses, Gouvia and Ipsos, it's easy to find parts of the
island which are virtually untouched by the tackier side of tourism.
Head north out of Corfu town and within about half an hour's drive along
the east coast you're at the foot of Mount Pantokrator, whose steep
slopes and winding roads have made it enviable as a mass market development
area and the coastline here is dotted with tiny turquoise coves and
inlets. This part of the island is the closest Corfu comes to Albania
- at one point you feel you could almost swim across - and it's almost
impossible not to be touched by an eerie kind of sensation when you
realize just how close you are to what was so recently an Eastern bloc
country. It's also along this stretch of coastline that Lawrence Durrell
lived while he was writing Prospero's Cell. The house is still there
at Kalami but it's now been turned into a taverna. Over on the western
coast is a beach-lover's paradise with such long sandy stretches of
beach that even in the height of the summer season it's still possible
to find a quiet spot. Look for Halikounas, Ermones and Pelekas, but
if you want to avoid the crowds, stay away from Paleokastritsa, where
the "film set" scenery inevitably attracts a regular influx of day trippers
Inland is where you can discover a more untouched Corfu of fertile valleys,
citrus and olive groves, where the most common form of transport for
the local farmers is still a donkey. For those seeking tranquility and
a place to commune with nature, there's even a wetland nature reserve
(Lake Korisson) hidden away behind the south west coast - perfect for
twitchers in the migratory season, or for lovers at anytime! Recommended
background reading: "My Family and Other Animals" by Gerald Durrell
for a glimpse of how Corfu was 50 years ago or for maps, walks, drives
and regularly updated info - "Landscapes of Corfu" published by Sunflower.
(-Review by Elaine Key) There are many boats too and from Italy, Patras,
Igoumounitsa and the other islands in the chain. There is also an international
airport. There are many pieces of property for sale in the villages
of Corfu where you can buy houses for excellent prices.
Ithaki:
One cannot
list the Greek islands without mentioning the island of Odysseus. The
island is mountainous and rocky but lots of trees and olive groves,
as do the other Ionian islands. Several archeological sites associated
with Homer's story along with some beautiful fishing villages and beaches
make this an interesting island to visit either from Patras or Kefalonia.
Ithaka is an ideal place for walking full of trails and view. Generally
the island is small and quiet and June is really wonderful for family
vacations. Vathy (the capital of the island and the place where Odyssey
Apartments is located) brings together the northern part of the island
(Perahori) which has the best hiking and the southern part has the best
beaches (quiet isolated coves, or bigger beaches). The best way to explore
the beaches is by boat of-course. You can take your car and come to
Ithaka through Patras, where there is a ferry to Ithaca daily. The boat
departs from Patras at 12:30.
Kefallonia
or Cephalonia:
Lots of Italians.
Large green island with pine forests and many species of wildflowers
and herbs. Nesting area for the Loggerhead turtles but unlike the neighboring
island of Zakynthos where they are endangered, the turtles here are
doing fine. Locals known for being clever. Nice beaches. Village of
Fiscardo was one of the most beautiful in Greece, but that was twenty
years ago. This is where the book Corelli's Mandolin takes place. Required
reading. Captivating island that is popular with everyone but Americans.
But this book may change that. The Mellisani Cave is an underground
sea water lake featured in most guidebooks because of the amazing color
of the sea. Daily ferry from Sami to and from Italy in the summer via
Igoumounitsa and Corfu. Other connections to Lefkada, Ithaki, Zakynthos
and Kilini in the Peloponnese. There is also an airport.
Lefkada:
An island
you can drive to in the Ionian chain, it is actually connected to the
mainland by a narrow isthmus that was seperated by a canal. It is surrounded
by several smaller islands which can be visited, with beautiful pebble
and sandy beaches, great restaurants and very friendly people who still
dress in traditional attire. Nydri is Lefkadas primary tourist village
but it has retained a certain charm. Anyway you have to go there to
visit the smaller islands, one of which is the famous Skorpios of Aristotle
Onassis and Jackie fame. Paxi or Paxos The east coast has small pebble
beaches while the west coast has dramatic cliffs and caves accessable
only by boat. Has not been infected by mass tourism the way it's neighbor
Corfu has, though there are day trips from the larger island. Not many
places to stay so if you are coming high season book in advance. There
are 3 ferries a week from Brindisi during the summer months and a daily
ferry from Corfu.
Zakynthos:
Favorite
Ionian Island of most expatriates and philhellenes. Shipwreck beach
is one of the most famous Greece tourist photos and one of the most
amazing beaches. Just because it is the last island on the list does
not mean it is the last place you would want to go. This is a wonderful
island to visit. Much more beautiful than Kefalonia with nicer beaches
and hotels but like Kefalonia it is nearly impossible to find a room
here during the tourist season and if you do find one you may find out
it has been cancelled three days before you arrive due to overbooking
and the endless stream of flights coming in from Europe leaving one
group and picking up another to take home. The World Wildlife is trying
to protect the loggerhead sea turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches
there but with tourism on the rise it does not look good for the turtles.
Island Descriptions
courtesy of Matt Barrett at www.greecetravel.com
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