ITHACA Ithaca Island is famous through mythology for it is the mythical land of the famous Odysseus (Ulysses). It is part of the seven islands forming the group called Ionian Islands. It is a beautiful, verdant island full of traditional and picturesque villages and amazing beaches with crystalline waters. The authenticity, wildness and unspoiled beauty of the area are charming every one who visits it. In Vathi, you can view quaint red-roofed houses Neorio that set among beautiful scenery at the end of the deep closed Molos bay. The Cave of Nymphs is located just slightly northwest of Vathi. This is where, according to myth, Odysseus hid gifts that were bestowed upon him by the Phaeacians, who sent him to Ithaca ten years after the Trojan War had ended. The Monastery of the Archangels is also very well worth a visit, located at Perahori. The bay of Polis holds a cave in which inscriptions were carved that testified to the worship of Artemis, Hera, and Athena. There were also twelve tripods found here that were very similar to the ones that the Phaeacians supposedly had given to Odysseus. In Pelikata, excavations on the hillside have revealed a small Bronze Age settlement. The finding of this settlement have helped to reinforce the notion that ancient Ithaca lies somewhere close to this point. For a look at villages who have been virtually unspoiled from modernism, Kioni and Frikes are wonderful stopping places. Ithaki is Vathi also filled with many wonderful beaches for Nikos O. Papadakis International Yachts Sales & Charters Nikos O. Papadakis International Yachts Sales & ChartersURL: URL: http://www.yachtsgreece.com http://www.yachtsgreece.com e-mail:e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Tel:+30 Tel:+30 210 210 9836312 9836312 Fax:+30 Fax:+30 210 210 9827919 9827919 Mobile:+306944310140 Mobile:+306944310140 ITHACA you to swimming or simply relaxing and gazing into the clear and beautiful sea. Throughout the ages Ithaca has been known as the home of Odysseus. For years Homer's hero wandered before he finally returned to his island kingdom. Though he visited beautiful, exotic, far-flung lands, Ithaca never left his mind for a moment. And even today, once you've been to Ithaca, it's difficult to forget this small, mountainous island with Neorio its captivating coves that conjure up some earthly paradise. Afales beach Ithaca is separated from Cephalonia by a channel some 2 to 4 kilometres wide. The west coast of the island is steep and almost barren in contrast to the green, gentle shoreline on the east. The capital and largest settlement is Ithaki or Vathy its red-roofed Kioni delightful houses set amidst enchanting scenery at the end of the deep closed bay of Molos. Taking the capital as a starting point, it's easy to get to know the island's landmarks. Three kilometres to the northwest lies the so- called Cave of the Nymphs (Nimfon Cave). Here according to the myth, Odysseus hid the gifts bestowed upon him by the Phaeacians who deposited him upon Ithaca's shores ten long years after the end of the Trojan War. Also worth visiting is the medieval Monastery of the Archangels at Perahori. North of the capital and 600 metres above sea level, the Kathara Monastery (Moni Nikos O. Papadakis International Yachts Sales & Charters URL: http://www.yachtsgreece.comKatharon) has a unique e-mail: [email protected] Tel:+30 210 9836312 Fax:+30 210 9827919 Mobile:+306944310140view of the island from its bell tower. ITHACA In the horizon you can make out the mountains of Akarnania, the Echinades islets, the peaks of Zakinthos, the eastern coast of Cephalonia and even the entrance to the Gulf of Patras. Stavros, a village 17 kilometers northwest of Ithaki, is a good base from which to explore the northern section of the island. About 1 kilometer north of Stavros is Pelikata; excavations ïn this hillside between the bays of Polis and Frikes brought to light Neorio remains of a small Bronze Pera Pigadi Age settlement. The finds unearthed there reinforce the theory that the ancient city of Ithaca lies somewhere in the vicinity. Kioni and Frikes, typically lonian villages, on the northeast coast are unspoilt, wonderful places for a short excursion or an extended sojourn. Ithaca offers lovely beaches for bathing, caves Stavros for exploring and uncrowded hamlets where noisy nightlife is unheard of. "When you set out for Ithaca", wrote the poet Constantine Kavafis. He was referring to Ithaca as one's ultimate destination. Thus, Ithaca, this verdant lonian island, may become your in favorite place, a place that draws you back year after year, when you plan your summer holiday. Nikos O. Papadakis International Yachts Sales & Charters URL: http://www.yachtsgreece.com e-mail: [email protected] Tel:+30 210 9836312 Fax:+30 210 9827919 Mobile:+306944310140 MEGANISI Meganisi is a spectacular tiny island very close to Lefkada. It is very green, with crystal clear waters, simple, ideal for romance, honeymooners or for those who wish to get away from it all. The hospitable people, the peaceful way of living, the interchange of the scenery, makes it an ideal place for relaxed vacation. Vathy is the village where the ferry calls. It a pretty fishing village whose harbour entrance is flanked by chapels to bless all boats safe passage. it has nice Neorio beaches and lot of amenities. Katomeri is a cheerful and attractive village. A road leads to Limonari and Elia bay with beautiful beaches. Spartohori is an immaculate village with picturesque houses and an abundance of bougainvillaea flower- trees. A road from Spartohori leads to Spilio Bay with nice beach and another track to Ai Yiannis sandy beach. Close to Spartohori is "Deamon's cave", visit is worth. Compared to its size, Meganisi has many beaches, both pebbled and sandy. They are all clean and almost isolate, as few of them have tourist amenities closeby. On these beaches, you can relax and swim among a picturesque landscape, as the whole of the island is green. Vathi Nikos O. Papadakis International Yachts Sales & Charters Nikos O. Papadakis International Yachts Sales & Charters URL: URL: http://www.yachtsgreece.com http://www.yachtsgreece.com e-mail:e-mail: [email protected]@yachtsgreece.com Tel:+30 Tel:+30 210 210 9836312 9836312 Fax:+30 Fax:+30 210 210 9827919 9827919 Mobile:+306944310140 Mobile:+306944310140 N IKOS O DYSSEAS P APADAKIS I N T E R N A T I O N A L YACHT SALES & CHARTERS Meganisi actually means "the largest" and this is because it is the largest of the small islands here in this area. In between the capital Nidri on Lefkas and the island of Meganisi there are several smaller islands like Sparti, Skorpidi and Skorpios / Scorpios (also known as Onassis island). Meganisi has many small and very nice beaches. The best known beaches are Spilia Beach, Ambelakia Beach, Agios Ioannis Beach, Pasoumaki Beach, Neorio Atherinos and Limonari Beach. Most of these beaches are small pebble beaches. Not all the beaches on Meganisi are accessible by foot and most of them have no facilities like tavernes, sunbeds and parasols. Spilia Beach is perhaps the Agios Ioannis beach best know beach of the island Meganisi. It is found at a distance of about 1 kilometer of the harbour of Spilia. The beach is very beautiful with white pebbles and crystal clear waters. The beach is surrounded by trees so you can find a place in the shade if you want to. There are a couple of tavernes at the beach. Usually it doesn't get too crowded on Spilia Beach. Agios Ioannis Beach is a large beach on the west side of the island. It is named after the nearby church of Agios Ioannis. It is an unorganized beach, quite narrow and long but normally not crowded (because there is plenty of space). As there are no tavernes and sunbeds & parasols on this beach you have to bring your own food and water and also a very good sunblock. Around the beach it is quite green with bushes and trees so it is possible to find some shade. Agios Ioannis Beach can be reached over a path leading from the village of Spartochori. Megalo and Micro Limonari beach are two beaches close to the village of Katomeri, from where it can be reached over a path. These beaches are more sandy and they are normally quiet. Megali (meaning large) Limonari is the largest of the two whereas Micro (small) Limonari is more like a cove. The beaches are surrounded by trees and greenery for shade. The water at these beaches has a green blue colour. Fanari Beach is situated not far from the village of Vathi. It is a beautiful and quiet beach. This beach is also unorganized, but it is surrounded by lush vegetation for shade and it is very picturesque. Papanikolis cave Fanari is a pebble beach with clear waters. Nikos O. Papadakis International Yachts Sales & Charters URL: http://www.yachtsgreece.com e-mail: [email protected] Tel:+30 210 9836312 Fax:+30 210 9827919 Mobile:+306944310140 SKORPIOS Skorpios or Scorpios is a private island in the Ionian Sea off the western coast of Greece and just to the east of the island of Lefkada. It is mainly known as the private island of the late Greek shipping billionaire Aristotle Onassis. The 2001 census reported a population of two inhabitants. Administratively it is part of the municipality of Meganisi in Lefkada regional unit. Neorio The island is heavily forested from south to north and features over 200 varieties of trees imported to the once nearly barren island by Aristotle Onassis.