Attractions - Greece

Attractions - Athens

Ionian Islands, Greece

Welcome to the stomping ground of Homer’s great wandering hero, Odysseus. It was in search of the mellow green hills of Ithaki, Kefallonia and Zakynthos that the mythical prince traversed the high seas for ten long years. The modern tourist will quickly learn why Odysseus was so keen to come home. Odysseus’ last stop before Ithaki was Corfu, and you could do worse than make it your first port of call. A bewildering array of wild flowers and slender cypress trees has made Corfu a long-time favourite with literary types. Shakespeare is thought to have set The Tempest here and, in more recent times, Laurence Durell was a big fan. Take some time out in old Corfu town (the home of Greece’s only cricket club), where you will surely be enchanted by the medley of architectural styles. Stroll by the Liston - a row of buildings based on Paris’ Rue de Rivoli - which now houses some very smart and atmospheric cafes. Much of the town’s architecture is also influenced by nearby Italy, and this relationship is reflected around the rest of the island.

Just south of Corfu lie little Paxi and its tiny neighbour Antipaxi. These wonderfully quiet islands are a must on any island-hopping itinerary of Greece’s Adriatic coast. Walk around Paxi to get a proper feel for it. Ancient pathways wind their way all over the island, taking the leisured stroller through centuries-old olive groves. Alternatively you could explore Paxi on one of the locally-arranged horseback picnic rides. Nearby Antipaxi is definitely worth a visit – even if only for the tasty wine that is made from the island’s distinctive grapes. And now, on to Ithaki, where Odysseus had to dress up as a beggar and slay a host of suitors before he could reclaim his kingdom and his wife. Relive the ending to Homer’s epic by visiting sites like the Fountain of Arethousa, the Cave of the Nymphs and the Bay of Dexa – all mentioned in the Odyssey’s final book. Ithaki has a fairly rugged coastline, so don’t expect too many beaches, but the island is perfect for a relaxed walking holiday and has many hidden gems like the fishing villages of Frikes and Kioni.

The Ionian islands are filled with other attractions – the beautiful white Kefallonian beach of Myrtos, the inland villages and marvellous beaches of Kythira, the Skorpios Islet near Lefkada and the charming villages of Meganisi. Go yourself and you will doubtless come home with many other favourites as well.

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