WORDS ELENA MATHIOPOULOUCorfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kythira, Paxi.
All seven of the Ionian Islands are simply magnificent. They
are adorned with castles and beautiful towns of unique
architecture with a clear Venetian influence; olive groves and
pine forests that reach the seashore; award-winning exotic
beaches with white sand and turquoise waters; hospitable
residents with music written in their DNA; monasteries and
Byzantine churches; mountain villages and scenic paths
running through lush landscapes, waterfalls and wetlands;
unique hiking and cycling trails; marine parks where turtles
and seals find refuge; cosmopolitan harbours and marinas
for yachts and sailing boats.
The major islands are the leaders in watersports, while
Paxi, Antipaxi, Kioni of Ithaca and the cosmopolitan
Fiskardo of Kefalonia are the favourite destinations of
those who sail in the Ionian Sea during the summer.
Moving on to the pleasures of taste, gourmet experiences
include the sofrito, bourdeto, pastitsada, ginger beer
and kumquat in Corfu, lentils from Engluvi in Lefkada,
the mandolato nougat in Zakynthos, Robola wine and
mandoles in Kefalonia.
CORFU
The most cosmopolitan of the Ionian Islands was fortunate
enough not to be destroyed by the great earthquakes of the
Ionian Sea fault, especially those of 1953, which shook the
southern islands of the cluster. It is thanks to that circumstance
that Corfu retains its Venetian charm, enriched by the influence
of the brief French occupation and the 50-year-long British
rule. On the legendary island of the Phaeacians, everything is
extraordinary: the Kanoni area and the Pontikonissi isle, Sidari
with its famous Canal d'Amour beach, the village of old Perithia,
the areas of Benitses and Kassiopi, the city of Corfu itself with
its unique alleyways, Liston and Spianada -the largest square
in the Balkans that is full of impressive buildings built by the
Venetians, the French and the English rulers-, the Old and the
New Fortress, the Achilleion palace, built by empress Sissi of
Austria-Hungary, Mon Repos Park, the Museum of Asian Art
in the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, the Archaeological
Museum, the Municipal Gallery, the famous Philharmonic
bands, the spectacular Easter events with the botides –the
customary smashing of clay pots- and the procession in
honour of the patron saint, Saint Spyridon. To the north of Corfu,
Diapontia Islands are a very popular destination for yachtsmen
who choose to sail round the island.