ZAKYNTHOS
On the favourite island of the Venetians, "Il Fiore di
Levante", some of the most beautiful beaches of the Ionian
Sea clearly take the stage. Along with Corfu, Zakynthos
is one of the two most touristically developed Ionian
Islands, welcoming thousands of tourists every year.
Laganas, Gerakas, Vassilikos, Marathonissi and the Blue
Caves rank among the most scenic beaches in Greece
while the Shipwreck with the bright white sand and the
turquoise waters simply steals the show. Natural beauties
and resources are in abundance here and the entrance
to the largest natural harbour of western Greece is truly
impressive, spreading below the impressive rock of Bohali,
where Dionysios Solomos wrote the Hymn to Liberty later
to became the Greek national anthem. Around the island of
Zakynthos there is the first National Marine Park in Greece,
where the endangered loggerhead sea turtle lives and lays
its eggs. Travellers should not miss the impressive fortress
monastery dating back to the 13th century AC that stands
on Strofades island, only 37 nautical miles off the coasts
of Zakynthos. Among the island’s remarkable attractions
are the Basilica of St. Dionysios - one of the largest
pilgrimages in the Ionian Sea - and the Monastery of St.
George of Krimni. Enjoy the sunset in Keri and Kryoneri,
listen to the local serenades, and squeeze in a visit to the
island's wineries, simply because Zakynthos has almost
2000 hectares of vineyards and over 60 different varieties.
ITH ACA
Odysseus' homeland, Homer’s muse, the source of
inspiration for Greek poet Constantine Cavafy and that
eternal journey we all want to embark on. A trip to Ithaca
can only be mythical and unforgettable. The second
smallest island of the cluster after Paxi, Ithaca, the
universal symbol of love for one’s birthplace, is located
south of Lefkada and northeast of Kefalonia.Built in a deep fjord-like bay, Vathi, the capital of the
island, maintains its old charm and that traditional
architecture commonly found in the Ionian islands.
Within a stone's throw, there is the island of Sotiras,
also known as Lazaretto, with its small 17th century
church and the quarantine station built in 1817. Like a
bright beacon of Christianity, the monastery of Panagia
Kathariotissa, the protector of Ithaca, has been standing
since 1696 at the most beautiful spot on the island, on
the Homeric mountain of Niritos. You must also visit the
medieval stone-built village of Anogi with its incredible
menirs, and Kioni, a traditional amphitheatrically built
settlement of cultural heritage that will take you on a
trip to its long history that starts in the 16th century. The
most popular beach is without a doubt Filiatro, while
Schinos is the favourite beach of celebrities.