Greek Island Synopsis
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Greek Island Synopsis
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Ionian IslandsThe Ionian islands of western Greece remind many people of Italy, particularly the island of Corfu. They receive more rain than the islands in the Aegean and so are greener. Known for their beautiful beaches, unique cuisine and package tourism they are not as easy to reach from Athens since there are no boats. Many people fly, some direct from their home countries. There are however ferry connections from several ports in Western Greece. Click on these links or scroll down. You can use the top button to return. When you finish you can use this link or the link at the bottom of the page to return to Greek Island Synopsis Main Menu or visit another island chain. |
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Corfu (Kerkyra) |
Ithaki |
Kefalonia |
Kythera |
Lefkada |
Paxos |
Zakynthos |
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You can e-mail me if you have questions about the Greek Islands, itineraries, ferry connections, hotels or anything actually- Matt Barrett Corfu: The British Greek Island Someone actually took me to task for this heading for Corfu, writing to me that the island is nothing like the UK and then going into detail about what they did not like about England. They were really offended. I wrote them a long explanation and the e-mail was returned as undeliverable. But the reason I called Corfu the British Greek Island, besides the fact that at one time it was British and they still play cricket there is because 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 hotspots 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 unviable 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 realise 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 daytrippers. 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 upated info - "Landscapes of Corfu" published by Sunflower. (-Review by Elaine Key)
There are
many boats to 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 interior villages of Corfu where you can buy houses for excellent prices. See my guide to Corfu at
www.greecetravel.com/corfu Ithaki For Kayaking among the Ionian Islands and also inflatable motorboat safaris see Trekking Greece at www.greecetravel.com/trekking/
Kefallonia You can try contacting Fantasy Travel and they can attempt to find a room or check www.hotelsofgreece.com/ionian . For Kayaking among the Ionian Islands see Trekking Greece at www.greecetravel.com/trekking/ Kythira
You can book holidays on Kythira through Aegean Thesaurus Travel. Lefkada Buses to Lefkafa leave from Bus terminal A at 7, 13:00, 16:30 and 20:30 every day. The trip is 5 and a half hours and costs 30 euros. As far as I know you can't get tickets in advance. If you are a group for not much more you can get a nice Mercedes taxi and be picked up at the airport. See www.greecetravel.com/taxi and ask what George charges.
Paxos You can book holidays on Paxos through Aegean Thesaurus Travel.
Zakynthos
(Zante) For hotels on Zakynthos see www.hotelsofgreece.com |
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