Article courtesy of Greek national tourism organisation tourism office in Sofia, Bulgaria

Where the sky is blue and the history rich

The archipelago of 11 islands large and small strung out along the west coast of mainland Greece is known as the Ionian Islands. The six large ones are Zakynthos, Ithaka, Corfu, Cephalonia, Lefkada and Paxoi, the small ones being Antipaxoi, Ereikousa, Mathraki, Othonoi, Meganisi and the cluster of uninhabited islets to the south of Zakynthos, the Strofades. Together with Kythera, which is cut off from the rest, opposite the southern Peloponnese and the shores of Lakonia, as well as neighbouring Antikythera, they constitute the Heptanese.

The historic past of the Ionian Islands, known to us from the lines of Homer’s Odyssey, goes back millennia. Ithaka was home to the cunning King Odysseus, some of whose adventures took place in the Ionian Sea, while Corfu (ancient Corcyra) is identified with the Homeric island of the Phaeacians. Important landmarks in the history of the Heptanese are their colonisation by Peloponnesians and Euboeans in the mid-eighth century BCE; involvement in the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta (431-404 BCE); subjugation by the Romans in 197 BCE; Venetian occupation (1204-1797); Septinsular Republic (1800-1807); French occupation (1807-1814); British Protectorate (1814-1864); union with Greece (1864).

These islands, totalling 2200 sq km in area, with their wonderful natural environment, abundant water, fascinating towns and villages, mild climate, inviting bays and beaches, crystal-clear seas, and archaeological sites, are set like jewels in the vast blue Ionian Sea. Their ease of access, modern tourist infrastructure, diverse cultural and folklore events, facilities for sport and entertainment, cosmopolitan ambience and warm-hearted inhabitants complete their attraction.

Corfu
Corfu, which is identified as the Homeric island of the Phaeacians, Odysseus’ penultimate stop on his voyage home to Ithaca (Odyssey vi), is one of the best-known and most highly developed tourist islands in the Mediterranean. Its combination of a cosmopolitan character and couleur locale, its aristocratic town and picturesque villages are the principal poles of attraction for visitors.

The northernmost of the Ionian Islands, Corfu, is 611 sq km in area and has 200km of coastline. Its terrain is fertile, with lush vegetation and lots of water, vast olive groves, vineyards, pine forests, orchards of fruit trees and vegetable gardens. The geomorphology of the coastline varies. Steep, rocky cliffs on the west and gentle shores on east and north, ending in tranquil bays in which the greenery of the land is reflected in the limpid waters of the Ionian Sea.

Human habitation can be traced back to the Palaeolithic Age but the island enjoyed a particular heyday in the eighth century BCE and was enhanced as a great maritime and mercantile power later. During the Peloponnesian War it allied with the Athenians but later came under Spartan influence. From 229 BCE to AD 337 Corcyra was occupied by the Romans. In 1537 it suffered a devastating attack by Barbarossa. In more recent times the island experienced many conquerors (Venetians, Russians, Ottomans, French, British, Italians), which fact largely explains the diversity of its monuments, witnesses to the long and troubled course of the island’s history. On May 21 1864, Corfu was united with Greece, along with the other Ionian Islands, while during World War 2 the town of Corfu was badly damaged by incendiary bombs.

Corfu (also spelt Korfu) has a splendid cultural tradition, particularly in the arts and letters, which continue to be cultivated to this day.

How to get there
- By plane from Athens and Thessaloniki.
Information: OAAthens, tel: +30 80111 44444, +30 210 96 66666
OA Thessaloniki, tel: +30 23103 68311, +30 23103 68666
OA Corfu, tel: +30 26610 38694/5
Aegean Airlines Athens, tel: +30 21099 88300, +30 80111 20000
Aegean Airlines Corfu, tel: +30 26610 27100.
- By boat from Patras, Igoumenitsa, Sayada Thesprotia and Italy, for the town of Corfu, and from Igoumenitsa for Lefkimmi.
Information: Patras Port Authority, tel: +30 26103 41002, +30 26103 41470/1
Igoumenitsa Harbour Authority, tel: +30 26650 99460
Sayada Customs Station, tel:  +30 26640 51217.
- By intercity bus from Athens, tel: +30 21051 29443 and Thessaloniki tel: +30 23105 95409.

Paxi
This is the smallest large island in the Ionian Sea, just 25 sq km in area, with a coastline of 46km. It lies seven km south of Corfu and its history is closely linked with that of its neighbour. Indeed, according to one myth, the two islands were originally joined together and rent asunder by a blow from the trident of the sea god Poseidon.

The whole island of Paxi (also spelt Paxoi; also referred to as Paxos) is a delightful microcosm that gives the impression of an endless olive grove alongside which are beautiful villages and beaches. In 2004, it was declared Cultural Village of Europe.

Lefkada
You do not have to travel by boat to Lefkada. It can be reached easily by motor vehicle by crossing the two small bridges over the channel that separates it from the opposite coast of central Greece.

The island is 295 sq km in area and has 117km of coastline. Its terrain is mainly mountainous, with Elati as the highest peak (118 m), a few plains, dense vegetation cover in the eastern and southern parts. The east coast rolls gently to the sea and is sheltered and bordered by verdant islets. In contrast, the west coast is steep and forms small coves with golden sands. The lagoon just outside the town is an important wetlands habitat with rare fauna and flora.

The island was settled in the Neolithic Age; the first inhabitants were Lelegians. At that time it was part of central Greece, but tradition has it that the Corinthian colonists who founded the city of Leukas in the sixth century BCE cut through the isthmus that linked the peninsula with the mainland.

During the Peloponnesian War, Leukas supported the Corinthians. Later it was subjugated by the kingdom of Macedon and subsequently became a Roman province (197 BCE). In Byzantine times it fell into decline and after the sack of Constantinople by the Franks (1204) it became part of the Despotate of Epirus. It subsequently came under the rule of the Ottoman Turks until 1684. It was united with Greece in 1864.

How to get there
By plane from Athens and Thessaloniki, at Aktion Airport.
Information: OAAthens, tel: +30 80111 44444, +30 210 96 66666
OA Thessaloniki, tel: +30 23103 68311, +30 23103 68666
OA Lefkada, tel: +30 26450 22881.

Kefalonia
Generously endowed by nature, a place with rare geological phenomena, mysterious caves, interesting subsoil, therapeutic springs and subterranean water, with superb beaches, traditional villages and rich archaeological finds, Kefalonia (also spelt Cephalonia) is an island of unique experiences. In 2001 John Madden shot the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin on location in Kefalonia. The largest island in the Ionian Sea at 786 sq km and with 254km of coastline, Kefalonia lies opposite the west coast of the Peloponnese. To its north-east is Ithaca, from which it is separated by a narrow sound, the Straits of Ithaca. The two islands comprise the prefecture of Kefalonia.

Its terrain is basically mountainous with Ainos, a national forest park, as its highest peak in the south-west (1628 m). The island essentially comprises four interconnected peninsulas and has a highly indented coastline with deep bays. The rich woodlands and the extensive vineyards that produced the delicious Kefalonian wine have been renowned since Antiquity. The Kefalonians have the reputation of being the most-travelled Greeks, since for centuries they have been ploughing the seas as mariners and merchants, or voyaging as migrants to all corners of the earth. The island also has a flourishing tradition in arts and letters, boasting a number of eminent creative spirits.

Its name is possibly due to the mythical king Kephalos, while the first mention of the name of the “Kefallanians” is in Homer. The island was first inhabited in prehistoric times and in about the sixth century BCE it was divided into four kingdoms, which went to war with one another: Krane, Same, Pronnoi and Pale. By the time the Romans gained power in Greece, Kefalonia became a Roman province, while during the Byzantine Age it was plundered repeatedly by pirates. The pillage continued throughout the 11th and 12th centuries at the hands of the Normans and the Crusaders. Kefalonia was subsequently conquered by the Ottomans, the Venetians and the French. Then came the period of the Septinsular Republic, under the suzerainty of the Sublime Porte, and not long after of British rule. It was finally united with Greece in 1864.

Ithaca
An island known worldwide from Homer’s Odyssey, a mythical and symbolic place, the desired homeland of return for King Odysseus and his companions.

Ithaca (also spelt Ithaka) covers an area of 96 sq km, has a coastline 101km long and lies two nautical miles east of Kefalonia. Its western part is mountainous and treeless, with precipitous coastal cliffs, whereas the east has rich vegetation and slopes gently to the sea. Myth has it that the island, inhabited by man since prehistoric times, is named after Ithakos, son of Poseidon and Amphimile. During the Mycenaean period it acquired great power, as is attested by the Homeric epics (Iliad and Odyssey). Nevertheless, despite archaeological investigations, the Homeric capital of Odysseus and his palace have not been found, possibly because of the catastrophic earthquakes that have struck the region many times since time immemorial. An important turning point in Ithaca’s history was its capture by the Normans and later by the Orsini family (12th century). During the ensuing centuries its fate was the same as those of the other Ionian Islands.

Zakynthos
The Venetians’ Fiori di Levante (flower of the East), Zakynthos (or Zante) is known not only for its natural beauty but also for the turtle Caretta caretta.

Myth has it that the island was named after the first founder-hero, the Arkadian Zakynthos. It enjoyed a great heyday during the Classical period, but because of its strategic position was attacked many times and captured successively by the Macedonians and the Romans.

In the Byzantine Age it was plagued by pirates; afterwards came the Venetian occupation; in later times its fortunes followed those of the other Ionian Islands, until their union with Greece in 1864.

Zakynthos covers an area of 406 sq km; its coastline is 123km. On the east side of the island the vegetation is luxuriant and there are tracts of plain, whereas the west part is mountainous. The east coast is smooth and sandy, whereas the west is steep and rocky.