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Ithaki, this small island with its great history owes its glamour
to its King Ulysseus and to its priceless natural beauty.
It is synonymous with the feeling of nostalgia and with
the fulfilment of the targets we set in our lives.
It is situated to the east of Chephalonia with a maximum
length of 29 kms and a maximum width of 6.5 kms. Its coastline
is 45 nautical miles. It is 45 nautical miles away from
Patras and 20 nautical miles from Astakos. |
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There
is a boat to Ithaki from Patras twice a day (13:30 and 19:30) and
once (12:40) or twice a day from Astakos.. Also, there
is a boat from Nidri (08:00) and Vassiliki,Lefkas (18:00)
every day and from Chephalonia several times a day.
Ithaki is a green island,full of olive and oak trees.
Morphologically,it is mountainous - with its highest mountain
being Nirito (808 m) - and wild but not without even and
cultivated areas. The coast is full of small or big bays,some
of which are natural ports. Also, there are innumerable
dentelated beaches, whose major characteristic is not
the size but the clear bluegreen sea.
All the roads on Ithaki are asphalted and you can have
access to the beaches. Generally,the distances are short
and you'll be able to approach most of the villages and
even the most far off beaches comfortably.
There are ten villages: Perachori,Saint John,Lefki,Stavros,Exoghi,Anoghi,Platrithias,Frikies,Kioni
and Vathi. |
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The capital
of Ithaki is Vathi,a wonderful natural sport. Once you enter
Vathi,you are fascinated by the natural beauty around you,which
is enhanced by the tiled-roofs of the houses that have been
built around the port or go up the overgrown hills, undoubtedly
creating a tempting picture. This has been the capital of
Ithaki since the 16th century. In Vathi you can visit the
Archaeological Museum, the Folklore Museum, the Homeric Nymphae's
Cave, the Venetian cannons and other archaeological sights
where excavations have been made and there are certain findings.
Such areas are Marmarospilia ,Rachi Pissaetu,Kanonaki,etc.
There are many restaurants, traditional tavernas,banks,a post
office clubs,bars,etc. The center of night life is here in
Vathi.
Perachori
was built on a slope 2,5 kms SW of the town, and it offers
you a beautiful view, a magnificent wood with large oak-trees,
the ruins of the old town since 1400,some roofless churches
with Byzantine frescoes and the Taxiarches'Monastery. Near
the village there are Evmeo's Homeric grassland, Petra koraka,
Arethousa spring and some ruins of the Cyclopean Walls. In
the village the visitor can find homegrown products, such
as honey,cheese,oil and wine.
From Vathi to North Ithaki you can see:
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In Aetos the ruins of the ancient town Alalkomenes (Ulysses'
castle). Saint Jon and Lefki where there are beautiful beaches.
Mountain Nirito and the Monastery of Kathara, which offer
you, a unique view and the chance to see a religious painting
made by El Greco. The Anoghi tableland with the picturesque
village of Anoghi. History is dominant in all those places.
You can also see some impressive massive monoliths, the ruins
of the old village (since 1200) and some wonderful religious
paintings in Virgin Mary's church. Going down to Stavros,you
can visit the Archaeological Museum. In Exoghi you can visit
the Pernarakia Monastery with a panoramic view and the pyramids
. In Platrithias there is Homer's School and Melanydros spring.
In Frikies there is a beautiful small port,you can visit Kioni
with its picturesque port and Saint John's iconostasis.
You can combine your visit to Ithaki with daily cruises to
Chephalonia, Lefkas and other small Ionian islands. There
is a small boat,Mana Korina,which can take you around the
island.
Apart from the many cultural activities that take place during
the summer (Homeric Conferences, Concerts, theatrical pertormamces.
Nautical week, several shows and happenings, meetings, beach
parties, etc.), there are several local festivities. And apart
from the numerous beaches and the picturesque villages which
have their individual character,there are many other places
which are worth visiting.
When
you out on the voyage to Ithaki - Pray that your joumey may
be long -
Full of adventures,full of knowledge.
K. Kavafis
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