|
The Ionian Islands
lie off the west coast of mainland
Greece. Comparatively isolated from
each other in the past, each of the six
islands has developed differently.
Corfu
Corfu
(Kerkira)
is the northernmost island of western
Greece. Its natural beauty has led to a
degree of commercialization. The
capital, also called Corfu, has two
small harbors with large Venetian
fortresses. With Italian, French and
English influences evident in its
architecture, Corfu is a typical Ionian
island town. It is made up of wide
avenues and large squares, among them
the graceful Spianada or
esplanade, cobbled alleyways, arches
and colonnades. Recommended sights are
the Archaeological Museum, which
houses finds from local archaeological
excavations; the Museum of
Asiatic Art; the Town Hall,
a splendid example of Venetian
architecture (built in 1663); the
12th-century Byzantine Church of St
Jason and Sosipater and the Church
of St Spyridon. Good roads lead out
of Corfu town to excellent harbors
suitable for swimming and fishing, such
as Roda, Kassiopi and Douloura,
and to traditional inland villages such
as Ano Korakiana, Ano Garouna,
Doukades, Agii Douli and Pelekas
where, from the top of its rocky
hill, the sunset can be superb. In the
region of Pelekas lies Ropa Valley
(Livaditou Ropa), with its excellent Corfu
Golf Club. On the western side of
the island the roads thread their way
through olive and orange groves, pine
trees and cypresses. Resorts on Corfu
include Kanoni, where
a narrow causeway leads to the
Monastery of Vlaherni; Perama;
Benitses; Moraitika; Messongi; Dassia;
Gouvia; Gastouri and the museum
palace The Achilleion, partly
converted into a casino; Ipsos
and Paleokastritsa.
Paxi
Paxi,
as yet undeveloped, is the smallest of
the Ionians and has quiet sandy
beaches, bays, rocky promontories and
caves. Dense grapevines and olive
groves cover the island. The main
resort is Gaios (or Paxi), on
the east coast. Excursions can be made
to Andipaxi, a tiny island 5km
(3 miles) to the south of Paxi.
Lefkas
Lefkas
(Lefkada),
joined by a narrow strip of land to the
Greek mainland, is a green and fertile
island which is surrounded by many
islets. Excursions, involving some
mountain climbing, can be made in the
centre of Levkas, near the Stavrota
Mountain. There is good swimming
and fishing in the villages of Agios
Nikitas on the northwestern
coast, Ligia on the southeastern
coast or Vassiliki (which is
also popular with windsurfers) on the
southwestern coast.
Cephalonia
Cephalonia
(Kefalonia)
has beaches at Makri and Plati,
Yialos, Skala, Fiskardo and
in the Palli district close to the Monastery
of Kepourio. The mountainous
scenery (including the 1600m/5250ft Mount
Enos) is dramatic and the island
has a good network of roads. At Assos
there is a castle and in the
capital, Argostoli, an Archaeological
Museum and Folk Art Museum.
Ithaca
Ithaca (Ithaki)
is close to Cephalonia, and is
well known for being the island home of
the great Odysseus, hero of the Trojan
war. The small and mountainous island
is renowned for its coves. Vathi,
the capital, is small, and its white
houses fan out in a mounting
semi-circle at one end of the bay.
There are beaches at Kioni,
south of Frikes, and from here
there is a road going to Loizos’
cave, where traces of the worship
of Artemis, Hera and Athena have been
found.
Zakynthos
Zakynthos
is the southernmost island in the
Ionian group. Ionian historic
treasures.can be found in the town
museum. In the southeast is the huge
bay of Laganas, where there are
numerous hotels and restaurants and
lively nightlife. There are more sandy
beaches at Argassi, Alikes and
Tsilivi, 3km (2 miles) from the
town of Zante.
|
