ithaca greece holidays

Back to my student days! Imagine a buccaneer’s life as you explore the island’s coastal nooks in a hired boat; enjoy the panoramic views from Kathara Monastery and wander round the restored Byzantine church and Anoghi’s prehistoric menhirs (standing stones): all this and more is possible in Ithaca.While opinion amongst academics is divided, any local will tell you unequivocally that Homer is describing their island in Like many Greek islands, Ithaca encourages you to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Strict building regulations have ensured that new building is in harmony with the Ionian style. Although much of the island was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1953, there are ancient treasures hidden away to help bring Ithaca’s history to life. Would any of the ancient magic be left?I flew from Gatwick with easyJet, direct to neighbouring Ithaca is just 18 miles from top to tail and although it offers various Odysseus-themed attractions – a cave, a spring, the ruins of a castle – there’s no point rushing to any of them. We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and to analyze site traffic. "Nestled in the Ionian Sea between Kefalonia and mainland Greece, Ithaca is a place to take safe refuge from the bustle of the 21st century and enjoy a slower, more traditional way of life. On the other side of the hill you’ll climb down to a lovely pebbly beach and if you make the journey early enough, you will have it entirely to yourself. Rooms are attractive, breakfasts outstanding… I’d certainly recommend it.The best thing to do in Ithaca is to walk or hike, and on my first morning I set out for the Gedaki beach on the far side of the town.

Greece is still great for budget travellers but for this personal odyssey I’d decided to push the boat out. Paleochora - A walk through the ruins of the old medieval capital of Ithaca will bring back the memory of the past, when the city was full of life, before its inhabitants abandoned it to move towards the coasts of the island. Absorb these moments as they happen, then replay them in your daydreams.The local cuisine offers a typically Greek combination of simple flavours, home-grown produce and fruits of the sea to create one of the world’s healthiest diets – food that’s easily enjoyed from the terrace of your villa with a view to die for and skin still warm from the sun. Its lofty position offers panoramic views over the island’s northern reaches, although today, the ruined buildings recall the devastation of the 1953 earthquake.Delight in the beautiful vistas on the road up Mount Neritos then admire the even more spectacular view over Vathy Bay from the bell  tower at Kathara Monastery.

To help you unwind in style, we offer a selection of handpicked * Prices include seven nights’ accommodation, flights and transfers/car hire, based on the lowest rate for maximum occupancy. There are other bays, more challenging hikes, more villages to discover, more churches and monasteries, an atmosphere to soak up. Please call us for other requests. Getting started with a dream holiday in Greece. This was once ‘The Apolafsis’ (meaning enjoyment), the island’s first hotel and apparently a rest stop for Sophia Loren and Winston Churchill.You’ll need a guide to help you discover the path to Spilliotissa, a cave in the south of the island that houses a tiny church with a full-sized bell. Inactive airports indicate no flights available to selected destination Apart from its mythical essence, though, Ithaka Greece boasts an … region-id="menu-13"; Karystos. I stripped off and swam with just a couple of fishing boats chugging past and, in the distance, the hills of Kefalonia no more than paint strokes on the horizon.In the afternoon I visited the semi-deserted village of Anogi and looked into its small, atmospheric church to see the Byzantine frescoes. Please call us for other requests. Old style Greek buildings are prevalent and are a common sight in many of the resorts, and with a … image/svg+xml shutterstock_584947378 (1) Created with Sketch. Even more memorable was when he carried an oar into the hills, “to the land that knows nothing of the sea”. Explore Telegraph Travel's selection of holidays in Greece Greece holidays View all holidays. And next time I’ll carry an oar.We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism.We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future.To watch The Telegraph's latest video content please visit