Ithaca: Greece’s Best-Kept Secret Revealed – Delve into Mythology and Tranquility on this Enchanting Island
Ithaca: The Mythical Home
Anyone who has read The Odyssey and knows about the adventures of Ulysses, the Greek hero who challenged the gods, will remember the mythical home he missed so much: Ithaca, the Greek island in the Ionian Sea that the Homeric traveler feared he would never find again. never.
As he sails closer to its shores, the silhouette of the land becomes more and more clear on the horizon. One realizes that it is not a place where only very old books with wise words are found. Far from it: the rock, the wind-caressed Mediterranean plants, the seagulls’ calls that cut through the salty air, and the white, quiet villages that dot the beautiful island of Ithaca are more real than ever.
The Charms of Ithaca
Ithaca is a 96-square-kilometer island that floats on a carpet of azure water. It is surrounded by rugged and unspoiled bays and coves. The island is a rock with interesting points that stick out, shaped by the wind. Exogi is in the west, Melissa is in the north, Mavronos and Agios stick out into the sea east of Ithaca, and Cape Agiou Andreou is in the south. There are many inlets and gulfs that cut into the beautiful coast. The Strait of Ithaca opens on the western side of the island, and the capital, Vathy, is on one of the largest natural bays in the world.
A Journey Through Time
The island’s persuasive charm is a gift that has been given to it over time. It goes beyond its natural beauty and paradisiacal environment; it is a deep charm made up of myths and old stories, as well as the fact that many ships have touched it and many feet have traveled it. The first people lived on the island around 2000 BC. During the time of the Mycenaeans, it was the capital of Kefalonia. The Romans took over the island in the 2nd century BC, and it later became a part of the Byzantine Empire. Ithaca was ruled by the Normans, the Turks, and the Venetians. After that, France and the United Kingdom fought over it until Greece took it back in 1864.
A Popular Tourist Spot
In 1953, however, a terrible earthquake hit the island out of the blue and destroyed most of the buildings. Now that it’s been fixed up, it’s a well-loved and popular tourist spot. People who live in the nearby Ionian Islands come here for short or long stays in the summer, but also for day trips. After Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana chose Ithaca for their honeymoon, there was a lot more interest in the area.
Exploring the Island
The landscape is definitely the best thing to see, while the historical and artistic sites are pushed to the background by the beautiful surroundings. But this doesn’t mean that There is nothing culturally interesting in Ithaca. You can take a relaxing walk along the two marinas of Kloni and Frikes, as well as in the quiet and beautiful center of the Stavros resort.
Delicious Greek Cuisine
To go to Vathy, the island’s capital, which is near the ruins of a beautiful old church and the interesting Cave of the Nymphs. Here, as in the other villages of Ithaca, you can taste the simple, real flavors of Greek food, which has been made the same way for hundreds of years using ingredients from the Mediterranean. The main dish is fish, especially prawns and squid, but koriatiche, the tasty Greek salads made with tomatoes, peppers, feta cheese, olives, cucumbers, and onions, is also delicious.
To try the souvlaki, which is grilled lamb on skewers, and the tzatziki sauce, which is a tasty yogurt and cucumber cream that goes with many dishes. Even the desserts, which are made with almonds and honey, are tasty, and everything goes well with the tasty wines that the local vineyards have to offer.
Breathtaking Beaches
But Ithaca’s most valuable treasures are its beaches. Among the most beautiful are Agios Ioannis, Pisso Aetos, and Polis, which all have clear waters and rich seabeds. People who don’t like lying in the sun can stay active by diving, sailing, fishing, or windsurfing on the water, or they can go inland for long walks or rides.
A Perfect Blend of Peace and Fun
People who like peace but don’t want to give up fun will find a lot to do in Ithaca. Events happen all year long on the island and give visitors a chance to learn more about local customs. The main events are the Feast of St. Basil in early January, Independence Day in April, the Feast of St. Nikolas on December 6, and Epithapios, the celebration of the Easter season.
Idyllic Mediterranean Climate
All of this is surrounded by a beautiful Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, but windy summers and mild, wet winters. Temperatures drop to 2°C in the winter and can reach 38°C in the summer. Kefalonia’s Argostoli airport is close to Ithaca, but it is easier to leave from Brindisi and reach Ithaca by sea, stopping at Kefalonia’s Sami and then taking a local ferry from there.
