Ionian Islands Greece
It wasn't until the eighteenth century that the British arrived, bringing with them, local government, education, civil engineering, cricket and ginger beer; yes - ginger beer! To one degree or another, all of these 'imports' are still in evidence on the islands today. These influences are obvious in Corfu, where you can sit and watch a cricket match on the Spiniada, drink under Parisian style arcades and wander through the town's Venetian style alleyways. Elsewhere in the Ionian islands Greece - in the traditional fishing or mountain villages - you can stroll through central plazas shaded by bougainvilleas and plane trees, or relax under a vine-covered canopy with the soporific scent of jasmine.
Their natural beauty embraces the visitor - the vast olive groves, intriguing mountain-scapes and glistening waters of the Ionian islands Greece offer something for adventure seekers, culture vultures and beach-bums alike. Today, it's the British and Italians who remain the main summer visitors to the Ionian islands Greece, and as such, contributors to the much needed tourist economy. Less tasteful encounters do exist, in the form of invasive, package tourist beach developments, but these can be avoided if you don't want to go there. It's easy enough to get off the beaten track; find your own isolated swimming cove with small beach, wander through olive groves or simply ramble until you come upon an authentic kafeneio (coffee house). Culturally, there are fortresses to explore and Byzantine churches and Homeric sites to visit. Adventure and adrenalin junkies can trek, windsurf, kite-surf, water-ski and scuba dive and of course anyone can try bird watching or golf. A recognisable defining characteristic which sets the Ionian islands Greece apart from the mainland and the other islands scattered around the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, is its climate. A predictable level of annual rainfall has contributed to the success of the now established agricultural industry within this group of islands.
The rain, combined with the temperate climate, has allowed the farmers to develop and nurture olive trees, vineyards and fruits and vegetables stock; some even farm wheat and cereal foods. The Ionian Islands Greece also exhibit similar geographical characteristics; all of them are mountainous with their east coasts (facing the mainland) tending to be softly tumbling hills, above re-claimed farmland. The west coasts (facing the open seas) of the islands on the other hand are rugged, with cliffs that plunge down to depths of 200m toward the sea. Of course, this kind of terrain makes it difficult for the tourists to access it; but it's where the better beaches are located. The 'not-as-good' beaches are located on the 'convenient' east coasts, where developers have take the easy option and concentrated their efforts. With the exception of Corfu's south-west and north coasts, the south coast of Kefallonia, southern Zákynthos and pockets of Lefkádha, most beaches are pebbly, usually shelving into sand.
The two northern islands of Corfu and Paxí, do not have direct links with the southern foursome, apart from an infrequent summer service between the tourist favourites, Corfu and Kefalloniá. There are no services from either Corfu or Paxi to Lefkada. The Peloponnese has two departure ports for the Ionian islands Greece : Patra for ferries to Corfu, Kefallonia and Ithaki; and Kyllini for ferries to Kefallonia and Zakynthos. Epiros has one port, Igoumeitsa, for Corfu (island) and Paxi; and Sterea Ellada has one, Astakos, for Ithaki and Kefallonia (although this service is limited to high season). A useful website is Greek ferries. Note: Prices change on a regular basis, so please use the information as a guide for budgeting purposes perhaps.
Corfu has regular connections with three ports in Italy; namely, Brindisi, Bari and Venice. Services are operated by a small number of ferry companies, sailing between Italy and Igoumenitsa and/or Patra. (Travellers can also sail between Ancona and Igoumenitsa, then transfer to a local ferry). Crossings are most frequent in July and August, but there are year-round services at least weekly between Corfu and Brandisi, Bari and Venice. From Corfu it's also possible to cross to Albania, or to visit on a day trip. Bluestar, Superfast and Agoudimos are the only ferry companies that accept Eurail and Inter-rail passes. All international ferry companies also have special offers and concessions for seniors, families and last minute deals.
It isn't difficult to fall for the Ionian islands Greece, an archipelago which sweeps down the west coast of the mainland and includes Corfu, Ithaki, Kefallonia, Lefkada, Paxi and Zakynthos. Discovering these islands is a alluring odyssey. Their innate beauty captivates the visitor - the vast olive groves, breathtaking mountain-scapes and glistening waters of the Ionian Sea make them totally irresistible.
The satellite islands, such as the Dhiapondia islets off the norht-west Corfu, Meganissi off Lefkada, and even Antipaxi south of Paxi, are becoming more accessible to the more adventurous traveller each year. I would say, give it a try, you are sure to find something heavenly in these Ionian islands Greece. If it's solitude you seek, and who doesn't from time to time, you can find it on the main islands. On Corfu, give consideration to the areas around Korission lagoon or Mount Pandokrator. On Lefkada, aim for the hills around Karya or the south-west coast, especially Athani. You could try the Lixouri peninsular or Assos on Kefallonia. The north-east of Zakynthos is also worth a visit.
Corfu Town has transformed itself in recent years; well worth a stay for a couple of days if nothing else. Lefkada Town has a lively buzz to it, and Argostoli (Kefallonia) retains a spacious charm despite being re-built after it was razed to the ground by the 1953 earthquake. The other island that was dealt a blow by the quake, Zakynthos (Zante) also has a certain class and lovely setting despite the busy traffic. Secondary towns like Lefkimi on Corfu or Lixouri on Kefallonia are even less influenced by tourism and, of course, many mountain villages see hardly any outsiders from year to year. I think it's safe to say that nobody ever comes to islands expecting gourmet Michelin-starred restaurants or Scandinavian plumbing and in all but the smartest accommodation, bathrooms are haphazard, though (almost) never insanitary.
They still generally serve meals lukewarm (but getting better), however, following the Greek nostrum that hot food is bad for the digestive system, and on some of the smaller islands certain vegetables are not that easy to come by. These shortcomings seem almost celebrated by the thousands of us who return regardless, to the islands year after year. One of the reasons they return - beyond some of the finest swimming and water sports in the Mediterranean, the landscape, sunshine and balmy night spent drinking under skies laden with so many stars, it looks as though it might collapse - is the welcome that all but the largest resorts still manage to extend. Despite the pressure of tourism, the islanders remain a disarmingly friendly people, and reserved Europeans (especially the British) are often embarrassed by their astonishing kindness. The traditional quality of of filoxenia, kindness to strangers, survives, and can take the form of anything from a bagful of lemons form someone's garden to a meal, lift or a room for the night. And after decades of handling tourists, most of whom insist on speaking their own language(s), most islanders are genuinely charmed by attempts to speak Greek, even it's just a 'yiasou' or 'kalimera'.  If you can, it's best to avoid the Ionian islands Greece, in late July and August. I realise it's difficult to be able to plan your Ionian island holidays around these times when you have children of school age, but if you can find a way to travel outside of this period, then do. But, if it's just not possible, I would suggest an island where you can benefit from the meltemi winds. July and August is a time when holidaying Greeks and Italians descend en masse, accommodation is scarce as I have already alluded to, and prices soar, along with the temperatures. Greece can be unbelievably hot in these months, and it's not for the faint-hearted. June and September are just as good if you're concerned about having good weather, and who isn't; in fact, recent years have seen a number of fairly unstable high summers, with rainy Augusts followed by stunning Septembers and Octobers. In June, the sea is usually warm enough for swimming to be wonderful and in September it can be as warm as a bath. May, September and October are the best times to visit the islands and you will often get bargain flights and holiday packages, and, though you may risk short spells of inclement weather (never more than a day or two) you will find it glorious for the majority of the time.
In late September and early October you will be blessed with fine weather, warm seas and very few other visitors. The only bad thing you'll experience is the early sunsets, if that can be considered a negative, but you will have leisurely days sunbathing in extremely comfortable conditions. However, do bear in mind that package deals in these low seasons should be carefully considered as some resorts close early, leaving those who are less than resourceful, the opportunity to rent cars or scooters and a very limited choice in food or entertainment. But, if you simply want to crash out, this is the time to do it. If there is anything you would like to ask us regarding the Ionian Islands, Greece, please use the form below to submit your request, and we'll get back to you just as soon as we can.
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