The Itinerary

PATRA.
Patra is the third largest city of Greece and gateway to Italy. From here hundreds of cars and thousands of passengers travel to and from Italy and the Dalmatian coast on state of the art ferries. The city of Patra has retained its personality through the ages and it is today one of the most pleasant cities along the coast. Due to its famous university it is inhabited by a large number of people making the sidewalk cafes and waterfront restaurants bustle with activity during the evenings and weekends; among them the Marina restaurant which, although small, offers excellent food. As most of the coastal cities of Greece it starts from the harbor and reaches the top of a hill on which a fortress is built. At the outside walls of the fortress a cafe-restaurant affords panoramic views of the city and its harbor. Patra's proximity to Italy and its occupation by the Venetians in the past, the city has a large population of Greek Catholics. Patra is also famous for its carnival where more than 50.000 people participate and is one of the most famous in Europe.

ZAKINTHOS.(ZANTE)
This is the Southernmost island of the Ionian complex. It owes its name to Dardanos the king of Troy who built the first city here. The island is also mentioned in Homer's Iliad. The Venetians called it 'the flower of the Orient' due to its numerous fragrant plants and groves. The island exudes an ambience of cultured and affluent past with imposing buildings, wide streets, spacious squares and quaint houses. The waters around the island are blue green and the coastline alternates between grottos and endless beaches. The island is also the home of the endangered sea turtle Caretta-Caretta.

CEFALONIA (Poros).
The village of Poros is on the South east side of the island, typical Ionian with its taverns selling fresh fish.
Fiskardo, a town which has kept its color and personality through the centuries is the northernmost port of Cephalonia. The town is surrounded by a thick cypress glade; the red tiled roofs of the buildings complete a beautiful setting.

LEFKADA.
Folkloric tales of antiquity tell speak of Lefkada being joined to the mainland and that either the Leleges ( ancient inhabitants of the island) or the Corinthians dug a trench across the narrowest part for fortification, turning the mass of land into an island. Lefkada is a mountainous island, covered with dense vegetation to the east and south while the eastern coast slopes gently to the sea, sheltered from the wind and dotted with thickly wooded islets. Most famous of these is Skorpios the privately owned island of Greek tycoon Aristotle Onasis. The west coast is steep with a few pine trees and lined with spectacular stretches of long sandy beaches. Lefkada is also the name of the capital of the island, Nidri is the most popular holiday resort. Near Aghios Nikitas is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches of the island.

PREVEZA.
A city of Western Greece in the south of Epirus, Preveza is situated opposite the Ionian islands at the entrance of the gulf of Amvrakikos where the Louros river flows. The entire area is a designated eco-park. It has clean and clear beaches and within a relatively short drive one can reach the mountains for kayaking in the river. Noted for its smoked trout and eels.

MEGANISI.
According to historians this little island off the coast of Lefkada has been inhabited since Homer's time. It lies 12 miles southeast of Lefkada, has three villages, sea caves, wonderful beaches and, of course, clean waters.

ITHACA.
Ithaca is the home of Homer's legendary hero, Odysseus. A small mountainous island with captivating coves is separated from the island of Cefalonia by a channel from 1.5 to 3 miles wide. The capital and largest town is Ithaki ( known as Ithaca to the western world) Its red roofed houses are set amidst enchanting scenery at the end of a deep closed bay called Molos. Excavations have revealed settlements from the Bronze Age. Ithaca offers lovely beaches for bathing and caves for exploring.

SAMI (Cefalonia).
Sami is on the East side of the island and is the largest and most popular town. It is built in the small corner of a wide bay sheltered from the wind. To the north of Sami are other interesting villages such as Aghia Efimia with a pebble beach and Karavomilos.