A Godly view on Cephalonia

Photo – Villa Artemis

Zeus, the “big cheese” God, was God of the Sky & Thunder. In Greek mythology he was named as Dias the “Divine King”. It is said that when he created the world he threw his last remaining building stones into the seas of Cephalonia and that one of these stones became what is now the tiny island of Dias Rock. The island is home to a 500 year old chapel, which was built on the remains of the ancient temple of Thios.

A mix of history and mythology tells us that a sanctuary for priests once existed at the top of Mount Aenos and that sacrifices were made whenever they saw smoke rising from the altar sacrifices at the temple of Thios.

Villa Artemis overlooks Dias Rock and has views across the sea to Zakynthos.

Hire a boat from nearby Makris Yalos beach, tie up at Dias Rock and climb the 100 steps to visit the chapel of Panayia Diotissa. On 2nd July there is a festival to honour Saint Diotissa and the villagers of Pessada, who own Dias Rock, go across to celebrate.

Discover the Real Ithaca

Ithaca is an island which will appeal to those wanting to escape a busy, noisy lifestyle. But will there be enough to occupy the wound-up mind, which sometimes needs more than a week to jettison unwanted pressures and can refuse to sit happily with simple and peaceful island distractions?

Recharging batteries is important and the small ports of Kioni and Frikes are perfect sleepy venues to do little but gaze at fishermen cleaning their nets. Island exploration however, will introduce many more natural delights to help the mind forget home based anxieties.

Hiring a boat (with outboard engine) is a great way to find a deserted beach and explore a beautiful coastline with just the company of seabirds. Pack a picnic or moor up alongside one of Kioni or Frikes’ waterfront tavernas for lunch.

Hiring a car will provide easy access to many parts of Ithaca but the more hidden parts are more difficult to find.

Katrina Parsey is our Ionian Villas agent on Ithaca. Katrina is a poet, storyteller and walker. With a few winter breaks back in UK as an actress, theatre director, writer and teacher, Katrina has spent the last 12 years on Ithaca. Over these years she has discovered a variety of walking trails and now leads daily walks (when the weather is not too hot) to introduce Ithaca’s more inquisitive visitor to the island’s people, history, mythology, flora, fauna and hidden landscapes.

Katrina says “Join me on a cultural walk exploring the sites and stories of Odysseus and Penelope. Or come along to the Folklore Walk, taste local wine, cheese, oil and olives on an ancient land. See the old olive press and wheat mill at Agrotiri. Walk along shepherds’ trails and discover the past and present of Ithaca’s farming culture.”

Leave your worries on the doorstep and discover an island which many have heard of but few visited.

Back-packing / Island Hopping Nostalgia

Photo – Greek island travel at sunriseIf, like me, you know what PJ Proby looked like and you owned at least one pair of flared loons, you most probably visited a series of Greek islands when you were in your late teens/early twenty’s.

Ferries were cheap and ubiquitous. A few hundred Drachma would pay for a waterfront room and a plate of lemony squid and a crunchy salad. A carefree attitude, a simple local lifestyle and a sense of intrepidity (no job to go back to) often meant catching another ferry to another island on a spur of the moment whim.

Then one gets older. A family happens. A job constricts. Comfort becomes more important. The cost of living in Euro Greece becomes higher. One is more trepid in travel planning.

My wife and I have Ionian island hopped on many occasions over many years. The travel and accommodation has varied but connections have been convenient and memories of the travel have always been good. When escaping from a stressful lifestyle it might seem best to stay in one holiday place but to experience two or more islands during one holiday can be uplifting and more memorable. It also makes a holiday seem longer than it is – two experiences are better than just the one.

Even if you only have one week for a holiday it would be possible to combine a few days on Paxos and AntiPaxos; Paxos and Corfu; Paxos and Lefkas; Corfu and Lefkas; Lefkas and Cephalonia; Lefkas and Ithaca; Cephalonia and Ithaca – but a week on each would be better.

At Ionian Villas we can arrange comfortable accommodation for your island hopping experience and we can help tailor-make your itinerary. There are different travel options for each island combination – call us on 01903 717874 to see if something appeals. Try something different this year!

© 2018 Ionian Villas Limited

Call us on: +44 (0) 1243 820928    ..or email enquiries@ionian-villas.co.uk

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