Ionian holidays Ithaca
Ithaca, part of the Ionian archipelago, is one of Greece’s most beautiful islands. The mythological tradition of the island being the birthplace of the legendary Odysseus has made it renowned. It, like the other Ionian islands, has a lovely natural environment that is perfect for exploration due to its unique combination of spectacular sea vistas and mountain scenery.
Starting with the lovely capital, Vathy, the gorgeous communities of Ithaca are still typical representations of a traditional region, with two-story colorful homes hugging the harbor. Apart from the contemporary metropolis, the remaining villages have been preserved as original and unspoiled by mass tourist, making them perfect for people wanting complete seclusion.
Ithaca the story
The lovely island of Ithaca is well-known as the home of Odysseus (Ulysses), the hero of Homer’s Odyssey. Penelope, the devoted wife, waits twenty years for her husband to return from the Trojan War in Ithaca.
Despite his long and adventurous journey, Odysseus returns to Ithaca, which became a metaphor of the long and arduous journey of a lifetime and its delights after the Odyssey, a theme wonderfully captured by poet Constantine Cavafy in his excellent poem Ithaka (Ithaki).
The narrative of Ulysses has had such an impact that dramatic adaptations of Homer’s poem are routinely performed at the Municipality’s Theatrical Library. A tiny canal, about 3 kilometers wide, separates this lovely, wooded island from Kefalonia.
The island of Ithaca’s east coast is rough and steep, in stark contrast to the island’s west coast, which is lush and gentle, slowly sloping down to the Ionian Sea. The island’s interior is rugged, with pine woods, cypress trees, olive trees, and vineyards. Enchanting coves complete this lovely terrain, transforming it into a true earthly paradise.
Fortunately, Ithaca has escaped the ravages of mass tourism, owing to the fact that it is a relatively obscure location that does not meet the expectations of tourists hoping for an exciting nightlife and vast packed sandy beaches with sunbeds and umbrellas. That is not the case with Ithaca. It is a serene and lovely location, excellent for individuals seeking leisure, tranquil walks, calm swimming in green seas, little isolated coves bordered by pine and olive trees, and a sense of serenity.
Ithaca, on the other hand, offers a fantastic culture in addition to beautiful beauty. Many important Greek historical figures were born there. Like the rest of the Ionian islands, this island’s culture has been impacted by the Italians, and it has given the Greek mainland a new lease of life.
