The Ionians rise out of sparkling blue waters - islands scattered with tiny, colourful villages nestling on the slopes of hills clad in olive and cypress.

During spring and autumn the temperature in the Ionian is similar to a bright summer's day in Northern Europe. In high summer it gets considerably hotter - but the sea breezes ensure that, even then, you remain comfortable. The sea is warm enough to swim in throughout the season.

The prevailing winds are north-westerly, but vary from island to island and even bay to bay. Winds are usually just the right strength for a pleasant afternoon sail, but can occasionally reach Force 5 or 6 - which gives keen sailors a chance to put the yacht though its paces, whilst the less energetic can relax in one of the many ports of safe anchorages.

The whole area simply oozes historic atmosphere. It's the setting of Homer's Iliad, while numerous forts and other ruins bear witness to centuries of domination by Venice.

» Ionian Sea in Wikipedia

IONIAN ISLANDS

The Ionian Islands are known for their beautiful beaches, their charming villages and their verdant landscapes. They are quite different from those of the Aegean. To start with, high rainfall in the winter ensures the hills remain green and fresh all year round. The waters are clean and clear.

Lefkas
The island of Lefkas, Lefkada or Lefkhada lies off the mainland west coast in the middle of the Ionian chain of Greek islands. It is so close to the mainland that it only just qualifies as an island. Lefkas means 'white' and the island's white rock makes its cliffs attractive but its roads and quarries little more than ugly scars. Otherwise, Lefkas is an astonishingly beautiful island with quiet country villages and wild, empty beaches along the west coast.

Meganisi
Meganissi is a spectacular tiny island very close to Lefkada. It is very green, with crystal clear waters, simple, ideal for romance, honeymooners or for those who wish to get away from it all. There are interesting and beautiful caves, Papanikolis is one of them, named after submarine sheltered during World War II.

Ithaki
Ithaki or Ithaca has been known for centuries as the home of Odysseus. Its villages who have been virtually unspoiled from modernism, Kioni and Frikes are the most wonderful stopping places. Ithaki is also filled with many beautiful beaches for you to swim or simply relax and gaze into the clear and beautiful sea horizon.

Kastos
Kastos is a low-lying, long and narrow little island covered in olive trees and at which dozens of boats sailing over the Ionian Sea moor safely each day. It is also an excellent place for fishing. It has only fifty permanent residents, which rises to 500 in the summer when friends and relatives gather here. The island's west coast is rugged, whilst the east coast has many small beaches, which can be accessed from land or the sea. These are Ambelakia and Fyki in the south, Vali, Koilada, Ayios Aimilianos, Limni, Kamini and Vrisidi.

Kalamos
Kalamos is not a conventional island. It is a tall mountain range which floats on the sea, its northern side overgrowing with towering, thick pine trees. It is obvious to even the non-specialist visitor that these pines are of a special species. Even at the first sight from a distance, then, Kalamos captivates with its unusual, wild landscape.

Kefallonia
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands and is a popular destination for discerning travellers. From the haunted rocky climes of the Erisos peninsula in the north of Kefalonia to the citrus and olive groves of the south west agricultural heartland and the huge sandy beaches of the south east coast, Kefalonia is as varied in its environments as it is in its tourism.

» Kefallonia in WikiTravel

Zante
Zante, also often known as Zakynthos, is the most southerly of the Ionian Islands and one of the most popular Greek islands. Triangular in shape Zante island has three distinct geographical areas: the north west is mountainous with quaint traditional mountain villages, the central region is a fertile plain rich with olive groves and vineyards and the south east is characterised by beautiful beaches. There is something for everyone on this floating island of paradise with numerous sandy beaches, mountain villages preserving the traditional Greek way of life, beautiful natural scenery, watersports and good quality restaurants, bars and nightclubs to more than cater for all your entertainment needs.

Paxoi
Paxoi is a green paradise. A cosmopolitan island that marries graphic surrounds with nobility. Paxoi, the smallest Ionian Island, enchants every visitor. Situated 7n.m. south of Corfu and 8n.m. west of the epirotic shores. As all Ionian islands, Paxoi are characterized by dense vegetation and mostly endless vineyards. The natural beauties of Paxoi are a pole of attraction of thousands of visitors. The island is considered one of the most cosmopolitan in our country.

Corfu
Corfu or as it is known locally Kerkyra, is the northernmost Island in the Ionian sea and the westernmost part of Greece. You will find this a most enchanting place, densely covered in olive groves and cypresses trees, whilst fringed by sandy beaches with shingle coves, complete with well equipped tavernas, resturants and tourist facilities. Corfu is perhaps the best known of all the Greek Islands, it is very popular with the Europeans, who flock there in their droves in the summer months to soak up the sun on fantastic beaches and to swim in the crystal clear warm sea.

» Corfu in WikiTravel