Holidays to Ithaca

Frikes is the smallest of the three and delightfully sleepy, with a lazy, very Greek air. Four tavernas and a café or two front the sea here, which doubles as the mooring place for a line of colourful fishing boats. With the mountain behind, and green hills to either side, Frikes enjoys a very natural, unspoiled setting and offers good walking country.

Kioni is very pretty indeed and some very nice white-pebble beaches can be found within a 15 minute walk. Thankfully, Ithaca having no airport, has not succumbed to over-commercialisation. The horseshoe bay, backed by wooded hills, is lined with neo-classical houses.

There is often a flotilla moored up, and a number of good family-run restaurants and small shops around the harbour. The bay itself has three or four beaches dotted around it. With the hire of a boat it is easy – and fun – to discover others beyond it for yourself.

Vathy is the charming island capital. Built along the sides of a long fjordlike bay, Vathy has some lovely old buildings along its expansive waterfront. There are some good beaches dotted around the peninsula to the east, and in season small water-taxis will take you to and fro.

Scuba diving, snorkeling and sea kayak excursions can be arranged from Vathy by our island representative.

There is a bus service between the three seaside villages but this is limited so car hire would be a good idea for further exploration of the island.

Was Ithaca really the homeland of Odysseus? There are plenty of clues – certain descriptions and places Homer mentions do seem to fit – and it is fun to do a little detective work and see if you agree.