getting around ithaca |
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| click on thumbnails to enlarge | ||
| vathy town | ||
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Panoramic view of Ithaca’s capital town (Vathy) from the Nunnery of Kathara. The Nunnery is built at the highest accessible point of the island and except of the obvious breathtaking views; you can see a very well kept church with the famous picture of the Virgin Mary (Kathariotisa). The picture is named from the word “Kathara” meaning cleansing with fire. It’s been believed that this picture was found by a Sheppard that was burning bushes in order to clean his land. | |
| aghios ioannis beach | ||
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Aghios Ioannis beach is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches accessible by road in Ihtaca. It’s located in the mid west part of the island opposite Kefalonia and just beneath the village of Lefki on the way to the North of the island, just next on the deserted village of Aghios Ioannis. This pebbly beach is very clean with deep cold waters and is very probable that you might find your self swimming along with a seal, since it’s in the protected triangle of the “Monachus – monachus” sea park! | |
| deftera kourvoulia | ||
| This is one of the three beaches that you can access directly from the road between Frikes and Kioni villages. It’s name is Deftera Kourvoulia and although is very small, it’s very popular between the people staying in the North. | ||
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| exhoghi village - church | ||
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This beautiful church is on the top of the beautiful village of Exoghi. This village still keeps the color of the past years and although is almost uninhabited you can still feel the old times and the old ways!!! Exoghi village is just a five minute drive from Stavros village on the road to Platrithia. | |
| exhoghi village - view to afales bay | ||
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View from Exhoghi village to Afales bay. This bay is located on the North of the island looking at the channel of Lefkas. Afales bay is full of small coves and hidden beaches that can be explored and accessed through the main beach of Afales. At the far right is located the famous beach of “Platy Ammos” of “Lady Di’s beach” since it was the favourite beach of the famous late Dianna beach. |  |
| The clarity and colors of the waters is breathtaking and it’s accessible only by boat from Frikes village since on top of it there is a fearsome vertical cliff (Kathisma) of hundred and fifty meters. Right next to it there are some very interesting caves that can be explored. | ||
| filiatro beach | ||
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Filiatro beach is the most accessible close beach of Vathy town. The road leading to it is about 2km. and is going through the southeast end of the town up the hill of “Kanelata”. This is a pebble beach that you can also find umbrellas, chez longs, pedallo’s , a small canteen with music and some basic dishes. The waters are beautiful and clean and within a couple of minutes swim you can access the near by beach of “Ammos tis Marias”. You have to be prepared though that this is probably the most crowded beach of the island. |
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| frikes village | ||
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Frikes village is a beautiful small fishing village at the north east end of the island 3km. from Stavros Village and 5 km. before Kioni village. In the summer you can eat by the sea, fresh fishes brought in the same morning from the local fishermen. You can also find accommodation, coffee shops and super markets. Frikes is also the port of the north of Ithaca (ferry to Kefalonia and Lefkas), and of many sailing boats. |
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| architecture in ithaca | ||
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General pictures of Ithaca’s architecture. A mixture, of Italian and contemporary western, style. Nowhere else in the Ionian, except from Corfu, you can find preserved in such impeccable condition, the original traditional color of the local architecture. |  |
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| kioni village | ||
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Kioni village is the most famous place in Ithaca. Located at the end of the road at the north east end of the island. A village intact from the passage of time. In the summer is extremely crowded and full of sailing boats. You can find traditional food, coffee shops, mini markets, and plenty of accommodation. The nights are cosmopolitan and very interesting. Lot’s of famous people can be found there and quite a few of cultural events are taking place. |
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| sarakiniko beach | ||
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Sarakiniko beach is just a minute drive on the right of Filiatro beach. Although these two beaches are in such proximity, Sarakiniko is completely different. It’s a beach far less famous since is full of fishing boats and small holiday boats. There you can get the local feeling of life and you might even get a fisherman to let you in, in some of their famous stories. |  |
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| vathy town | ||
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Vathy town is the capital of the island. It’s a beautiful traditional town built in a panoramic way at the hill sides of the souring mountains. Its permanent population is about three thousand people but in the summer it can get up to ten thousand. You can find plenty of accommodation from a simple house to a five star hotel and villas with private pools. It’s got very cosmopolitan flair and is the first port of the Ionian in private boats arrivals. Seeing Madonna jogging next to you in the coastal road is not an unusual sight! Bars, coffee shops, restaurants, taverns, clubs, e.t.c can all be found there. The talk of the town is the evening drink at the coastal road of the town just opposite the ships quay. Vathy is the main port of Ithaca and anything a guest might need will can be found there. |
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| Lots of cultural events like concerts and theatrical plays are taking place during the summer and an art gallery, a naval museum and an archaeological museum can be visited. An afternoon wandering around the small narrow back streets of Vathy is definitely recommended. | ||
| minimata beach | ||
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Minimata beach: is a small clean, full of greenery, beach just a couple of km. from Vathy towards the end of the coastal road. Is accessible by asphalt road and is recommended for an afternoon quick swim. | |
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Excursions |
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round of Ithaca |
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