2 WEEK ROUTE. Day 1 SATURDAY SEPT 24 Arrive Corfu and transfer to Gouvia Marina for embarkation. Day 2 SUNDAY SEPT 25 Lefkimi Island of Corfu.

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1 2 WEEK ROUTE Day 1 SATURDAY SEPT 24 Arrive Corfu and transfer to Gouvia Marina for embarkation. Day 2 SUNDAY SEPT 25 Lefkimi Island of Corfu. 12nm

2 Day 3 MONDAY SEPT 26 Syvota Mourtos mainland. 24nm Lakka Island of Paxi. 18nm Day 4 TUESDAY SEPT 27 Day 5 WEDNESDAY SEPT 28 Gaios Island of Paxi. 5nm Day 6 THURSDAY SEPT 29 Parga Mainland. 30nm

3 Day 7 FRIDAY SEPT 30 Preveza 25 nm Day 8 SATURDAY OCT 1 Fiskardo Island of Kefallonia. 32nm Day 9 SUNDAY OCT 2 Kakynthos. 20 nm

4 Day 10 MONDAY OCT3 Vathi island of Ithaki. 40 nm Day 11 TUESDAY OCT 4 Porto Leone Island of kalamos. 17nm Day 12 WEDNESDAY OCT 5 Vathi Island of Meganisi. 15nm

5 Day 13 THURSDAY OCT 6 Nidri Island of Lefkas. 5 nm Day 14 FRIDAY OCT 7 Lefkas Island of Lefkas. 11nm Day 15 SATURDAY OCT 8Disembark and transfer to PREVEZA airport.

6 Every summer, Corfu island attracts thousands of tourists and has become a favorite destination for summer holidays. The historical and religious monuments, the picturesque villages, the beautiful nature and the hospitality of the locals offer memories difficult to forget. Corfu Town is a gem for sightseeing with many monuments from the Medieval times, including the Old Fortress, the New Fortress, Liston Promenade and the Church of Saint Spyridon, protector of the island. Visitors should not miss the quarter of Kanoni, a bit outside Corfu Town, with the nice view to the Mouse Island and the chapel of Panagia Vlacherna. Very impressive sights in Corfu are also the Achilleion Palace, the Monastery of Paleokastritsa and the Fortress of Angelokastro. Source: One day in Corfu: Corfu, Paleokastritsa and Angelokastro Corfu has so many things to do and sites to see that three days of excursions are certainly not enough. On the first day, do not lose time and go to Corfu Town, the capital of the island. This town mostly distinguishes for its architecture that was inspired by the Venetian style: narrow paths with tall houses on the sides, tall buildings

7 with small windows and no balconies, many churches and large squares. Have a strong morning coffee in Spianada, with view to Liston, the cricket court and the Palace of Saints Michael and George, which now houses the Museum of Asian Art. Then, walk around the Old Town and see the elegant mansions. Go to the Old Fortress and climb up to the lighthouse to see the gorgeous view. Then, go to the New Fortress, near the Old Port. If you have time, visit the Archaeological Museum of Corfu, near the tennis court, to see ancient findings from Corfu and Epirus. A must visit is also the Palace of Mon Repos, in Kanoni area, the old royal summer house. A couple of km away from Mon Repos, there is Kanoni, probably the most photographed spot in Corfu. There, you can see the famous church of Panagia Vlacherna and take the short ride to Pontikonisi islet. At noon, go to Paleokastritsa, the most famous and organized tourist resort in Corfu. This is the spot of Corfu with the most hotels and many fishing taverns on the shore. The good thing with Paleokastritsa is the clean water and the nice environment, the bad thing is the always crowded spots. Above the beach, there is a nice monastery dedicated to Virgin Mary and a couple of km away, there is Angelokastro, an impressive medieval fortress. From Paleokastritsa, you can also take the boat to go for an excursion in the close caves and remote beaches. Source: Syvota Mourtos : Most of the people visiting Sivota (previous name: Mourtos), and they are many since Sivota is the most important touristic resort in Thesprotia, stay only near beaches. Nevertheless, the rest of the area is also equally interesting. From the south side of the settlement starts a beautiful route which includes the abandoned Vrachona settlement (Vrachana) and Polineri village (Koutsi).

8 Because the area is full of rural roads most of the route follows them. Hikers' effort is paid back with the beautiful view of Sivota islets and Corfu in the background. The surprise is in Vrachona, where the deserted houses become one with the imposing rocky scenery. The few olive trees, almond trees and the big plane trees are not enough to not soften the dry outline of the plain. After Vrachona, in one km approximately, where a wooden kiosk stands, leave the rural road behind and turn left to Polineri. The scenery changes once you reach the top. From here you can see Plataria plain and its villages built on the slopes. The old path that you follow to go down to Polineri has a big bent but very good marking. The medieval triangular castle distinguishes on the west side of a naturally fortified location which used to be an ancient fortified settlement. In certain points the ancient polygonal walls are still preserved in great height and still impress with their perfection of their construction. Under the castle, in an impenetrable area, lies Lefka cave opened in the limestone rocks of the area. The decoration of the cave is very beautiful and impressive but as no efforts have been done up to now to explore it we suggest to visit only its remarkable entrance. In the village you can find taverns with local meat and agrotourism accommodation. If you have had enough of Sivota beaches we suggest you take the opposite route, having as a base Polineri... Island of Paxi: A sanctuary of love for gods Cultural village of Europe for the year 2004, Paxi (or Paxoi) is the ideal island for a peaceful holiday. Fjord shaped beaches, underwater caves, small bays and green hills welcome the lucky visitors. According to the legend, the island would

9 be the southernmost tip of Corfu, if the God of the Sea, Poseidon, had not broken it off with his trident when he needed a god deserving place to live his love with the Nereid Amphitrite. Gaios Paxi Its capital and main port, Gaios (Gáios), is separated from its natural breakwater, the tiny island of Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas), by a narrow channel, displaying one of the most beautiful port sceneries in Greece. Not to be missed: the Venetian fortress of Agios Nikolaos the English Governor s House the Paxi Museum and the churches and chapels of the area. Visit the picturesque villages of Lóggos, Lákka and Oziás, tucked away in pine and olive trees. In the areas of Oziás, Yaná and Glyfáda, sulphur thermal springs offer an alternative treatment for rheumatics and other health conditions. Innumerable ravishing beaches await the fitter ones as a starting point for scuba diving into underwater caves and shipwrecks, and for top notch windsurfing. It sounds pretty interesting to walk through the vast olive groves inland. In the area of Magaziá, don t forget to drop by the Olive Museum, once a traditional olive press. In the areas of Agia Eleoussa, Vlahopouliátika and Boycática look for the clusters of stone cisterns, carved on the rocks as rainwater collectors. Sure musts : caique sailing around the island exploring the islets around Paxi (Antipaxi)

10 visiting the extraordinary 40 odd sea caves with the majestic domes on the south coast of the island hiking the old trails, among which we suggest the Mousmoúli Porto Oziás and the Manessátika Ypapantí ones. Paxi To host a classical music festival runs in the family of the Ionian Islands, but Paxi take great pride in organising the following two. At the beginning and at the end of summer the island hosts internationally famous Greek and foreigner soloists, whereas in July the traditional festival of Water and Oil is held dedicated to folk music. To fully enjoy the celebration, visitors will sample here bread soaked in water, olives, onions, boiled potatoes and local wine. Parga: Parga is a lovely town in western Greece with vivid island style. Constructed along the slopes of a hill, it is surrounded by lush greenery and blue sea. Lovely two storey mansions with colorful walls are built on the slopes of the hill around the port and create a picturesque atmosphere. On top of the hill above the port are the ruins of an old Venetian Castle. Valtos and Lichnos are the most beautiful beaches in the region. Source: Parga is an excellent traditional village, which is built as an amphitheatre of rare beauty. It is one of the most popular holiday destination. It is built on the fringes of the Enetic castle and it is clearly influenced by the architecture of the Ionian Islands. As one of the most picturesque and cosmopolitan points of northwestern Greece, the beautiful Parga challenges you to acknowledge up close its long history, the varied finds of natural beauty and the hospitality of its residents. The island of Virgin Mary, the narrow stone paved paths, the traditional alleyways, the blossom neighbourhoods and traditional

11 taverns, give their own taste to the magnificent landscape of Parga. Cosy streets, tall and narrow houses attached to each other, lovely beach bars. The beaches of Parga are just magnificent, good for all tastes. Either for exciting water sports or romantic walks at sunset, they surely offer chances for real entertainment. Preveza The Prefecture of Preveza is located approximately halfway along the coast in the Epirus region of Central Greece. Situated on the north cape of the Amvrakikos Gulf is the picturesque city of Preveza, capital of the Prefecture; a region with thousands of years of history, and a landscape of natural beauty. The combination of the Thesprotian mountains, the blue waters of the Ionian sea, and the Louros and Aherontas Rivers make this part of Epirus one of the most inspiring and unique in Greece. Preveza is the capital city and port of the Prefecture and it is a very popular destination for those who truly appreciate nature. Cobblestone paths align the exquisite streets and alleys, creating a peaceful yet lively atmosphere. With the combination of the nature and vegetation and the traditional ouzeries and taverns, a very idyllic environment is created. During summer months, the port of Preveza is full of boats and yachts, while cafes are filled with people. The large quay with the beautiful neoclassical buildings creates the perfect setting for relaxing walks. There are many lovely villages,

12 important archaeological sites, beautiful beaches and other natural sites that one can enjoy while visiting Preveza Prefecture. History of Preveza On the site of Preveza, once lay a town founded in 290 B.C. by king Pyrrhos of Epirus; it was named Berenikia after his mother in law, wife of Egyptian ruler Ptolemy I. In 31 B.C., the battle of Actium (Aktion) took place in the waters south of the town and Octavian founded the town of Nikopolis to commemorate his victory. In the late medieval period, a new town was founded with the name of Preveza, and in 1499 this town passed into the hands of Venice. In 1538 an important battle, the Battle of Preveza, took place near the city, between an Ottoman fleet and that of a Christian alliance assembled by Pope Paul III. One year earlier, a large Ottoman fleet under the command of Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha captured a number of Aegean and Ionian islands belonging to the Republic of Venice, thus annexing the Duchy of Naxos to the Ottoman Empire. In the face of this threat, Pope Paul III assembled a Holy League to confront Barbarossa. The battle ended with the defeat of Venice and the signing of a treaty (1540) according to which the Turks gained control of the formerly Venetian islands in the Aegean, Ionian and eastern Adriatic Seas. In 1684, the Venetians reconquered Preveza until 1699 when it was assigned to the Turks by the peace treaty of Karlowitz. This concluded the Austrian Ottoman War of , in which the Ottoman side was finally defeated at the Battle of Senta. The treaty marked the beginning of the Ottoman decline in Eastern Europe, and the Habsburg Monarchy became the dominant power in Central Europe. The battles among Venice, Austria and the Ottoman Empire continued during the

13 first years of the 18th century. After the defeat of the Ottoman forces at Petrovaradin by the Austrian troops, the Treaty of Passarowitz was signed. According to this, Venice would only keep the Ionian Islands. In 1797, under the Treaty of Campo Formio, the town went to French hands, but in the following year, the French forces were driven out by Ali Pasha of Ioannina. Preveza became part of the New Greek State in 1912 with the rest of Epirus.

14 Kefalonia : The largest island of the Ionian Sea, Kefalonia is a very charming place. Although it has developed over the last years as a family destination, beaches in Kefalonia island never get crowded due to the large size of the island. Mostly famous for the exotic beaches, including Myrtos, Antisamos, Lourdas and Skala, the island was chosen for filming the Hollywood movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Apart from swimming, Kefalonia Greece also has many places to see, from picturesque villages to Medieval castles and beautiful monasteries. Fiscardo is the most cosmopolitan place with a port that receives many yachts every summer. Other nice villages to visit during your Kefalonia holidays are Argostoli, Sami and Assos. Source: Zakynthos: Ionian Island of Zakynthos, also called Zakinthos, Zante, Zacinto, contains: Pictures, history, culture, ecology and much more. The Zakynthos ferryboat timetable and a land map of Zakynthos for print out is included! Find accommodation and plan your holidays on Zante island with his beautiful beaches. Have a swim at the wide sandy beaches in the company of sea turtles, go snorkelling or scuba diving between rocks and in underwater caves.

15 Take a sailboat out or go surfing. Make a trekking tour in the mountain areas. Enjoy the great weather on the sunniest island in the Mediterranean, and let yourself be swept away by the rhythms of Zakynthian life, joining the hospitable people of this island. But that's not all. Zakynthos (its total size is 406 square km) has much more to offer, so use the special links on the navigation board to see the aspects of this island of sea turtles, in which you may have an interest. We are certain that you won't pass up the opportunity to visit us. Island of Ithaki: When Odysseus set off for glorious days in Troy, his beloved wife, Penelope, was left alone to unwittingly excite the appetite of men for a gorgeous queen. Before long, the palace was brimful of odious suitors who would flirt with the queen persistently. What is more, they made Penelope promise she would marry one of them. To keep them at bay, she came up with a devise: she promised she would come to a wedding with the best of them when she would have finished weaving a shroud. So, she spent the daytime weaving it and the nighttime unweaving it. Thus doing, she managed to stay clear of the suitors for 20 whole years, until Odysseus returned to Ithaca. Keep Ithaca always in your mind. Arriving there is what you are destined for Cavafy, Ithaca, translated by Edmund Keely/Philip Sherrard Vathy

16 Worldwide famous as the home of Odysseus, Ithaca symbolises the return to the haven, the discovery and the fulfillment. Despite its proximity to Kefalonia (Cephalonia) (2km northeast) it is much more peaceful, quiet and undiscovered from it, thus being an ideal place for alternative activities and a holiday living up to the standards of the most demanding ones amongst us. With its 27 kilometre long and 6.5 kilometre large mountainous surface, it boasts plenty of hiking as well as mountain bike trails in a sequence of blue and green alongside the coast and through olive, cypress, pine, oak, arbutus and carob trees up on the hills. Scuba diving and sea kayaking are some of the options too, while the Cave of the Nymph will give you the chance to combine an exciting visit with a myth: Odysseus had hidden there the gifts he had brought along from the land of the Phaeacians. Beaches The beach lovers will take pleasure in a multitude of choices covering all tastes, from sand to pebbles, from rocky to green clad backgrounds, from peaceful to busy ones. Some of them are: Lootsa, Filiatró, Sarakínniko, Dexá, Minnímata, Yidáki, Aetós, Áspros Yalós, Afáles, Kourvoólia.

17 Island of 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. They perch everywhere, even at the most precipitous points, sprouting from the rocks and reaching as far as the edge of the sea, as though they insisted on demonstrating their superiority over the place. Even at the first sight from a distance, then, Kalamos captivates with its unusual, wild landscape. Kalamos has a surface area of around 20 square kilometres and a highest mountain peak of 200 metres. There are around 580 permanent residents, increasing in the summer when friends and relatives visit the island. The centre of the island is the port of Kalamos, which is on the eastern side. This is where many people sailing the Ionian moor their boats in order to visit the island, enjoy some seafood at a seaside taverna or seek refuge from bad weather. Work being carried out for the widening the port will increase the number of boats that can be moored here and ease sea transport, which is the island's only means of communication with the rest of the world. A caique makes four to five connections to and from Mytika daily in the summer, bringing passengers and all types of goods to cover the needs of the island's few residents. The island has a simple, rural atmosphere.

18 The houses of Kalamos, clambering high above the port, are stone built, most with tiled roofs, built tightly packed next to each other and intersected by narrow, winding lanes. The road which connects the port with the village rises quite steeply and has many bends. The few cars, used mainly for transporting goods, drive carefully along the narrow roads. A new road starting at Kalamos ascends high into the mountains and passes through an amazing pine forest, terminating at the island's other small village, Episkopi. Here the few houses, worn by time, are used as summer residences, drawing their owners to Episkopi each year. It is as though time stopped 50 years ago. The residents' boats, a vital means of transportation and communication with the rest of the world, are kept at the small, new port. Episkopi is only ten minutes from the port to Mytika on the mainland coast of Aitoloakarnania... On the other side of the island is Porto Leone, a charming, little bay so named by the Venetians who first drew up the maps of the area. Nearby is an old bridge built many centuries ago. The pine forest is very rare and the only other forests of this type are found on the Sporades islands in the Aegean Sea. It is a thickly grown verdant forest, powerful and vibrant and home to many species of birds. The road from Kalamos to Episkopi also leads down to the little beach of Ayios Konstantinos. Here, right in front of the waves, there is a small and pretty private church dedicated to Ayios Donatos, a saint encountered mainly in the Ionian Islands. Built in stone with a ceramic tile roof, it stands alone with only the thick foliage to keep it company; soon it will be in need of care, however, in order to protect it for the future. Ayios Ioannis, which is one of the oldest churches on the island, is almost completely ruined. A plaque still remains with an inscription (1648) of the date when the church was most likely built. Other churches are the church of Ayios Minas, the church of Episkopi, and Ayios Georgios in the cemetery. The island has long been farmed. Its mountain is lower in the centre and towards the south and is much easier to farm at this point. In the past there was also vine cultivation, but all that remains of this today are the walls that were used to hold the earth in. There are many olive trees and three windmills at Agriapidia, where the whole harvest would be gathered. Kalamos has small,

19 mainly pebbly, beaches with brilliantly clean waters, access to which is mainly from the sea. Near the port are the beaches of Myrtia and Asproyiali, whilst further south are Agriapidia, Pefkoi and Kefali with Kedros, Alexaki, Kipoi and Trachilos to the west. The island also has some interesting caves. The road that goes from Kalamos to Episkopi has not had much of an effect on the landscape and is ideal for all those who delight in rambling through a beautiful natural environment. The island has only a few cultural monuments. It does, however, have a remarkable natural landscape and an atmosphere which transports the visitor to eras long gone This text is cited April 2004 from the Prefecture of Lefkada URL below, which contains images Island of Meganisi: Meganisi is a small island in the Ionian archipel. It is situated southeast of its larger neighbour the island Lefkada or Lefkas. The island is very fertile and lush with vegetation. Meganisi can be reached by ferry from the village of Nidri that is situated on the east side of the island of Lefkas. Also there are several tour boats from Lefkas to the island of Meganisi. The island has still escaped from the mass tourism and with a bit of luck you can still find your own private beach or cove (some of which can only be reached if you hire a boat). Meganisi is still quite traditional with stone houses, small cobbled and traffic free streets, abandoned windmills on top of the hills, ruins and small old churches; remnants of its history which goes back all the way to the times of Homer (800 BC), when the island was already inhabited. Meganisi actually means "the largest" and this is because it is the largest of the small islands here in this area. In between the capital Nidri on Lefkas and the island of Meganisi there are several smaller islands like Sparti, Skorpidi and Skorpios / Scorpios (also known as Onassis island). Meganisi measures 20 km2 and has around 3000 inhabitants. Meganisi The villages of the island of Meganisi in Greece

20 The islands capital is called Vathi or Vathy and this is one of the villages where the ferries make a stop. Meganisi has three villages in total and Vathi is the smallest of these three. Vathi is situated in a deep bay on the north side of the island Meganisi and from here there are views to the island of Scorpios (or Onassis Island). In and around the harbour of Vathi there are several small shops and some tavernes where you can have something to drink or enjoy a Greek meal. At walking distance of the village there are several small pebble beaches where you can relax in the sun and take a swim in the sea (the beaches of Pasoumaki and Porto Abelaki). In the late afternnoon when the day trippers from the island of Lefkas leave the island and peace and quiet returns to Meganisi. This is the time that the locals and the few tourists that were left behind enjoy a coffee or an ouzo on one of the terraces in the harbour. The village of Spartochori also has connections by ferry to the island of Lefkas. This village is situated a bit little west of Vathi, highh above the small harbour which is called Spilia. Normally the ferry from Nidri (on Lefkas) will arrive here in the morning (the journey takes about 20 minutes) than goes to Vathi (another 10 minutes) and returns again in the evening. In Spartachori there are also amenities like mini markets, shops and tavernes. The walk from the harbour of Spilia to the higher situated village of Spartachori takes about 10 minutes (path or stairs) and you will be rewarded with excellent views over Lefkas island. In the harbour of Spilia you will usually find some sailing boats and yachts. There are also a number of tavernes where you can have something to eat. A little bit further there is a nice beach with a taverna. The last of the three villages on the island of Meganisi is called Katomeri. It is situated south of Vathi at around a 15 minutes walking distance. It is more traditional than the other two villages and it also has a couple of tavenes, a bakery and a petrol station. The most famous attraction of the island is the Pananikolis Sea Cave. This cave is the second largest sea cave in Greece. Locals claim that the

21 cave succesfully hid a Greek submarine in the Second World war, others say that it must have been a very small submarine if this is true. The island is suitable for making walks or bicycle rides along the coastal road that leads between the villages Katomeri, Vathi and Spartohori. There are also foothpaths and goat trails that lead deeper inland and that go to more remote parts of the island where you can have wonderful views of the sea, the mainland and the island of Lefkas.

22 Island of Lefkas: Lefkada (or Lefkas) is ringed by electric blue water, and shimmers with wild olive groves and the spear shaped forms of cypress trees. Despite being connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway it feels in places distinctly untamed by the tourism footprint, whose developed enclaves tend to be on the east coast. In the wild centre of the island you'll find wandering old crones in traditional dress and shepherds benignly tending sheep; on the western side are a couple of the best beaches in the world. A strong wind assaults Lefkada and has made the island hugely popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers, and a major fixture on the professional circuit. Lefkada is less insular than most islands; it was once attached to the nearby mainland by a narrow isthmus until occupying Corinthians breached it with a canal in the 8th century BC. The island s bustling main town has a relaxed, happy feel. It is built on a promontory at the southeastern corner of a salty lagoon where earthquakes are a constant threat. The town was devastated by one in 1948, only to be rebuilt in a distinctively quake proof and attractive style, with the upper storey facades of some buildings in brightly painted corrugated tin. Stroll the vibrant main pedestrian thoroughfare, Dorpfeld, and through lively Plateia Agiou Spyridonos, or visit the handsome churches. Moni Faneromenis founded in 1634, the monastery, on a hilltop 3km west of town, was destroyed by fire in 1886 and later rebuilt. Views of the lagoon and town are worth the ascent, as is the monastery s museum of ecclesiastical art.

23 Fortress of Agia Mavra, this 14th century Venetian fortress squats immediately across the causeway. It was first established by the crusaders, but the remains date mainly from the Venetian and Turkish occupations. Read more: islands/lefkada#ixzz3ye46seqh