Corfu is one of the most beautiful and green islands which combines a populous east coast with many beaches and a wild west coast with cliff-faced inlets and coastlines. Opposite Corfu lies the Sivota islands with the village of Mourtos on the mainland in a pleasant wooded setting. On the coastline to the south lies Parga a delightful place built down the steep slopes to the waters edge.
Paxi is a beautiful island with fine beaches at the east cost covered by endless olive trees. At the west coast there are wild cliffs with impressive caves. The channel formation of the harbour of Paxi is worth seeing. Antipaxi a smaller island south of Paxi is famous for the turquoise water and the sandy beaches.
Lefkas is situated in the middle of the Ionian. To the south lies Onasis island Scorpios and the island of Meganisi. The strait between Meganisi and Lefkas is one of the loveliest channels in the Ionian. The area has a lot of wooded bays and nice fishing villages.
Ithaka is the famous island of Ulysses the hero of Homer. The west coast of the island is steep and almost barren in contrast to the green, gentle shoreline on the east. Ithaka has many interesting bays and villages like the main harbour Vathi, Frikes and the amphitheatric Kioni.
Cephalonia is the largest and most mountainous island in the Ionian. There are bare rocky slopes alternating with valleys of pine forests. The Fiskardo town in the north entrance of the channel between Ithaka and Cephalonia is a popular spot for yachts. The many small bays of this green wooded stretch of coastline are suitable for an overnight stay.
Zakynthos is the southernmost of the Ionian islands. It is a beautiful island distinguished by the emerald green of its sea, the pine-studded mountains and by beaches as far as the eye can see. The Venetians called Zakynthos "the flower of the Levant". It is famous as the main Careta-careta loggerhead turtle nesting ground at Laganas beach.
Sailing routes in Ionian
One week sailing starting from Corfu
1. Marina Gouvia - Sivota (Mourtos)
2. Sivota - Paxi
3. Paxi - Antipaxi
4. Antipaxi - Parga
5. Parga - Corfu town
6. Corfu town - Marina Gouvia
Two weeks sailing starting from Corfu
1. Marina Gouvia - Parga
2. Parga - Lefkas
3. Lefkas - Nidri
4. Nidri - Meganisi
5. Meganisi - Ithaka
6. Ithaka - Fiskardo (Kefalonia)
7. Fiskardo - Kalamos
8. Kalamos - Lefkas
9. Lefkas - Antipaxi
10. Antipaxi - Paxi
11. Paxi - Sivota (Mourtos)
12. Sivota - Corfu town
13. Corfu town - Marina Gouvia
