Ithaca (Ithaki), Ionian Islands

In brief
Home of Odysseus, this tiny island attracts sailors and holidaymakers from all over the world. It is very beautiful, and is surrounded by some of the clearest waters in Greece.
Ithaca is truly a magical place, and stands for the homecoming. Odysseus sailed for a decade to reach his home, and many sailors believe Ithaca is the ultimate goal. Its friendly people will do their best to make you feel welcome, and it is no coincidence that many return here year after year.
 

General Information
(Area 96 sq. km)
Throughout the ages Ithaca has been known as the home of Odysseus. For years Homer’s hero wandered before he finally returned to his island kingdom. Though he visited beautiful, exotic, far-flung lands, Ithaca never left his mind for a moment.
And even today, once you’ve been to Ithaca, it’s difficult to forget this small, mountainous island with its captivating coves that conjure up some earthly paradise.
Ithaca is separated from Cephalonia by a channel some 2 to 4 km wide. The west coast of the island is steep and almost barren in contrast to the green, gentle shoreline on the east.
 

The capital and largest settlement is Ithaki or Vathy; its red-roofed delightful houses set amidst enchanting scenery at the end of the deep closed bay of Molos. Taking the capital as a starting point, it’s easy to get to know the island’s landmarks.
Three km to the northwest lies the so-called Cave of the Nymphs (Nimfon Cave). Here according to the myth, Odysseus hid the gifts bestowed upon him by the Phaeacians who deposited him upon Ithaca’s shores ten long years after the end of the Trojan War.

Also worth visiting is the medieval Monastery of the Archangels at Perahori.
 

North of the capital and 600 meters above sea level, the Kathara Monastery (Moni Katharon) has a unique view of the island from its bell tower. On the horizon you can make out the mountains of Akarnania, the Echinades islets, the peaks of Zakinthos, the eastern coast of Cephalonia and even the entrance to the Gulf of Patras.
 
The bay of Polis to the west is the site of another cave (Loizos’ cave). This one yielded up sherds on which were carved inscriptions testifying to the worship of Artemis, Hera and Athena. Even more interesting, in the cave were also found recently twelve tripods similar to the other that the Phaeacians were supposed to have given to Odysseus.
 
Stavros, a village 17 km northwest of Ithaki, is a good base from which to explore the northern section of the island.
About 1 km north of Stavros is Pelikata; excavations on this hillside between the bays of Polis and Frikes brought to light remains of a small Bronze Age settlement. The finds unearthed there reinforce the theory that the ancient city of Ithaca lies somewhere in the vicinity.
Kioni and Frikes, typically Ionian villages, on the northeast coast are unspoilt, wonderful places for a short excursion or an extended sojourn.
 

“When you set out for Ithaca”, wrote the poet Constantine Kavafis. He was referring to Ithaca as one’s ultimate destination. Thus, Ithaca, this verdant Ionian island, may become your own favorite place, a place that draws you back year after year, when you plan your summer holiday.
 
Sightseeing 
Ithaca’ s beautiful little capital Vathy has the world’ s largest natural harbour. Here you can visit the cave of the nymphs, as well as the small archeological museum. Local artists have their own shops, and the many small cafes and taverns will impress you.
The monastery of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) Kathara is open for visitors. It was probably built in the 16th or 17th century, and has very beautiful icons, as well as very nice surroundings.
There are also some ancient ruins just outside Stavros.
 
Beaches
Ithaca offers lovely beaches for bathing, caves for exploring and uncrowded hamlets where noisy nightlife is unheard of. Mostly shingle with small, white pebbles, the beaches of Ithaca are small often looking like lakes or private beaches and some of them can only be accessed by boat. Amongst the most popular beaches are Aetos, Loutsa, Dexa, Mnimata, Skinos, Gidaki, Filiatro, Sarakiniko, Kaminia, Andri, Kathisma, Sikia, Alikes, Kritami and Robotis. 

Useful Information
How to get there
By Bus from Athens 
Athens Bus Authority (KTEL), tel.: +30 210 5129448
By sea from Patras and Astakos
Patra Port Authority, tel.: +30 2610 341002, 341024, 341046
Astakos Port Authority, tel.: +3026460 41052


Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 26740
Municipal Office: 33481, 32795
Police: 32205 Ithaca (Vathy) 
Port Authority: 32909 

Bus Terminal (Ithaca): 32445
Health Center: 32222, 31207


http://www.ithaki.gr

Milos, Cyclades Islands

In brief
Milos, is a nice volcanic island with spectacular geological and rock formations and super beaches. Milos' port Adamas is located in the flooded interior of an old caldera and is one of the safest natural harbours in the Mediterranean.

General Information
Milos is the most southerly island in the Western Cyclades. It is notable for its volcanic soil and for the rich deposits of minerals that lie beneath. It has a distinctive horseshoe shape.
The civilization of Milos is considered to be as ancient as that of Crete, and spans a period of at least 5,000 years.
Its fame spread throughout the civilized world thanks to the masterpiece of the Venus de Milo, a statue found buried on the island in the 19th century and now in the Louvre's Museum in Paris - a plaster copy can be viewed at the island's archeological museum.

Adamas, one of the safest natural harbours in the Aegean, is a particularly charming spot, with whitewashed houses, cobbled alleys, balconies crammed with flower-pots and fragrant tamarisks which have been extolled by the poets.

Milos or Plaka, capital of the island today stands on a hillside overlooking the sea at the foot of the castle. It is a most attractive town, with architecture in the characteristic Cycladic style.
Among the most notable of its churches are those of Our Lady “Korfiotissa”, Our Lady “Thalassistra” and Our Lady “Messa Panagia”.

Milos Island has a long history and claims to have the oldest town in Cyclades at Phylakope. It became rich from trading obsidian and exporting weapons made of it. Numerous finds are exhibited in the Island's Archaeological Museum, and in the Museum of Athens, but the most important find is Aphrodite of Milos (Venus de Milo), a Hellinistic work of about 150 BC -was discovered in 1820. A plaster copy of this master piece of art can be seen in the island's Archaeological Museum, while the original is in Louvre museum in Paris.

At the north-eastern extremity of Milos is the modern resort of Pollonia or Apollonia. Close by (3 km.) is Phylakope, the most important centre of population in Minoan times; the ancient city was built in three phases. Next to the archeological site is the spectacular Papafranga cave. The sea-cave called Kleftiko is at the south end of the island.

However, the most important monument on Milos is the island’s famous catacombs, now open to the public. They are located at the village of Tripiti, 2 km. from the main town of Plaka and they are among the most important of Early Christian monuments.
The extensive infrastructure for tourism of Milos, its clear waters and its fascinating monuments are helping to attract more and more visitors to the island.
The nearby islets of Antilmilos, Arkadies and Glaronissia are also of interest, each in its own way.

Sightseeing
In Plaka, Milos' capital, there are quite a few things to see. You can visit the archaeological museum where various findings from the excavations on the island are displayed, as well as a copy of Aphrodite of Milos.
The Historical and Folklore Museum has a collection of folk artefacts, samples of the island’s minerals, photographs and historical documents of the greatest interest.

The church dedicated to the Virgin Mary has many icons and here you will also get a wonderful view. The Venetian Kastro is also worth a visit.
Just above Klima there is a big archaeological excavation site, and here you will see many ancient ruins, as well as the spot where Aphrodite of Milos was found.

At Sarakiniko the ancient town Fylakopis is being excavated, and the landscape here resembles the moon. It is believed that this is where the first settlers lived, and there are traces of Minoan civilization here as well as a Roman theatre from the 2nd century PC.
The Christian catacombs from the 1st to 3rd century where about 2000 people were buried are definitely worth a visit.
In Milos' harbour, Adamas, there is a mining museum, as well as an ecclesiastical museum.

Beaches
There are more than 50 different beaches on Milos Island, offering tourists all kinds of setting for a delightful swimming exeprience. Hivadolimni Beach is the longest beach of the island about 1 kilometre. The rest of the beaches are starting from North are Sarakiniko, Papafragas, Kapros, Pachena, Alogomantra, Konstantinos, Mitakas, Mantrakia, Firopotamos, Nerodafni, Lakida, Plathiena, Fourkovouni, Areti, Pollonia, Gourado and Filakopi. South beaches are Firiplaka, Paliochori, Provatas, Tsigrado, Agia Kyriaki, Psaravolada, Kleftiko, Gerontas, Gerakas, Agios Sostis, Mouchlioti, Katergo, Spathi, Firligos, Pialothiafes, Kalamos, Krotiraki, Psathi, Svoronou and Sakelari.Western beaches include Agios Ioannis, Cave of Sikia, Agathia, Triades and Ammoudaraki and Eastern beaches include Voudia, Thalassa, Paliorema, Tria Pagidia and Thiafes.In the Bay Area you may find Hivadolimni, Lagada, Papikinou, Fatourena, Klima, Skinopi and Patrikia. The North and South and the bay beaches are tourists attraction. The east beaches are very quiet and the west are also quiet and lonesome beaches.

Useful Information

(Area 160 sq. km. Distance from Piraeus 87 nautical miles)
How to get there
By air from Athens 
Olympic Airways: +30 2103550500
By sea from Piraeus
Piraeus Port Authority: +30 2104226000-4, +30 2104114005

Useful telephone numbers
Area Code: +30 22870
Municipal Offices: 21370, 21249
Police: 21378
Port Authority: 23360
Olympic Airways, Milos: 22380
Milos airport: 22381
Health Center: 22700, 22701, 21755
Archaeological Museum: 21620
Historical and Folklore Museum: 21292

http://www.milos.gr