Ionian island

LEFKADA

Lefkada is a very strange island, there is a long pier passing through lagoons, connects it with the continent, that is why it can hardly  be called an island/

Santa-mavra – the fort castle constructed by venetians has protected Lefakas from a Somali pirates. In 1779 venetians were banished by Napoleon, in 1810 all ionic islands have got under British protectorate and only in 1864 the archipelago reunited with Greece.

Lefkada— from a word Lukas (white) has occurred from color of white layered rocks of island. The island is fertile, cypresses, olives, grapes grow here. There are beautiful beaches on the West of the island. Famous Greek artists and poets were born here, that is why now days they support art here, hold theatre, music, folk and dance festivals. Tourism is not very much developed in Lefaka— there are 2 cores of a resort — Vasiliki in the south which is recognized by the Largest surfing center in Europe and Nidri — in the East, opposite picturesque archipelago of small islands, that is why small ferries go from Nidri to Meganisi and other islands, including the famous islands Scorpios which belongs to family Onassis (armed security forces drives away from island the most persistent curious.

There are some Vizantian and Italian churches and cathedrals escaped destruction in Lefkada. The majority of the city is pedestrian — streets are narrow, the museum of phonographs, municipal art gallery and the Archeological museum are goodto be seen.

ZAKYNTHOS

This is the largest island among the six Ionian islands. The most part of the island is still green and untouched, while all the tourism is developing in clearly defined areas, the main resorts are growing, but it does not harm the peaceful suburbs. Zakintos is strictly divided into three parts: Northwest with its absence of plants and mountain landscape, the middle fertile valley and the South cost which is full of resorts. The largest resort Lananas is serves as a round-the-clock platform of the high profile parties from Easter till October.To the North and South of the capital resorts are smaller and quieter. The southern peninsula of Vasilikos is notable not only for its beautiful rural landscape but also for excellent beaches (the best is Jerakas) On this island one can find rural manors, hospitable farms, ancient villages, ruins of the Venetian buildings and towers. Such famous wines as Popolare, nougats in sugar powder – mandolato are produced here. In all taverns you can hear famous ballades – kantades.  Zakintosd is also famous for its gulf Lagonas in which huge sea turtles Lagoherdy breed (Caretta-caretta in Greek).Such places are very rare in the world and species threatened with extinction it turned into a nature reserve.

The city of Zakinos (or Zante) formly the Venice of East was destroyed in the earthquake in 1953 and continues reconstruction according to the plan of old town. The city tries to recover not only the old architecture but at least something from the previous way of life, although the concrete around gets more. The greatest sightseeing’s are powerful Castro, Seafaring museum, Solomy square.

There are magnificent caves near the Skinary Cape, they are really worth seeing – the color of the water is amazing here similar caves are near the Kery cave.

You certainly should go to the West to the Anafonitria monastery and from there to majestic rocks over the Navaio bay (Shipwrecks bay) these rocks command a haircurling view and underneath on wild sandy beach there is wrecked in 60-ies ship. It is the most photographed place in Greece

KEFALONIA

On the largest island of the Ionian archipelago – Kefallinia there are either densely populated cities or resorts. The earthquake of 1953 razed to the ground most of the monuments of Venetian and Italian architecture. However there is still something to attract tourists to Kefallinia. This place is famous for its excellent beaches, local wine Roble, majestic and unique nature (mountain Enos 1632 is declared as National park). The island is connected to the mainland and other Ionic islands by ferry service. There is an airport here.

CORFU

Located between the Italian boot heel and the western shore of mainland Greece, mountainous Kerkira (as all Europeans call Corfu) has found itself in the 60s among the few islands which began attracting tourists. It is thought that Shakespeare describing asylum Prospero in "the Tempest", wrote about Corfu, the island was well known among such writers as Spenser, Milton, Henry Miller, brothers Darrel. There are great numbers of places where you can stay on the island (hotels, hostels, apartment, and rooms) — has more than 5 thousand seats, means that competition forces hold down prices for low level. Prices in shops and restaurants are also lower than the other Ionian Islands. The capital of the island is Kerkira – perhaps the most elegant capital in Greece. The town clearly divided in several parts of the historical center, the oldest Komp′ello took the hill above the Harbour, Kofinetta reaches out to the Esplanade, Aij-Apostali — just behind a large Orthodox Cathedral, and between the remnants of the Jewish quarter and Fort wedged  Tenedos district

Manduki behind old port is trade and sleeping area. Sightseeing can be weeks. In Corfu there are great number of cafes and bars, restaurants and nightclubs and on the pedestrian Liston, behind the new port couple of kilometers from town is the self-proclaimed disco-strip clubs and discos. The most attractive resort in the North, AdiosStefano’s, with a lovely Church, beautiful beach with surf lessons, many villas to rent, and beautiful taverns. Kerkira is beautiful, in spite of the fact that tourism here is very developed you can still find unspoiled corners, secluded beaches and bays, quiet mountain villages, and residents of this island have imbibed with mother's milk tradition of hospitality