Greece. 7 day route to the Ionian Islands

After renting a vessel and safely accommodating on board, spend some time talking to the manager of the charter company. Before sailing from marina Lefkada, you’ll have enough time to see the city and enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants.

Meganisi is situated in the Ionian Sea, between the islands of Lefkada and Kalamos. Meganisi’s coastline delights yachtsmen with its beautiful diversity; the jagged shoreline with its many coves in the north contrasts the south’s smooth shoreline with its numerous caves. The island’s harbours are vast enough to provide all comers with peace and seclusion. For those who want a bit more action, there’s always the popular mooring berths in Meganisi’s population centers such as Porto Spilia in the Village of Spartochori, the Odysseus marina in Vafi, and the anchoring berths in Kapali, Abelike and Porto Athene. The best thing to enjoy would be the typical architecture of its miniature Greek villages. Cobbled roads and stone houses, lush vegetation and turquoise water, you’re sure to find your peace in Meganisi.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Ithaca is one of the most famous of the Greek isles. The name is familiar to virtually everyone who’s ever heard of the works of the ancient Greek poet Homer, for Ithaca is the birthplace of the legendary hero king, Odysseus. But archaeologists hold differing opinions regarding his exact place of residence, with possible versions ranging from Alalcomenes to Stavros. Today’s attractions include an archaeological museum, a bust of Odysseus, the ruins of the ancient settlement of Pilikata, and numerous caves also mentioned in myths, such as Marmarospilia, the cave of nymphs. In 2010, the archaeologist Thanasis Papadopoulos announced that he had found the ruins of a three-story building in Ithaca Odysseus’ palace with a staircase set deep in a cliff. The palace is located not far from the village of Eksogi and forms part of the School of Homer archaeological park. The island’s present-day capital is Vathi. It spreads out along the shores of a convenient, welcoming cove and naturally began to attract the attention of yachtsmen. The venetians built this stunning city and left a distinct imprint on its architectural style. You’ll see it clearly in the charming two-story houses with tiled roofs and narrow balconies as they ring the cove like an amphitheater. All tourist life is centered in Vathi, with the rest of Ithaca left in tranquility and peace.

Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands. According to one theory, its name derives from that of the mythological hero Kephala, a fearless hunter captured by the Goddess of the Dawn, Eos. Nature and history have been equally generous to the island resulting in magnificent beaches, lush green valleys, colorful villages with their centuries-long traditions, and splendid churches, temples, and castles. Kefalonia’s main attractions are as follows: the lake at Melissani Cave, the archaeological museum in Argostoli, the Monastery of St. Gerasimus of Kefalonia near Valsamati, the beautifully-preserved Venetian settlement in the village of Fiskardo, and the Manzavinos winery near Lixouri. The island’s most famous and popular beach is Myrtos; it’s earned the Blue Flag, an article in Forbes, and has dazzling seawater that swirls all shades of blue. No less popular is Xi beach with its strikingly deep orange sand and brilliant white cliffs.

Third largest of the Ionian Islands, Zakynthos is sometimes affectionately referred to as the “sumptuous flower of the Mediterranean.” The beauty of its land has long been celebrated – as far back as in ancient myths. According to these stories, Artemis liked to hunt here, and Apollo preferred to rest under the shade of its trees. The island even boasts poetic glory – it’s the birthplace of the famed Greek poet Dionysios Solomos. But the endless spread of spectacular beaches is this island’s main draw. The shoreline is sprinkled with snow-white sand and rimmed by a pine forest, while its golden cliffs are brightly reflected in the deep-turquoise waters of the sea. The most famous beach on Zakynthos is in Navagio bay with its abandoned smugglers’ ship sitting on the shore. The beach can only be reached by water, giving yachtsmen an insider advantage. The second-most popular beach is Gerakas. It’s worth a stop just to see the caretta-caretta sea turtles. No less picturesque are the island’s other beaches: Laganas, Argassi, Tsivili. Aside from rest and relaxation, Zakynthos offers island guests the chance to gain some local insight. You can visit the monastery of Agios Georgios, take in the Venetian architecture of capital-city Zakynthos, visit the Askos flora and fauna park a kilometer away from the port of Agios Nikolaos, and admire the many Byzantine churches sprinkled throughout the island.

During Homer’s time, the port city of Sami was the capital of Kefalonia. Today, it’s popular among many tourists – especially yachtsmen, thanks to its convenient location and attractive natural landscape. The main attractions are the caves of Melisani and Drogarathi. The light reflecting in the water draws dazzling patterns on the walls and ceiling of the caves, while the splendid acoustics even make it possible to hold concerts here.

Lefkada will be the final destination of the cruise. Much like Day 1, your final day will be devoted to matters of handing over the yacht. You should take time in advance to clean everything on board and ensure the equipment is in working order. The smoother the transfer, the more time you’ll have for a walk in the city.