Learn About The Mythological And Historical Ionian Sea On A Cruise

Lefkada Island

While you wait to board the cruiser in Nidri, take a look at nearby hills with verdant greenery, a likable town and the peninsula on the opposite side of the bay (in the photo). Next to a small church is a resting place of Wilhelm Dorpfeld, a German archaeologist. Dorpfeld was a part of Heinrich Schliemann’s expedition, who is famous for discovering the remains of ancient Troy in Asia Minor.

Once you set out on your cruise, you’ll have a view on hilly Lefkada Island to your right and the Skorpios and Meganisi Islands to your left. The Skorpios Islands are known for being in private ownership of well-known Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, who was married to Jacqueline Kennedy, the widow of John F. Kennedy.

As you turn westward, you’ll begin to see numerous windsurfers ahead. The Vasilikos Bay is among the best destinations in the world for windsurfing activities and probably the best in Europe.

Lefkada’s name origin

As you leave behind Vasilikos Bay, the most exciting part of the cruise lies just ahead. Due to vehement winds that blow in this area, the sea is particularly restless, with a series of waves that will give you the impression that you’re in the middle of a violent storm. The cruiser cuts its way through huge waves toward the first stop. Adventure enthusiasts will surely be exhilarated by this part of the journey. Overshadowed by such an outstanding experience, a few interesting facts about Lefkada are attached with this part of the island.

Supposedly, the name of the island is related to the white rocks in the photo. The term “lefkos” in Greek means “white”.

The area around the lighthouse was a place where one’s innocence used to be put to the test. If you were accused of murder or other serious crimes and your innocence could not be proven, you would be escorted to the top of the cliff where you were thrown into the sea. Since staying alive was highly unlikely due to numerous sharp rocks at the bottom of the cliff, survival was taken as a proof of innocence, resulting with the ex-suspect’s full rehabilitation into the community.

The southernmost point of Lefkada Island is related to ancient mythology, too. A cave just at the base of “white rocks” is where Hades, the Greek God of the ancient underworld, resides.

Porto Katsiki Beach, Lefkada Island

Lefkada’s western coastline abounds with splendid beaches, and Porto Katsiki is the most outstanding one. As you pass the windy and wavy area, an immense cliff and turquoise waters slowly emerge ahead. The name of the beach is translated as “the goat’s path” or something similar because a pasture is located above the narrow stretch of the beach, atop the cliff. A short break is scheduled here before you set out for Kefalonia Island, and there’s just enough time for you to enjoy swimming in an unforgettable environment featuring turquoise vastness in front of you and a high cliff above your head.

Fiskardo, Kefalonia

The next short stop is scheduled for Fiskardo on Kefalonia Island, a small likable settlement that was left unscathed during an earthquake that destroyed most of Kefalonia a couple of decades ago. Neighboring hills abound with lush greenery, and you can find some spots with exceptional views on the neighboring Ithaca Island without much effort. The name of Fiskardo is related to a Viking chieftain, who landed on Kefalonia here in the distant past.

Ithaca Island

Ithaca is the most harmonious Ionian island even at first sight. While other islands feature dramatic and contrasting reliefs featured by sudden terrain changes, Ithaca Island’s slight curves and gradual relief changes are truly artistic, as if applied by a painter’s brush. Ithaca Island is mostly covered with undergrowth and wooded areas, with few visible settlements on its shores and inland.

Kioni is a picturesque settlement, built on the slopes of the eastern shore of Ithaca. Since its docks can’t hold more than one large ship, you may have time to walk its street if the dock is unoccupied when you arrive.

Meganisi Island and Skorpios

The return trip takes you first to Meganisi Island and a sea cave where a Greek submarine was in hiding during the Second World War. Aided by the locals, who brought necessary provisions for the crew, the submarine sank countless Italian and German ships that sailed the Ionian Sea before being discovered and destroyed.

The above-mentioned Skorpios is the final destination for brief water activities if time allows, and the cruise around the island reveals some interesting details and stories of Onassis’ private property.