Introduction & General Information

The beautiful island of Ithaca is famous as the homeland of Odysseus (Ulysses), the hero of the Homeric poem Odyssey. Ithaca is the land where the faithful Penelope waits patiently twenty years for her husband to return from the Trojan War.

Despite his long voyage full of adventures, Odysseus manages to return to his beloved Ithaca, which became after the Odyssey a symbol of the long and difficult voyage of a lifetime and the joys of it, an idea which the poet Constantine Cavafy expressed beautifully in his wonderful poem called Ithaka (Ithaki).

The influence of the story of Ulysses is so vivid till today that theatrical versions of Homer's poet are frequently played in the Municipality's Theatrical Library. This wonderful, verdant island is separated from the island of Kefalonia by a narrow canal, only 3 km wide.

The east coast of Ithaca island is harsh and precipitous, greatly contrasting with the west coast which is verdant and soft, gently sloping down to the Ionian Sea. The interior of the island is quite mountainous, covered with pine forests, cypresses, olive trees, and vineyards. Enchanting coves are perfecting this idyllic landscape, making it a real paradise on earth.

Fortunately, Ithaca has not yet been spoiled by mass tourism, mostly because it is an unknown destination and doesn't fit the expectations of the people usually looking for exciting nightlife and large crowded sandy beaches, fully equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas. Ithaca is not that kind of island. It is a calm and beautiful destination, ideal for those searching for relaxation, peaceful walks, calm swimming in emerald waters, small single coves boarded by pine and olive trees, and great calm.

Ithaca is an island of pleasure where everyone takes its time to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the place. The island offers many things to do such as endless walks, visits to the sleepy villages and stops at the many archaeological sites associated with Homer's stories.

The whole island is full of magic and beauty, making more clear the great love and pride of Odysseus for his homeland. Ithaca is a wonderful island with amazing landscape of greenery, villages, small caves, and picturesque ports.

However, apart from a lovely scenery, Ithaca also has a great culture. Many famous personalities of Greek history were born there. The culture of this island has been influenced by the Italians, like the rest of the Ionian islands, and has offered a revival to the mainland of Greece.

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