Greece Islands Travel Guide
We started our trip with 2 flights , first to Athens and then a connection to Corfu. From Corfu we took the ferry to Igumenista harbor.and then we drove to Lefkada Island. In Lefkada's Marine we charted a yacht that served us for the next 7 days . Seems like a long road right :) ? Well it is...
But I wouldn't change our destination islands for anything.
But I wouldn't change our destination islands for anything.
So what did we have on this trip ?
Fantastic sea...checked
Breathtaking nature views ....checked
Taverns, Mediterranean food that makes every island that we visited unique...checked
Nicest people...checked
Colorful streets and much more...
Breathtaking nature views ....checked
Taverns, Mediterranean food that makes every island that we visited unique...checked
Nicest people...checked
Colorful streets and much more...
Here is Oxana's tour guide through the different islands of west Greece.
Day 1- Nidri
Nidri is a small colorful town in Lefkada Island, filled with great restaurants to eat ( just pick one and sit )and lot's of shops. After we walked a bit, we heard that it's a custom in Greece to enter a hotel, order some drinks and enjoy the hotel facilities (pool ,Jacuzzi etc), so we gladly did that and entered Athos Hotel where they welcomed us to stay. Also for only 2 euro's you can use the hotel's showers.
The Nidri Waterfalls were the refreshment of the day. We climbed all the way up to the mountain and discovered the clearest and coldest water ever. On the way down we stopped for some tea, i needed that.
The Nidri Waterfalls were the refreshment of the day. We climbed all the way up to the mountain and discovered the clearest and coldest water ever. On the way down we stopped for some tea, i needed that.
Nidri Waterfalls
Berries are everywhere and they are tasty as well as grapefruits, lemons and olives
Day 2- Sivota ( a quick stop at Scorpios island for breakfast )
Sivota in one word was incredible. It has a great atmosphere, quiet and peaceful. We ate in a great Italian restaurant which i don't remember its name , but you don't have a lot of Italian restaurants there so it won't be hard to find.
Day 3- Fiscardo ( a quick stop at apollonioi for breakfast )
Fiscardo in Kefalonia Island is a picturesque harbor village. It was one of the busiest places we've visited ,seemed like everyone wanted to be here at the same day that we wanted :). If you want to get a spot for your boat you need to get there very early. We came late in the after noon but we still managed to get a small space. In order to get a shower you will need to pay 4 euro's here (still not a lot if you live on a boat). Fiscardo offers fresh fish restaurants and fine Greek cuisine and lots and lots of shops.
Day 4- Vathy - Ithaca
Vathy was also one of the villages that took seriously the Siesta period, everything was closed in 14:00 and reopened at 18:00. This gave us the perfect time to visit the beautiful Captain Yiannis Hotel, drink some beverages and enjoy the gorgeous view of Vathy from the pool. Most of the cafes and restaurants are opened though during the siesta, so you can grab a cold coffee and enjoy a great book.To this trip i brought "eat , pray, love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. Although i read it already it was a different experience reading it in the nature's silence. After dinner we discovered some great Pubs to sit and enjoy surprisingly good Greek Rock .
Day 5- Atokos , Ak Kefali and last stop of the day, Porto Spiglia (Meganissi Island)
Atokos
Ak Kefali
Porto Spiglia
Porto Spiglia
Atokos and Ak Kefali were small memorizing islands, worth stopping and swimming.
Our last stop of the day was Porto Spiglia, in meganissi island. Things are very simple in those kind of places. You can dock, connect to electricity and water, and even shower, all you have to do in return, is to eat dinner at the restaurant (this very common to all islands).The Spiglia Tavern was wonderful, best fish I've tasted so far and in the evening the Greek party, of dancing and smashing plates starts. From the other side of the docking you have a beautiful beach that reminded me of Thailand. I should warn you about the tavern owner Babis ;), in short he is one hard cookie. Oh well, still, the fish was great.
A few notes about Porto Spiglia:
* you need to reserve in advance a place if you wish to dock for the night. otherwise, Babis will give you the finger :)
* The earlier you will come to the restaurant ,you'll have more variety of food. Otherwise you'll be left with leftovers.
* You have a small mini market right at the back of the restaurant.
Our last stop of the day was Porto Spiglia, in meganissi island. Things are very simple in those kind of places. You can dock, connect to electricity and water, and even shower, all you have to do in return, is to eat dinner at the restaurant (this very common to all islands).The Spiglia Tavern was wonderful, best fish I've tasted so far and in the evening the Greek party, of dancing and smashing plates starts. From the other side of the docking you have a beautiful beach that reminded me of Thailand. I should warn you about the tavern owner Babis ;), in short he is one hard cookie. Oh well, still, the fish was great.
A few notes about Porto Spiglia:
* you need to reserve in advance a place if you wish to dock for the night. otherwise, Babis will give you the finger :)
* The earlier you will come to the restaurant ,you'll have more variety of food. Otherwise you'll be left with leftovers.
* You have a small mini market right at the back of the restaurant.
Day 6- Lefkada
Next early morning we already headed on our way back to Corfu.
Day 7- Corfu
Corfu (Kerkyra) - was my favorite place (what a surprise, i love populated places). It reminded me of Rome so much with all its historical sites, even a synagogue. The streets are filled with markets, stores, restaurants and all a tourist can want. I left Corfu but Corfu didn't leave me, i would definitely come back to see all of it, the beaches ,the nightlife and more.
Jewish Synagogue Corfu
small great bakery
Greece Islands felt like small pieces of heaven. Everyday we visited a different island (heaven) and they were different from one another. The color of the sea, the pastel painted houses,
the tasty food, the breathtaking views that i only saw in pictures. I left Greece happy but wanting more. For me it was a different trip from what i'm used to, i love big places like NY.
2nd of all it was a family trip, i'm used to travel alone with my hubby (the photographer), and most importantly this trip ordered me to relax, which was strange to me. But i did, and i came back looking rested (except everyone told me i looked high, lol ).
Greece was beautiful and peaceful, i'm looking forward to come back.
2nd of all it was a family trip, i'm used to travel alone with my hubby (the photographer), and most importantly this trip ordered me to relax, which was strange to me. But i did, and i came back looking rested (except everyone told me i looked high, lol ).
Greece was beautiful and peaceful, i'm looking forward to come back.
Photo Credit: Naveh Grofi & Oxana Abramov Grofi
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