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Located halfway between Zakinthos and Corfu. Levkas retains its island status because of a floating bridge which connects it to the mainland, meaning no expensive ferries are needed to get here.
Levkas boasts some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean along its west coast, a hoard of beautiful villages, both around the coast and amongst the olive groves and pine forests of the mountain interior.
Surprisingly for a Mediterranean island, Levkas and the surrounding islands remain green and lush, even through the heat of the long summer. Generally we don’t see a cloud between May and September but the trees just don’t seem to care!
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The largest of the Ionian islands, Cephallonia has its own airport near the capital, Argostoli, in the south.
The jewel in the crown however is Fiscardo in the north. It is the only southern Ionian town to survive the 1953 earthquake more or less intact.The harbour is a picture and a place to see and be seen. Especially in August when the rich and famous show up en-mass in their huge motor yachts. Fiskardo just seems to carry on being Fiskardo and has some of the best restaurants you will find on your voyage |
Made famous in Homer’s Odyssey over 4000 years ago, this is a mystic place drowning in history. With its mountains growing straight from the sea and villages perched on the slopes.
The harbours of Frikes, Kioni and Vathi all have their own charm. All have excellent restaurants, tavernas and bars. Kioni even has a bespoke jeweller.
There are only three harbours because there really is nowhere else to put another one, so abrupt is the border between sea and mountain.
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Like dissimilar twins they lie in the east of our sailing area and are chalk and cheese. Kalamos, tall, rugged and covered in pine forest, olive and almond groves, reaches a height of 1000m and can be seen from anywhere in the inland sea.
While Kastos hides in the lee, being a little sparse on trees and only a couple of hundred feet high it has its own, rough beauty. It may well be the most peaceful place you visit, as if time has stopped here. Hundreds of tiny rocky coves where you can have a personal moment, especially if you rise early and take your towel for a walk.
Both have safe harbours, good simple tavernas and if you don’t have a boat of your own you can’t get there as there are no ferries and no tour operators serving either.
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The largest of Levkas’ satellite islands gets a mention in Homers odyssey as the ‘trident headed isle’ and is steeped in history and legend.
It was for many years a pirate stronghold but now the money comes from olive oil and a few tourists.
The island has managed to retain its old charm and just lets its natural beauty do the talking with great little harbours, weatherproof anchorages and loads of authentic tavernas and fish restaurants.
The village of Spartachori above Porto Spilia and Katomari above Vathi are well worth a walk in the morning or evening, with panoramic views of the Inland Sea and the mainland.
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Home of the ill fated Onassis Family, Skorpios has some fine anchorages tenable in most wind directions.
You can go ashore, if there aren’t any visiting dignitaries in residence, but only on certain beaches and only up to the high water mark. Having said this, the island is a beauty, well it must be, Madonna offered $ 200.000.000 ten years ago for it and they said no.
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30 NM north of Levkas lie the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos.
Paxos has 4 pretty harbours and is well worth a visit, especially as a stop off if you intend visiting Corfu town on your travels.
Antipaxos makes up for its lack of harbours with its abundance of terrific beaches and coves.
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Although a good 12 hours sailing from Levkas, if you have 2 weeks with us and you fancy a longer trip, Corfu town is a must.
In true colonial style it has a cricket club. The only one in Greece so they never lose!
Its elegant shops and thriving cafe society stand cheek and jowl with the old town market, cafenions and grill houses.
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