Ithaca, the journey home…

Ithaca - a symbol, a destination, a return. Ithaca - a dream, a bow of a vessel, a ship, a safe and windless harbour for the traveller.

Penelope, Telemachus and Odysseus walked on its ancient footpaths.
Its noble mountains and lush, tranquil slopes are untouched by clouds.

Snow-white seashores await the moment of every return.

Cyclopean stones illuminated by the light of time are witnesses of a significant history.

Familiar steps. The shells, having passed from ages before, gently whisper the invitation of memory and history as the mistral blows from the sea.

Well-travelled people return, however late, to the indelible root. The sparse soil gives birth to wild-flowers and nostalgia.

Ithaca is always there. She stands upright and tirelessly, an object of nostalgia and deep quest. This is her fate, the reason for her existence in the sea’s vastness.

When using the seaward path, your ship’s bow, like another Odysseus, docks in her mythical embrace. Ithaca will welcome you as an old, familiar friend.

Ithaca awaited you. Ithaca awaits you.

She is the flame that fires the detection of every interior way and gives us the hope of redemption, of the return, and the deep awareness of our self.

That is why the traveller knows well “what Ithacas mean”.

Ithaca, the mythical island…

Our country has been greatly influenced by ancient legends and this has added to the evocativeness of many parts of Greece. It gives the land a unique cultural privilege, that of mythicism. Many places claim to possess it, but only some fulfil our expectations.

Mythical is the place that exceeds its dimensions and rises to another transcendent level, where the boundaries of the real world do not exist, where imagination reigns.

Mythical is the place surrounded by the mists of time, where time is still, archetypal images and feelings are triggered, which lives and breathes in the shadow of an inexplicable mysticism, which sharpens and heightens the senses of the initiated.

Mythical is the place which poets have carried in their chariot of inspiration and proudly exhibited to mankind.

Mythical is the place in front of which humanity bows through culture, art and collective memory.

Mythical is the place whose name rests on the back of centuries; which is untouched by time; whose stones, mountains, pebbles and paths become the vision and pilgrimage of home-yearning pilgrims; whose beaches evoke the ocean.

Mythical is the place where you return to from every corner of the earth, because nothing in the world can compare to it, and you always feel that you have never left.

Mythical is the place that transforms the experience into value, the place that guards the consistency of collective legends and has the power to make you change your outlook of the world.

Therefore ... Mythical is Ithaca

Ithaca, a life-enhancing experience...

The journey to Ithaca is not simply a conventional holiday trip. Ithaca “baptizes” her visitor in her special atmosphere, in a unique natural and cultural environment, restoring the natural relationship of man with the basic elements of life.

Ithaca was protected by her nature from the changes brought about by touristic over-exploitation. With the capital, Vathy, proclaimed a “traditional settlement“ in 1982 due to its characteristic Ionian architecture, the certifying of regions of “Special Natural Beauty” (TIFK), with the NATURA programmes protecting her sea life, Ithaca seems to be untouched by time, one of the few corners of the Earth that receives so many visitors without changing her scenery and character.

The natural beauty of the island peacefully permeates and occupies the senses of the traveller. That is why he lives it simply, pleasantly, as a part of every moment of his visit.

The subtle beauty of the Ionian culture, the merry-making and the music that is heard until morning when the Island has feast-days, the guitars and accordion that still accompany the evening soirees that take place in the summer courtyards, become, whether he plans it or not, part of his existence.

The exquisite tastes, traditional or “experimental”, in the many corners of the island where locals and visitors coexist and share them with the same simplicity and the same enjoyment, complete the multifaceted travel experience.

The tranquil nature and temperate weather of the island throughout the year, creates the perfect environment for hiking on the natural footpaths, cycling trips and sea-sports and activities, an area in which Ithaca excels, having two of its own sailing teams.

Tourist development is smooth, the quality of accommodation high and the available services booked-out, something one wouldn’t expect for such a small place. Museums, archaeological monuments, monasteries, cinemas, sports centres, conference facilities and a multitude of exhibitions and musical activities take place year-round. The Philharmonic Band of Ithaca accompanies the activities on the island, often with a choir, local instruments and the local traditional-dance group.

The traveller’s experience in Ithaca enriches him with a history of 5000 years, without depriving him in the least, of any contemporary form of entertainment.

Ithaca, white pebbles and azure sea…

The seas of Ithaca, clear, clean, refreshing, display all the shades of blue stretching-forth to the Ionian horizon. There is nothing more magical than to ascertain in calm weather, from on high, on a slope, that the sea bed is clear and resplendent. Pure joy!

The pebbles, snow-white, clear and bright, almost blinding in the summer light, give a particular shade to our seas. They create impressive colours inside and outside the water, they compose images of unique beauty and emit particular sounds as the Mistral blows in mid-afternoon.

The experiences of Ithaca’s coastline vary as much as the island’s landscape. Some areas are calm and relaxing, some deep and imposing.
The impressions created by new-found seascapes are powerful. Of special natural beauty and untouched by time, they invite one to the joy of discovery, regardless of how many times you may visit them.

Circumnavigating the island is a riveting experience for the visitor. The hidden coves, the unique beaches that are reachable only by boat, the caves and the steep, cutting rocks that disappear into the waters, constitute the image of an impressive sea trip that cannot be ignored nor forgotten by the traveller on leaving the island.

One reaches the beaches by car, by the traditional ‘caiques’ or boats that make the regular trips and sea-tours, with rented boats, and even on foot. One can even combine swimming with one of the many hiking activities offered by the island. The experience of the sea is elevated to that which is worthy of her.

In Ithaca, the connection of seascape with the Odyssean adventure seems unavoidable. This will perhaps, inexplicably but decisively, constitute one of the primary factors that will inspire our initiate-visitor with the idea of the return to its birthplace.

Ithaca, memories for years to come...

Ithaca is preserved in the forefront of the memories of every traveller; The reasons are expressed in the decision, “I’ll be back” and in the saying of the locals, “Whoever visits, will come again” …

It is an ideal choice for the wedding of two lovers on the islet of Lazaretto. For a family reunion. For the celebration of a special anniversary, for a three-day birthday gift, a constructive workshop, or an idyllic moment far from everyone and everything….

An everlasting memory of a solitary pilgrimage of deep contemplation to the Monastery of Kathara, the delight of a perfect sunset at the Panagia of Skala in Platreithias, a swim on a windy day in the evocative gulf of Afales.

Ithaca will become a unique memory of your desire to listen to the Homeric scholars discuss the Odyssey in the place for which it was written, of the moment you stand before the Memorial of the Unknown Sailor along the promenade in Vathy, of your walk on the footpaths of Roussano and Kavelari.

Memories of solitary or group excursion, landmark experiences that are discussed in company for time to come and all who lived them feel special.

Ithaca challenges you to decide that your next significant move, personal or business … could become linked with this unique place, adored by the poets through the ages.

And why not? “If this island belonged to me, I’d bury all my books and never leave”, wrote Lord Byron, and the traveller reads it still from the stone plaque outside the Cultural Centre of Ithaca, on his walk through Vathy. Without anyone needing to explain, the traveller understands the reason fully.

Ithaca, a pilgrimage…

The civilization and culture of a specific place forms a link between its art and its religion. This is especially true for the Ionian Islands that developed their own form of cultural expression, the ‘Ionian’ or ‘Eptanisian School of art’. Faith has been expressed in a unique way in Churches, Chapels, Iconostases and belfries from the post-Byzantine era to the present.

Ithaca has many religious monuments. This makes her attractive to every visitor, regardless of religious persuasion. Ithaca transforms the religious monument into a cultural attraction. In a place as spiritual as Ithaca, the visitor will find many corners in which to pray, to meditate and to admire.

The emigration of many inhabitants to all corners of the earth, and the involvement of so many others in maritime trade, strengthened their faith. Like other Odysseus’, they look back with nostalgia to their small, precious motherland. With their selfless support, great churches were built in the centre of every settlement and in the capital, as well as many smaller, remote ones in natural surroundings. These are the small chapels that stand as our sleepless guards in the most picturesque corners of the island.

The spiritual centre of Ithaca is the Monastery of Kathara with its miracle-working Icon of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. High-up on Mount Niritos, the doors of the Monastery of the Holy Virgin are wide open to the pilgrims. It’s tall bell-tower stands as a snow-white beacon in the open seas. With the mind’s eyes it can be seen from anywhere in the world, wherever there are Ithacans.

Among the significant pilgrimage sites of the Island, is the Holy Church of St Raphael. It is not widely known that Saint Raphael, identified so closely with the Island of Lesvos as his place of martyrdom, is actually an Ithacan by birth. In the village of Perahori stands his church built on the site of his paternal home.

Ithaca, the way forward…

Ithaca, as all the Ionian Islands, does not only constitute a geographical location, but always functioned as a unique cultural setting within the rest of Greece, the “crossroads of West with the East”.
As has been written…. In Ithaca, people have travelled much, have laboured much, have loved much in all the corners of the Earth, have formed strong friendships. And this is evident in the way they think, in the way they relate with travellers, the way they speak among themselves in company, always open, as are there homes.

Life on the island is simple, quiet and with substance. The friend is part of the family and the stranger is a friend. Many varied worlds, diverse people that co-exist harmoniously in the passing of life, without deadlock-surprises, without loudmouthed conflict or fear of the Other or the Stranger, unpretentious people, naturally sweet and polite, formed over the ages.

The natural landscape facilitates and intensifies the calm acceptance of things. History, as contained in and set-forth by every stone, every aged olive tree, every old window with its lace curtain, every tiled roof and very cistern, functions as a link between the known and the unknown, the familiar and the different, smoothing the new with the wisdom of the old.

It’s therefore not coincidental that writers, artists, intellectuals, people of the arts, of the sciences and the economy seek out Ithaca - to get inspired, to work, to rest. Ithaca offers herself to her visitor, simply, directly, experientially. Aristotle Onassis who adored her, would come to fish, to drink his ouzo, to consult with his captains who were always Ithacans.

Ithaca does not take you by surprise and is not taken by surprise. Life moves slowly and brings with it the joys and sorrows of people, their loves, their children, their ideas, the small and great ventures of her inhabitants and her travellers. It is an island with a large degree of tolerance for couples of the same sex, without tensions for difference, without becoming servant to that which sparkles and is fashionable. Ithaca is the way before us… our strong, beautiful selves, without unnecessary anxieties and decorations.