The Ionian Islands

Sailing in the Ionian islands rising out of sparkling blue water, scattered with tiny, colourful villages nestling on the slopes of hills clad in olive and cypress, a magical experience. Women in traditional costume sit in their gardens, shaded by vines and apricot trees and surrounded by glorious profusions of flowers, gossiping as they tat intricate lacework. The gnarled fisherman in his picturesque boat nods a smiling “Yassou” of greeting, helps you to tie up at the quay, and offers the pick of his catch to be freshly cooked for your supper: mullet, lobster, swordfish, octopus.

These islands are quite different from those of the Aegean. To start with, high rainfall in the winter ensures that the hills remain green and fresh all year round. The winds are pleasant and very “friendly” thus making your sailing exceptionally enjoyable.

The whole area simply oozes historic atmosphere. It’s the setting of Homer’s Iliad, while numerous forts and other ruins bear witness to centuries of domination by Venice. Indeed, many of the olive trees date back to Venetian times, when they were widely planted to enable the islanders to pay taxes to their overlords in the form of olive oil.