Category: Ithaca

A dreamy private paradise on Ithaca island

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A lush 100-hectare coastal property is for sale on Ithaca island

 

Ulysses' Cove on Ithaca

The lovely Ulysses’ Cove property for sale on Ithaca island is shown in an aerial photo from the website FT Property Listings

 

Ionian idyll: If you’ve been dreaming about spending next summer at your own private Greek Island retreat, here’s your chance to snap up a piece of paradise in Greece’s Ionian islands — a lush, coastal property on Ithaca is up for sale.

Although it’s not an entire island, Ulysses’ Cove is nonetheless an enviable estate-sized property that measures a whopping 1 million square meters (that’s 100 hectares or 247 acres). The expansive and varied terrain encompasses rolling hills and level grounds thickly wooded with trees and verdant foliage, a long forested peninsula, and eight beguiling beaches scattered along gorgeous turquoise waters.

The property includes nine buildings that were constructed in the 1960s in a simple yet elegant style designed to blend seamlessly with the island’s natural environment. The structures include a “charming” villa and cottages that measure 849 square meters in all, and boast a reception hall, living room with fireplace, two kitchens, a formal dining room, nine bedrooms with eight bathrooms, and two rooms for staff.  The grounds feature colourful flower-filled gardens and a number of outdoor terraces that would be ideal for al fresco dining, entertaining and relaxing. What’s more, the property comes with its own caique — a 12-meter traditional Greek boat.

“This unique estate may be the ideal haven for a family seeking a private paradise, or it may be developed into an exclusive hotel or collection of holiday homes,” the listing notes.  

 

Ulysses Cove private beach on Ithaca island

One of the estate’s eight enticing private beaches is seen in an aerial photo from the Ulysses’ Cove listing on the Ploumis Sotiropoulos Real Estate Brokers website.

 

We stumbled upon the Christie’s International Real Estate listings for Ulysses’ Cove while web-surfing possible destinations for our holidays in Greece next year. One of the listings was part of an Aegean Airlines in-flight magazine advertisement by Athens-based Ploumis Sotiropoulos Real Estate Brokers, while the other appeared on FT Property Listings. Photos of the property’s interior and exterior spaces can be viewed on both websites.

 While the ads don’t mention the vendor’s asking price (it’s available only upon request), we’re fairly certain it’s a little beyond our personal holiday accommodation budget for 2023.  Still, that won’t keep us from imagining ourselves soaking up the summer sunshine on a different private beach every day of the week, hosting family and friends for drinks or BBQ parties on the hideaway’s bay-view waterfront, or spending an afternoon at sea on the Ulysses’ Cove boat.

If you, by any chance, happen to acquire Ulysses’ Cove after learning about it here on the blog, please keep us in mind when you’re planning a list of guests to invite for a holiday stay in one of the cottages. We’d love to join you there! 😉 

 

 

Travel mag suggests best Greek islands to visit in 2022

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Conde Nast Traveller best Greek Islands article

 

Island mini-guides:  If you’re hoping to pay a first-time visit to the Greek isles in 2022, or make a return trip to see one or more islands you’re not already familiar with, travel journalist Rachel Howard might help you find the places most suitable to your personal tastes and holiday priorities.

Howard writes extensively about Greece travel destinations, and her work appears regularly in leading international magazines and newspapers.

Her latest article for Conde Nast Traveller magazine,  The best Greek islands to visit in 2022, is a mini-guide that profiles nearly two dozen islands, ranging from such perenially-popular tourist magnets as Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Rhodes, to less-commercial and much quieter places in between, like Folegandros, Symi and Ithaca.

 

 

Howard’s guide suggests 23 islands she feels might be “the best” for specific traveller lifestyles and preferences, such as Serifos for “naturists and purists,”  Ithaca for “lovers and loners” seeking a “mythical retreat,” Zakynthos for “seaside holidays with toddlers or teens,” Paxos for “the perfect blend of seclusion and sophistication,” and Hydra for “a long weekend with the art crowd.” Of course, her list also includes islands that will be appealing for noteworthy natural features and distinctive local characteristics, like Amorgos for “deep blue seas and wide open spaces,” Tinos for “traditional villages and knockout tavernas,” Symi for “castaway coves and a picture-perfect port,” and Naxos for “endless sandy beaches.”

Looking for a honeymoon destination? An island renowned for exquisite cuisine? A decadent party haven or an authentic hideaway with a bohemian buzz? Howard has recommendations for islands perfect for those features, and more.

Her easy-to-read piece mentions highlight attractions on each island, top things to see and do, and places to stay.

The article is illustrated with a photo of a scene on each island (except Skiathos, for which the editors mistakenly selected a photograph of Elia beach on Mykonos), and is peppered with links to additional photo galleries, travel guides and previously-published magazine reports about some of the destinations.

 

New Ionian Islands travel guide available

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Ionian Islands travel guide

The cover of The Ionian Islands online travel guide, published by the Greek National Tourism Organisation, features a photo of a sailboat anchored near Navagio beach on Zakynthos (Zante) island

 

 

Free download: A new online travel guide for the Ionian Islands is now available from visitgreece.gr, the official website of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO).

The 88-page guide features maps, useful phone numbers, descriptions of must-see sights and must-do activities on each island, plus dozens of gorgeous full-colour photos. It’s organized into seven separate sections: Corfu, Diapontia Islands, Paxoi, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos.

The guide is available in English, German, Italian, Spanish, French and Russian versions. To obtain a copy of the guide, click on this link to the GNTO downloads page, scroll down, and click on the flag that represents the language you prefer.

Don’t be surprised if you start dreaming of a holiday in the Ionians after seeing just the first few pages of the guide! Below are two of the images that appear in the publication. click on each photo to view a fulls-size version.

 

G. Augoustinators photograph of Antisamos on Kefalonia island in Greece

The Ionian Islands guide credits photographer G. Augoustinatos for this beautiful image of Antisamos on Kefalonia

 

 

Porto Katsiki beach on Lefkada

The gorgeous sky-blue sea off Porto Katsiki beach on Lefkada. The GNTO guide credits this photograph to the Lefkada Prefecture.

 

 

Beach & coastal scenery on Ithaca, Kefalonia & Lefkada islands

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Porto Katsiki on Lefkada island

Soaring cliffs provide a breathtaking backdrop to the brilliant blue sea and soft white sand beach at Porto Katsiki on Lefkada island. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Eyes on the Ionians:  We haven’t yet travelled to the Ionian group of islands off the west coast of mainland Greece, but I’m hopeful we’ll finally get there during one of our holidays in the next several years.

There are 11 islands in the Ionian archipelago, with the largest being Zakynthos, Ithaca, Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada and Paxoi. As you’d expect from Greek islands, the Ionians boast spectacular scenery — verdant valleys, charming towns and traditional Greek fishing villages, enthralling coastal caves and grottoes, fascinating underground lakes, and beguiling white sand beaches along brilliant cerulean seas.

Franc Malečkar has captured some of that fabulous scenery in the travel photos which he has kindly permitted me to publish below.

 

coastline near Asos on Kefalonia

The magnificent coastline near the Asos peninsula on Kefalonia. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

near Asos village on Kefalonia

Overlooking the Asos peninsula on Kefalonia. A picturesque traditional village, also named Asos, is nestled around a bay on the neck of the peninsula. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Asos peninsula on Kefalonia

Another view of the Asos peninsula on Kefalonia’s northwest coast. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Kioni village on Ithaca

The harbourside at Kioni village on Ithaca. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

a valley near Valsamata on Kefalonia

A lush green valley near Valsamata on Kefalonia. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Melissani underground lake on Lefkada

Tourist boats explore the Melissani underground lake on Lefkada. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Melissani underground lake on Lefkada

Another view of tourist boats in the Melissani underground lake. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Kathisma beach Lefkada

Sunset view from Kathisma beach at Ag. Nikitas on Lefkada. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Mikro Gialos Lefkada

Tree-covered mountainsides near Mikro Gialos on Lefkada. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Mikro Gialos beach Lefkada

Mikro Gialos is a very popular family beach on Lefkada. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Porto Katsiki Lefkada

The coastline near Porto Katsiki beach on Lefkada. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Porto Katsiki beach Lefkada

Tour boat passengers enjoy a swim in the gorgeous warm turquoise water at Porto Katsiki beach on Lefkada. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Porto Katsiki beach on Lefkada

A swimmer at Porto Katsiki beach on Lefkada. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Vasiliki village on Lefkada

The tranquil harbour at Vasiliki village on Lefkada. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Myrtos beach  Kefalonia

Looking way down on Myrtos beach on Kefalonia. Photo by Franc Malečkar.

 

Pefkoulia beach on Lefkada

Pefkoulia beach on Lefkada. Photo by Franc Malečkar.