We were late starters to foreign travel due to one hundred and one reasons in our life. When we finally booked to fly abroad it was to Yugoslavia. As we arrived home from the travel agents the news on our television showed the start of the war out there. After many months we finally got our money back and picked Malta. That was an excellent holiday, but another story.

LEFKAS (lefkada) ITHAKI (ithaca) KEFALONIA
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This airport was so small that we had to stand on the tarmac until the passengers of the departing flight were through customs and on their plane. There was just no room at all. They did call it an international airport but ha ha, springs to mind. The toilets and facilities were not very clean and first impressions were not good. We were told not to take photos in the airport as it was an old military one and we could be arrested! All in all I think it is suffice to say that we started to have some doubts.

As you approach Lefkas there is a sort of bridge or causeway that links the mainland to the Island. This may have changed now. We drove over this and through Lefkas town, the islands capital, to wind our way south.

We were staying at the hotel Apollo which was slightly on the edge of town and the hotel manager drove down to pick our luggage up taking it back in a small truck.

Vassiliki is a bay which is surrounded by mountains. It is very pretty. Outside of our hotel was a small pepple beach. Walking into the town there was a long beach, but it was made up of pepples again. The sea was lovely and warm but every afternoon a wind whipped up and the bathing was not so good. However this was what made it a renowned wind surfers beach. If you did venture out the water was a bit sea weedy in an afternoon. We would sunbathe each afternoon and watch the wind surfers glide and battle in the wind. There was a taverna on the beach and as you walked back to the main harbour a row of tavernas and a few local shops.

When we were there it was still very unspoilt. Some locals did not speak much English and they were very trusting. So much so that, having eaten outside one evening, the owner would not let us in to pay as she had just washed her floor. All we got was "tomorrow, you pay tomorrow", and of course we did.

The town road was flat but it was hilly all around the Island. Ok for walking but a bit more difficult for cycling.

You could take a small ferry from Vassiliki to Porto Katsiki or a small beach around the bay in the other direction called Agios Fili. You could walk to the small beach, and we did, but it was rather a steep climb down, and there was no proper walkway. Also you needed water with you as there were no facilities there. A couple of times we walked there and got the boat back. This white stone beach was however a paradise. You could snorkel watching the myriad of fish around here. Porto Katsiki however had a taverna at the top above the beach. If you travelled to the beach by boat, and the weather was rough, as it often can be at this headland, the boat would return and not attempt to land.

Pictures of Ionian Islands (Greece)

The view through our hotel bathroom window-Lefkas-vassiliki

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We travelled first to Ithaki. We arrived in a pretty bay with a few small fishing boats and a sandy beach. Hills were all around. We were told the village was at the top and we could either wait for a lift in the back of a wagon or walk up. As time was precious we decided to walk. It was quite a slog but worth it and the views were spectacular. In the village at the top there was a few shops and tavernas. We had our lunch here and thought it would probably be a good Island to holiday on if you were looking for a tranquil stay.

Arriving back in Vassiliki bay you realise just how beautiful it is with the cloud topped mountains rising up from the sea. We visited Lefakas town and Nidri on the local bus. The bus tickets are not bad prices but remember GMT-Greek maybe time-can make the timetable erratic. We did plenty of quite long walks and found the countryside both pretty and safe. We saw the biggest butterflies ever on a walk(much bigger than a sparrow)

We did the tourist trips and the island tour was well worth it. The day we did it the heavens opened and the rain never ceased. Although it was a pain, there was not a lot else to do when it rained, so it was a good job we were on a trip. It took in the west coast were a lot of the best beaches are but they are not easily accessible. We also paid a visit to a monastery with good views over the mainland and Lefkas Town, and stunning art work.

We travelled to a few more Greek islands, having loved the above holiday, namely Cyprus, Rhodes, Crete and Thassos. We finally returned to the Ionian Islands in 2001 when we visited Zante. Laganas Bay which was our resort was over developed and very commercialised. Despite this I have very fond memories of Zante, as the island itself had some strong attractions and our accommodation, as a base, was fine.

This island also has a temperate climate hence the excessive greenery, but it can get very hot in the summer months and very wet in Spring.

This beach at certain times of year has protected Loggerhead turtles nesting on it. However less and less each year, I think. Off the beach is the main strip, a road about as long as the beach set at 90 degrees to it. This road has discos, bars, cafes, restaurants, hotels, cashpoints, chemists and just about any damn thing. So you get the picture if you want the nightlife and are not looking for the real Greece then this is for you.

The locals were friendly and still appreciated the odd yasso or calimera but they are more cynical and hardened than traditional Greeks.