The beautiful and calm Ithaca is famous for being the homeland of Odysseus (Ulysses), Homer's hero in the Odyssey, the land where the faithful Penelope waited patiently during twenty years for her husband to return from the Trojan War.

Despite his long voyage, full of adventures, Odysseus managed to return to his beloved Ithaca, which is, since this myth, symbolizing the long and difficult voyage of a life time and the joys of it, idea which Kavafis, expressed beautifully in his wonderful poem called Ithaca (Ithaki):

"When you set out on the voyage to Ithaca Pray that your journey may be long Full of adventures, full of knowledge"

This wonderful, verdant island is separated from the island of Kefalonia by a narrow canal, only 3 kilometres wide.

The east coast of the island is harsh and precipitous, contrasting with the west coast which is verdant and soft, gently sloping down to the Ionian Sea. The interior of the island is quite mountainous, covered with pine forests, cypresses, olive trees and vineyards. Enchanting coves are finishing this idyllic landscape, making it a real paradise on earth.

Fortunately, Ithaca has not yet been spoiled by mass tourism, mostly because it is an unknown destination and doesn't fit to the expectations of a lot of people who usually look for exciting nightlife, large and crowded sandy beaches, fully organized with sun beds and umbrellas and tourists everywhere.

The island offers many things to do such as endless nice walks, visits to the sleepy picturesque villages and stopping at the many archaeological sites associated with Homer's stories.The whole island is full of magic and beauties, making us understand the great love and pride of Odysseus for his homeland, a wonderful island fit for the gods themselves.