Searching for a taste of unspoiled Greece? Or maybe a busy established resort would fit the bill more closely. Whatever travellers to this cluster of the Greek Ionian islands are looking for, this classy quartet has something to float everyone's boat. All four are well linked by short ferry crossings so don't wait, get hopping!
Kefalonia, Ithaka, Lefkas and Zakynthos, the islands that dangle at the southern tail of the Ionian chain, were all blessed by the Greek gods with more than their fair share of wild beauty, beaches to die for and buzzing towns to hang out in. All four hit the spot for lazy beach holidays, but each has its own distinctly different character.
After all, spread around these heavenly isles are rugged mountain landscapes carpeted with pine and cypress perfect for fragrant hiking, arguably Greece’s very finest sandy beaches and nightlife that runs the whole spectrum from low-key harbourside tavernas to the worst excesses of booze and neon-lit video bars, so it's a good idea to pick the right one from the start.
Kefalonia in brief
Kefalonia is on the whole a classy, upscale destination with a strong sailing interest centred around Fiskardo, the island's trendiest resort. A hire car is the best way to get around and explore this large island.
Ithaka in brief
Ithaka is a tiny island - little more than a pair of scorched, scrub-carpeted peaks soaring from the azure perfection of the Mediterranean. Tourist development is in its infancy and there's not a lot to do. The perfect choice for that 'get away from it all' break.
Lefkas in brief
The characterful old town of Lefkada, some of the best beaches in Greece, hiking in the mountainous interior, and the dramatic coastal scenery are four very good reasons to visit Lefkas.
Zakynthos in brief
The Vassilikos Peninsula on Zakynthos is home to rare loggerhead turtle nesting sites and divine beaches, while the wild west coast offers a glimpse into traditional village life on an island that is no stranger to mass tourism
Flights to the Ionian Islands
Direct flights leave from regional airports all over the UK with charter airlines such as Thomson, Thomas Cook, MyTravel and Monarch. Check websites for timings and best deals. The charter flight season runs from April to October.
Scheduled flights from the UK fly to Athens where Olympic Airlines connects to Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Preveza, the airport serving Lefkas, which is about 25km away on the mainland. Ithaca has no airport, but is connected by ferry with Kefalonia or Lefkas.
Getting around the Ionian Islands
Olympic Airlines flies between Kefalonia and Preveza (Lefkas), also between Kefalonia and Zakynthos, and between Zakynthos and Preveza. But who's in a hurry? - it’s far more fun to travel by ferry. However, ferry links are not always in the most user-friendly places, so taxis or a hire car are often necessary to travel between ports and hotels.
The good news is that the islands are clustered closely together so short ferry crossings are no longer than a couple of hours. Greek ferry schedules change from one year to the next and can be hilariously erratic. The latest version of the Greek Island Hopping guide published annually by Thomas Cook should help.
Although using public transport is eco-friendly and can be fun, networks on these islands are pretty rudimentary, so getting around is best done by hire car. Hire cars are cheap, but will bump up the price of ferry crossings if taken between islands. Ithaka is so tiny that a scooter should do the job.
When picking up a hire car from the airport, there's no point in taking up any deals involving a pre-paid tank of fuel, as it is unlikely that enough distance will be covered to use the whole tank and the car may end up being returned half-full of the pre-paid petrol.
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